Astigmatism control.

Refractive cataract surgery has become a reality for the modern phacosurgeon, and control of astigmatism plays a vital role in this quest for optical refractive outcomes. Fortunately, a number of effective options exist to minimize postoperative cylinder. These include placing the cataract incision on the steep corneal meridians; use of adjunctive corneal or limbal relaxing incisions; or even using advanced technology, such as the excimer laser. Careful attention must be directed to the measurement of pre-existing astigmatism, and a detailed surgical strategy must then be formulated. Finally, one must be able to avail themselves of enhancement techniques to address residual astigmatism.