Can I Have Lens Replacement Surgery If I Have Astigmatism?
Yes. In most cases, patients with astigmatism can still have Lens Replacement Surgery, also known as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). During your comprehensive pre-operative assessment in Prague, your eye surgeon will measure the type and degree of your astigmatism and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Depending on your individual eyes, astigmatism may be corrected using a premium toric intraocular lens (Toric IOL) or, in selected cases, limbal relaxing incisions (LRI). The same techniques are commonly used during cataract surgery.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or, less commonly, the natural lens inside the eye. Instead of focusing light evenly on the retina, the eye produces blurred or distorted vision at different distances.
Many people with astigmatism also have:
- Short-sightedness (myopia)
- Long-sightedness (hyperopia)
- Presbyopia (age-related need for reading glasses)
Fortunately, these conditions can often be addressed during Lens Replacement Surgery.
How Is Astigmatism Corrected During Lens Replacement Surgery?
- Low astigmatism → in selected patients it may be corrected with Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) performed during surgery.
- Moderate to high astigmatism → a premium Toric IOL is usually recommended.
- The final choice depends on detailed measurements taken during your 2–3 hour diagnostic examination
Depending on your individual visual needs, toric lenses are available as:
- Toric Monofocal lenses
- Toric EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus) lenses
- Toric Trifocal lenses
Your eye surgeon will recommend the most appropriate option after your 2-3 hours comprehensive eye examination.
We use premium Toric intraocular lenses from globally recognised manufacturers, including ZEISS and Alcon.
In 2026, our refractive and cataract surgeon MUDr. Andrea Janeková, FEBO, FEBOS-CR, was selected by ZEISS Medical Technology to perform one of the world’s first implantations of the new ZEISS AT LUCIA Toric intraocular lens. This international recognition reflects her extensive experience in astigmatism correction, cataract surgery and lens replacement surgery.
How Do We Know If I Need a Toric Lens?
Every patient undergoes a 2–3 hour comprehensive diagnostic eye assessment before surgery in Prague, usually on Monday morning. During your examination, we perform detailed measurements of your eyes using advanced diagnostic technology, including corneal mapping and biometric measurements. Your results are then carefully reviewed by an experienced eye surgeon, who will recommend the lens that offers the best balance of visual quality, lifestyle needs and long-term results. The final decision is always based on your individual eyes—not on a standard treatment plan.
Why Is a Comprehensive Eye Examination So Important?
Selecting the correct Toric lens is not based on your glasses prescription alone. Your surgeon evaluates multiple factors including corneal curvature, the amount and axis of astigmatism, eye health, pupil size, retinal health and your lifestyle. This personalised approach helps achieve the most predictable long-term visual outcome
Can I Wear Contact Lenses Before My Examination?
To ensure the most accurate measurements for your intraocular lens (IOL), you should stop wearing contact lenses at least five days before your comprehensive eye examination in Prague. Contact lenses can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea, which may affect the accuracy of the measurements used to select your new lens.
Will Lens Replacement Surgery Completely Eliminate My Astigmatism?
Many patients achieve a significant reduction in astigmatism after surgery and enjoy much clearer vision without relying on glasses. However, the results depend on several factors, including:
- the amount of astigmatism
- the health of your eyes
- the type of intraocular lens selected
- your individual healing process
Your surgeon will discuss the expected outcome during your consultation and explain what level of vision you can realistically expect.
Is Astigmatism Treated the Same Way During Cataract Surgery?
Yes. The principles are very similar because both Lens Replacement Surgery (Refractive Lens Exchange) and Cataract Surgery replace the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). If a patient has significant astigmatism, a premium toric lens may be recommended during either procedure to improve vision and reduce dependence on glasses.
Can I Still Be Suitable for Premium Trifocal Lenses?
In many cases, yes. Patients with astigmatism can often benefit from premium Toric Trifocal lenses, allowing them to enjoy clear distance, intermediate and near vision while also correcting astigmatism. The suitability of trifocal lenses depends on your eye health, the amount of astigmatism and your lifestyle requirements. During your consultation, your surgeon will explain whether a Toric Trifocal lens, Toric EDOF lens or another option is most appropriate for you.
Does Astigmatism Make Lens Replacement Surgery More Expensive?
Not necessarily. The cost depends on the amount of astigmatism and the treatment recommended by your eye surgeon following your comprehensive pre-operative assessment. Patients with minor astigmatism may be suitable for Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI), performed during surgery to reduce astigmatism.
- LRI (Limbal Relaxing Incisions): €120 (£110) per eye
Patients with moderate or higher astigmatism usually benefit from a premium Toric intraocular lens (Toric IOL). Depending on your visual needs, Toric lenses are available as Monofocal, EDOF (Vivity) or Trifocal lenses.
Our current package for Lens replacement prices with premium Toric lenses include:
- Monofocal Toric lenses in both eyes: €2,400 (£2,150)
- One Monofocal Toric lens + one Monofocal lens: €2,200 (£2,000)
- One Trifocal Toric (or Vivity Toric) lens + one Trifocal (or Vivity) lens: €3,850 (£3,400)
- Trifocal Toric (or Vivity Toric) lenses in both eyes: €4,100 (£3,600)
All Lens replacement surgery package prices include your comprehensive eye examination, surgeon consultation, surgery, premium intraocular lenses, post-operative care, airport transfers and complimentary taxi transfers between your hotel and the eye clinic during your stay in Prague.
Every patient is different. For this reason, we do not recommend a particular lens or treatment before your comprehensive eye examination in Prague. Following your 2–3 hour diagnostic assessment, your eye surgeon will determine whether you are suitable for Monofocal, Toric, EDOF (Vivity) or Trifocal lenses, or whether another treatment option would provide the best long-term visual outcome. You will then receive a personalised treatment plan together with a fixed quotation, so you know exactly what is included before making your decision.
Can Astigmatism Come Back After Lens Replacement Surgery?
The astigmatism corrected during surgery does not usually return. However, your vision may change over time because of other age-related eye conditions or changes to the cornea. During your follow-up examinations, your eye specialist will monitor your vision and eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can astigmatism be corrected during Lens Replacement Surgery?
Yes. Most patients with astigmatism can be treated using a premium toric intraocular lens specifically designed to correct astigmatism.
Are toric lenses worth it?
For patients with clinically significant astigmatism, toric lenses can provide sharper vision and reduce dependence on glasses compared with standard intraocular lenses.
Will I still need glasses if I have astigmatism?
Many patients become much less dependent on glasses after surgery. However, the outcome depends on your eyes, the type of lens selected and your individual visual goals.
Is a toric lens used during cataract surgery?
Yes. Premium toric intraocular lenses are commonly used during cataract surgery as well as refractive lens exchange to correct astigmatism.
Not sure whether your astigmatism can be corrected?
Send us your glasses prescription or your latest eye examination results. Our English-speaking Patient Coordinator will arrange a free surgeon pre-assessment before you travel to Prague. After your comprehensive eye examination, your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate treatment and explain all available lens options.
Apply for a free email consultation by clicking on the button FREE CONSULTATION or contact us, SEND YOUR PRESCRIPTION via Whatsapp at +420 775 178 715.
