What is the difference between Rx cyl astigmatism vs Corneal astigmatism?

[coppp]

Will be having Toric IOLs for cataract lens exchange.  After a corneal topography I was told my corneal astigmatism is 2.7cyl (LE) and 2.9cyl (RE).  Just realized it is way different from my glasses RX cyl, which is -1.25cyl (LE) and -0.75cyl (RE).  What is the difference between these two astigmatisms, shouldn't they be fairly similar?

[JohnHaganMD]

Generally there is agreement between glasses astigmatism and corneal astigmatism. However some people have astigmatism caused by the lens of the eye (lenticular astigmatism)  It can make glasses astigmatism worse or, as in your case, better.  Generally only corneal astigmatism is treated with toric IOL or refractive cornea surgery as the non-round lens is removed and replaced by a spherical IOL.

[coppp]

Thank you Dr Hagan

Ahh so glasses astigmatism is a combination of both corneal and lenticular astigmatism.  I did have my LE surgery already done, during my 3wk optician appt, I resulted in -0.75cyl astigmatism left. Does that mean I have -0.75cyl lenticular astigmatism and is there a procedure that can fix that?

[JohnHaganMD]

If you had cataract/IOL surgery LE with spherical IOL than the residual 0.75 diopters of astigmatism is corneal as the IOL is spherical.   If the residual astigmatism bothers you, and you have the financial resources and access to a refractive surgery you would have astigmatic corneal laser surgery.  There is an old procedure LRI (limbal relaxing incisions) but I don't recommend them now the lasers are available.