Correcting Cataracts and Astigmatism: Understanding the Difference

Older Gentleman

Cataracts and astigmatism are two very different things.

A cataract is the clouding of the natural human lens, typically occurring after the age of 60. Astigmatism is an irregularity of the shape of the cornea, and it generally presents itself in the teens or early twenties. Astigmatism is usually hereditary, whereas cataracts are age-related. In the past decade, there have been many advances in the types and styles of intraocular lens implants. These are the lenses that are placed in the eye after the natural lens (the cataract) has been removed. Until recently, these implanted lenses could not correct corneal astigmatism, so postoperative patients had to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses after surgery.

Now, all of this has changed with the advent of astigmatism correcting intraocular lenses (also called Toric IOL’s). This is great news! Our doctors have implanted many of these lenses since their approval, and the patient satisfaction is extraordinary.

Astigmatism is no longer a barrier to great uncorrected vision after cataract surgery. For decades, we have heard patients refer to astigmatism as if it were almost a disease. We heard comments like, “I can’t have LASIK because I have an astigmatism,” or, “I had my cataract removed, but I still need glasses because of my astigmatism.” Well, we have been able to correct corneal astigmatism during Laser Vision Correction (LASIK or PRK) for 20+ years, and now we can correct astigmatism beautifully during cataract surgery. These are tremendous advances for patients who have suffered with poorly corrected astigmatism. We now have a lot of options that result in great spectacle independence!


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Our locations

1209 York Road,
Lutherville, MD, 21093
410-821-9490
Hours
Monday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00am-6:30pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

301 Saint Paul Place
Professional Office Building
Suites 514 & 902
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-8380
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

Ridge Road Professional Center
7106 Ridge Road
Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 866-2022
Hours
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive
Suite 202
Abingdon, MD 21009
410-569-0707
Hours
Mon: 8am-4pm
Tue: 8am-6pm
Wed: 8am-5pm
Thu: 8am-5pm
Fri: 8am-4pm

111 Mt Carmel Rd #600
Parkton, MD 21120
410-329-6700
Hours
Hours:
Monday 8:30am - 6:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
NO SATURDAY HOURS In November & December.
We will resume normal business for the 2nd and 4th Saturdays beginning the New Year 2024.

Optical Opens at 9:00am each day.

310 Main Street
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-5515
Hours
Mon 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tues 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Weds (CLOSED)
Thurs 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat (First and Third Saturday of the month): 8:00am - 1:00pm

21 Crossroads Drive
Suite 425
Owings Mills, MD 21117
443-738-4270
Hours
Tues & Thur: 8 am-5 pm
Fri: 8 am-4 pm

901 Dulaney Valley Road
Suite 200
Towson, MD 21204
410-583-1000
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm