A Taiwanese review concluded toric IOLs are the preferred choice for astigmatism correction in cataract patients, with femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) serving as a viable alternative when toric IOLs are contraindicated. 

Researchers at Taipei’s Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center conducted a meta-analysis of nine studies with a total of 590 participants. They found toric IOLs could result in less postoperative refractive cylinder and provide better uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) compared with FSAK.  

FSAK showed a smaller correction index and lower mean target- and surgically induced astigmatism compared with toric IOLs, they reported in British Journal of Ophthalmology. Neither method was associated with severe untreatable complications, they said.