Policy name: Toric intraocular lens implants
Status: Not funded
Effective date: 1 April 2026
Next review date: 1 April 2031
Essex ICB does not routinely commission the use of Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) implants.
Toric IOLs are a type of artificial lens used during cataract surgery that are specifically designed to correct regular corneal astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball than a sphere, causing light to focus unevenly on the retina and resulting in blurred or distorted vision. Toric lenses contain built-in astigmatic correction to neutralise this uneven curvature.
Toric IOLs are considered ‘premium’ lenses and are significantly more expensive than the standard monofocal IOLs routinely used in NHS cataract surgery. Standard monofocal lenses correct vision at a single focal point and remain the commissioned lens type within the NHS.
Toric lenses represent a refractive upgrade rather than a clinically necessary intervention, and there is insufficient evidence that they provide a cost-effective benefit over standard monofocal IOLs at a population level.
Cataract surgery will continue to be commissioned with standard monofocal intraocular lenses in line with the SRP 033 Cataracts/Lens Extraction.
This service/procedure has been assessed as a Low Clinical Priority by MSE ICB and will not be funded unless there are exceptional clinical circumstances.
Individual funding requests should only be made where the patient demonstrates clinical exceptionality
Further information on applying for funding in exceptional clinical circumstances can be found on the ICB’s website.
References:
Cataracts in adults-management NICE NG77 Published: 26 October 2017
Assessing the budget impact of toric lens surgery in the NHS – Health Economics Unit