title: Combined toric intraocular lens implantation and relaxing incisions to reduce high preexisting astigmatism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether combining toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with astigmatic keratotomy (AK) can correct higher levels of astigmatism while minimizing undue effects on the optical qualities of the cornea.
  
  
  METHODS
  St. Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen eyes with corneal astigmatism greater than 2.50 diopters (D) (mean 5.54 D) had implantation of a Staar toric IOL combined with AK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All eyes had less than 1.00 D of refractive astigmatism postoperatively. Sixty-nine percent achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and no patient lost best corrected visual acuity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implanting a toric IOL in patients with high astigmatism reduced the amount of incisional surgery required. Combining techniques can correct all or most of even very high astigmatism (>5.00 D) while avoiding induced corneal irregularities.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA. drgills@stlukeseye.com
authors.forename: James p
authors.initials: Jp
authors.lastname: Gills
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van der Karr
authors.forename: Myra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cherchio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity