Typical of life’s ironies is that within a day or so of my last post (stating nothing much was going on with advanced IOLs in the US) the FDA would finally approve the higher power toric IOLs from Alcon. What this means is that US patients with higher astigmatism can now have that corrected with an IOL at the same time as cataract surgery.
These newer IOL models will correct astigmatism ranging from 2.5-4D (prior models corrected up to two diopters). The SN6AT6-SN6AT9 Toric lens models will be available to order on June 3rd so patients who were waiting for these IOLs won’t have too much longer to wait.
Now, time to take another long nap as we wait for the FDA to approve the next advanced IOL in the pipeline: the AMO Synchrony. Yawn…
DO NEED THE ASTIGMATISM LENS BUT VERY EXPENSIVE.
DOES THE COMPANY OFFER ANY COUPONS TO HELP WITH THE COST?
INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY FOR THESE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
DONITA CERZA
I’m not aware of any coupons available for this lens. Up until recently the demand was so high that there was a waiting list for the higher power toric IOLs. With that kind of demand, there is no financial reason for Alcon to offer coupons.
I am 58 years old & scheduled for bilateral cataract removal surgery in December.
I’ve been given 2 options for lens implant: 1) Standard implant for distance vision covered by insurance. 2) Toric Lens for distance vision that also incorporates astigmatism correction, costing $1400 out-of-pocket.
My astigmatism diopter is -1.25 for right eye & -1.00 for left eye. Are these diopters a strong enough astigmatism to justify need of Toric lens implant? I am having a difficult time making a decision between option #1 & #2, but must decide by Monday 11-21-2011. All input and personal experiences most welcome. Thank you.
I am sorry that I have not had the time to attend to this blog for most of November. My preference for astigmatism correction of one diopter or more is the Alcon Toric IOL. Although limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) can correct astigmatism of up to two diopers, they just are not as predictable or reliable as the Toric IOL.
Hi DrDavid. How is the astigmatism reading figured? I am scheduled to get the Alcon Toric when my cataract surgery is done next friday. The tech keeps saying I’m a “plus 6”, but my contact lens presription reads: -4.50 -0.75 x20 and -4.50 -1.75 x180 I don’t have my prescription for glasses. Where does she get the “plus 6”? Also, if I’m not a good candidate for monofocal, should I just get a standard lens implant instead of the premiums? And just continue wearing glasses/contacts, which don’t bother me. I’m also very concerned about rotation issues, and am very anti-medical… Read more »
Dear Joni,
I’m afraid I can’t give you specific advice without examining your eyes. However, what I can tell you is that the Alcon Toric has a very low rotation rate (especially when compared to the Staar Toric IOL). I don’t know what the “plus 6” is referring to, but any concerns you have prior to surgery should be addressed directly to the surgeon who is the one who will be choosing your IOL (or at least would be if I was your surgeon).
Hi,
Can you have lense replacement surgery to correct vision and an astigmatism if the patient does not have cataracts? Lasix surgery is not a route I want to go down so I was considering lense replacement but was informed that my astigmatism prevents me from having this surgery. My opthamologist informed me that they offer this procedue in Europe but I am having difficulty finding any information. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Although it is possible to correct limited amounts of astigmatism in the USA with clear lens exchange or cataract surgery, there is currently no FDA approved IOL that is both a “multifocal” plus astigmatism correcting IOL. In other words, correcting the astigmatism for distance would leave someone dependent on “cheaters” for computer and reading tasks. Elsewhere in the world there are IOLs that are both multifocal and astigmatism correcting. Perhaps by 2013 or 2014 those of us in the USA will have this option.
Dr David I will submit to your expertise sir. As he said it is possible in Europe. I had worn glasses since the age of 6 and had an astigmatism in left eye and my eyesight had deteriorated to the point that even with glasses I could not read fine print. After researching and the various price option I decided to have the operation performed in Kazan Russia. I am very happy with the result. Material I used to need a magnifying glass along with my glasses 🙂 I no longer need either. Sometimes I actually forget what it used… Read more »
I should have stated up above regarding seeing outlines of letters on the computer screen. It no longer occurs. The other thing is I was not able to do rigorous exercise (running hard, jumping, etc) for 6 months. I have just returned to moderate jogging and will slowly get back to normal exercise. Just taking good care of the old eyes.
ARE CLINICAL TRIALS UNDERWAY IN THE U.S. FOR A MULTIFOCAL/TORIC IOL ?