Toric intraocular lens vs. peripheral corneal relaxing inci- sions to correct astigmatism in eyes undergoing cataract surgery.

To compare toric intraocular lens implantation (Toric-IOL) with peripheral corneal relaxing incisions (PCRIs) for astigmatism correction in patients undergoing cataract surgery.54 patients (54 eyes) with more than 0.75 diopter (D) of preexisting corneal astigmatism were classified as group A (0.75-1.50D) or group B (1.75-2.50D). The patients were randomized to undergo Toric-IOL or PCRIs in the steep axis with spherical IOL implantation. LogMAR uncorrected visual acuity (LogMAR UCVA), LogMAR best corrected visual acuity (LogMAR BCVA), error of vector (|EV|), surgery induced refraction correction (|SIRC|), and correction rates (CR) were measured 1 month and 6 months postoperatively.At 6 months postoperatively, all 54 eyes had LogMAR BCVA ≤ 0.2. Patients who underwent PCRIs and Toric-IOL with LogMAR BCVA ≤ 0.1 showed no significant differences in group A (P = 1.00) or in group B (P = 0.59). Group A showed no significant differences in LogMAR UCVA (P = 0.70), |EV| (P = 0.13), |SIRC| (P = 0.71), and CR (P = 0.56) in patients underwent PCRIs and Toric-IOL. However, group B showed significant differences in LogMAR UCVA (P < 0.01), |EV| (P < 0.01)), |SIRC| (P < 0.01), and CR (P < 0.01). The LogMAR UCVA and |EV| between 1 and 6 months showed no significant differences in patients in group A. However, in group B, they are significant differences.The efficacy and stability of Toric-IOL and PCRIs were equal in low astigmatic patients. Toric-IOL achieved an enhanced effect over PCRIs in higher astigmatic patients. PCRIs had the more refractive regression than Toric-IOL in 6 months.