Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effectiveness of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in reducing astigmatism in patients undergoing cataract surgery by resident surgeons.
Methods: :
A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients undergoing resident-performed cataract surgery with a toric IOL at a United States Veterans Affairs Medical Center from January 1, 2007 to December 1, 2011. The preoperative corneal astigmatism and postoperative manifest refractive cylinder were compared to determine the effectiveness of the toric implant in reducing astigmatism. The primary outcome measure was the reduction in astigmatism. Secondary outcome measures were mean postoperative spherical refractive error, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and distance spectacle independence, defined as UCVA of ≥ 20/40. Exclusion criteria included patients with prior intraocular surgery, ocular comorbidities that could significantly reduce BCVA, and significant intraoperative and/or postoperative complications. Patients without follow up within 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively were also excluded.
Results: :
Eighty-eight eyes from 73 patients received toric IOLs during the study period; 57 eyes from 48 patients met the study inclusion criteria. The mean reduction in astigmatism was 1.36 D ±1.03. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was 0.04 D ± 0.48; UCVA ≥ 20/25 was present in 79% (45/57) of eyes; BCVA was ≥ 20/25 in 95% (54/57) of eyes; Spectacle independence was achieved in 100% (57/57 eyes).
Conclusions: :
Toric IOLs are effective in reducing astigmatism in patients undergoing resident-performed cataract surgery. Future research is needed to assess the impact of toric IOLs on the quality of life in this patient cohort.