When you are undergoing cataract surgery, it might also be a good idea to also have your astigmatism corrected. While the majority of surgeons do address astigmatism, there are some that don't, and there are several reasons why you should make sure your astigmatism is corrected.
Why You Should Correct Your Astigmatism After Cataract Surgery
Your refractive astigmatism might increase after cataract surgery. This can have an impact on your vision that is very noticeable. The good news is that you can have your astigmatism improved significantly if your cataract surgeon corrects it. Your vision will be better than it was even before your eyes developed cataracts.
You may develop diseases years after having your cataracts removed. By correcting for astigmatism, you will have a much better long-term outlook.
For example, you may develop dry eye in the future, and this might reduce your visual acuity. Many future eye diseases would require challenging refractions and spectacles for distance vision.
If you have a multifocal lens, residual astigmatism after a cataract surgery can lead to a reduction in contrast that can be compounded by other eye diseases. Astigmatism is the easiest of these comorbidities to correct.
How the Limbal Relaxing Incision Surgery Works
The limbal relaxing incisions to correct astigmatism involves making incisions that cause a slight flattening of the cornea. This is often accomplished using a femtosecond laser.
The procedure is simpler and less expensive than other procedures, such as LASIK surgery. You will be prepared for the surgery by the surgeon cleaning your eyes and placing a sterile drape over your eyes. Anesthetic eye drops numb your eyes. Because your eyes will be completely numb, you are unlikely to feel pain. Saline solution keeps your eyes moist.
Your cataract surgeon is able to treat low and moderate levels of astigmatism. For more serious cases, more complex and aggressive procedures might be necessary than limbal relaxing incisions.
After the surgery, you will be given more eye drops, and your eyes will be shielded to protect them while they recover. Your vision will probably be blurry initially.
Recovery from both cataract surgery and the limbal relaxing incision will require that you do not perform strenuous activities, that you avoid touching your eyes, and that you rest and relax as much as you can.
If you experience some pain, it can usually be treated with over-the-counter pain medications. Afterward, your vision will be much better and you will have a better long-term outcome.
For more information, contact an eye clinic such as the eye center inc.
