Abstract

Postoperative astigmatism following intraocular lens (IOL) implantation has been found clinically (Jolson & Seidel, 1984) and has been discussed, for example, by Moore (1980), Binkhorst (1979) and Maltzman et al. (1983). Astigmatism, though primarily corneal in origin, may occur elsewhere along the visual axis including the lens implant and position of the fovea relative to the effective optic axis of the eye. Moore compared 100 IOL implant cases with 328 non-implant cases and found that postoperative astigmatism was proportionately far higher in the implant group. Tilting of the IOL was suggested as one of the factors which caused this astigmatism. Binkhorst also suggested that the astigmatism was purely optical. Miller & Doane (1984) presented evidence of tilt or wobble of iris-supported IOL’s due to rotation of the visual axis of the globe. We have determined tilt angle from postmortem cadaver eyes, and have computed the amount of spherical and cylindrical powers that are induced due to the tilt as well as that to lateral movement of the IOL.

© 1985 Optical Society of America