Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI)

While the standard cataract surgery can restore your blurry vision and eliminate nearsightedness or farsightedness, it  cannot correct other refractive errors such as astigmatism. Astigmatism is when the cornea is elliptical rather than spherical.  Slight astigmatism can cause blurred vision while strong astigmatism can cause headaches and eyestrain at all distances.

Enter Limbal Relaxing Incisions or LRIs. LRIs are grooved incisions placed on the far peripheral aspect of the cornea (the limbus) resulting in a cornea that is more perfectly shaped.  The astigmatism is thus reduced and  vision  improved.  The reduction or elimination of the astigmatism results in better quality vision without glasses. After an LRI procedure you will not need glasses for good vision at distance however, reading glasses will still be required for near.

Advantages:

• Elimination of astigmatism
• Sharp vision for distance without glasses
• 98% success rate
• Minimal cost
• Easily combined with other procedures

Disadvantages:

• Limited effectiveness for high degrees of astigmatism
• Not covered by insurance
• Does not eliminate need for reading glasses