Cataract surgery for hi astigmatism and hi myopic

[lescusa]

I've worn glasses since i was 6 and now have cataracts.  My right eye is worse than the left.  The surgeon has offered either Toric IOL or CrystalLens.  My questions are since 1. I have both myopia and astigmatism will I be able to see after the surgery if i go with the Crystal Lens.  2. It is my understanding that Toric lens would correct my astigmatism--does that mean my nearsigtedness would correct also.  I really dont have a problem needing to wear glasses after the surgery.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Good luck and you are welcome
JCH MD

[lescusa]

Thank you both for the information.  i was so overwhelmed at the surgeon's office that I really couldn't think of questions at that time.  
Your comments are having mean lean more towards the toric.
Thanks again for the the quick response and the information.

[JodieJ]

You sound like a great candidate for toric IOLs.  A mini monovision correction (distance vision in dominant eye, intermediate in nondominant eye) would allow you to reduce your dependence on glasses.  The Crystalens does not correct astigmatism, which impairs your vision at all distances.  You would need an additional procedure such as limbal relaxing incisions or LASIK, depending on how much astigmatism you have.  (Your sugeon should have explained these options to you.)

Best case scenario: If your surgeon is experienced with both toric lenses and the Crystalens, (with a little luck) you would have excellent distance and intermediate vision and some near vision with either mini-monovision (with toric lenses) or the Crystalens (with an additional astigmatism-correcting procedure.)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives to read about Crystalens and toric IOLs. Both IOLs correct myopia, the toric also corrects astigmatism. Crystalens may correct for presbyopia or inability to focus due to age, toric IOL doesn't.

Either way you should expect to wear glasses some or most of the time for best vision

JCHMD