Toric IOLs slightly more effective than corneal procedures in correcting astigmatism in cataract patients

Researchers randomized 40 patients (40 eyes) with more than 1D of pre-existing corneal astigmatism to undergo phacoemulsification and either AcrySof toric IOL implantation or paired 2.75 mm/3.20 mm opposite clear corneal incision in the steep axis with spherical IOL implantation. Three months after surgery, more patients in the toric group could see 20/25 or better uncorrected (70 percent versus 50 percent), and more eyes were within ± 0.50 J(0) (95 percent versus 70 percent). While contrast sensitivity was similar in both groups, it was better in the toric group at high spatial frequencies.