Refractive cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed refractive procedure in the world today. Improvements in the calculation of intraocular lens power and design have allowed complete spherical correction of preexisting refractive error with intraocular lens implantation. Advances in incision construction have improved the refractive results of cataract surgery by minimizing surgically induced astigmatism. Astigmatism and pseudophakic presbyopia continue as the primary indications for spectacle correction following cataract surgery. Improvements in the technique of correcting preexisting astigmatism with cataract surgery have improved the uncorrected visual outcome of cataract surgery. The application of these advances in technology over the past year has demonstrated that full refractive correction of the cataract patient is now possible.