Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI's)

Limbal Relaxing Incisions ("LRI's"), a form of Astigmatic Incisions, are a vision correction procedure that can help reduce Astigmatism (blurry vision whether near or far) and thereby improve your vision. 

Limbal Relaxing Incisions can help reduce Astigmatism, but will have no effect in correcting any nearsightedness, farsightedness or reading problems (Presbyopia) that you have as you will need glasses, contact lenses, or another treatment or procedure to correct that particular aspect of your vision. LRIs may be performed in conjunction with any a lens implant procedure including RLE/CLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) and Cataract Surgery in order to reduce Astigmatism. Limbal Relaxing Incisions may be very helpful for people with significant Astigmatism who have been corrected for Monovision. 

If you prefer videos, please click on the play button below to learn more about astigmatism and the use of Limbal Relaxing Incisions.

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Limbal Relaxing Incisions may be made directly with a special diamond scalpel or a femtosecond laser. Your refractive surgeon will measure the thickness of your cornea and use wavefront or corneal mapping technologies or a micrometer to set the blade depth or program the laser in order to properly make these incisions. The length of these incisions is generally determined by the amount of astigmatism you have.

Limbal Relaxing Incisions are a refractive surgery procedure that can help improve your vision for:

• Astigmatism (Blurry Vision)

How Are Limbal Relaxing Different From Arcuate Incisions?  

Limbal Relaxing Incisions and Arcuate Incisions are  both Astigmatic Incisions that can correct different levels of Astigmatism.  Both of these procedures can also be performed manually (with a blade) or with a laser (the femtosecond laser).  

However, LRIs and Arcuate Incisions are performed in different in places on your eye.  Limbal Relaxing Incisions are placed in the limbus, the outer edge of the cornea which is  just inside the white portion of the eye (sclera), whereas Arcuate Incisions are placed in the more central clear portion of the cornea. Please see our discussion on Astigmatic Incisions to learn more about these types of corneal relaxing incisions. 

Limbal Relaxing Incisions in Connection with Lens Implant and Cataract Surgery Procedures  

Limbal Relaxing Incisions may also be performed in connection with lens implant procedures like RLE/CLE and Cataract Surgery. LRIs are typically not covered by insurance so patients selecting this vision correction procedure typically will need to pay an additional fees for use of the laser and for the refractive surgeon's services to perform the LRI procedure.  

Additional Resources

For more information about Limbal Relaxing Incisions:

• EyeWiki- Limbal Relaxing Incisions (provided by the AAO) 
• Eye Wiki- Limbal Relaxing Incisions at the Time of Cataract Surgery (provided by AAO)
• Wikipedia- Limbal Relaxing Incisions

How Should I Choose a Refractive Surgeon to Perform either Limbal Relaxing or Arcuate Incisions?

Astigmatic Incisions, such as Limbal Relaxing Incisions, are refractive surgery procedures that are not performed by all LASIK nor all cataract surgeons. Therefore, we recommend that you find a expert refractive eye surgeon who offers a full range of lens implant (IOL), laser vision correction and refractive surgery options since such an eye surgeon can (a) properly diagnose and assess your astigmatism and any other vision problems you have, (b) recommend the best course of treatment, and (c) successfully perform the most appropriate procedures or procedures to correct your eyesight to help you attain your best possible vision.

How to Find a Highly Qualified and Experienced Surgeon for Limbal Relaxing  Incisions

Both our Trusted LASIK Surgeons^TM and our Trusted Cataract Surgeons^TM directories feature highly qualified LASIK and refractive eye surgery experts who have proven experience, are active in the field of refractive surgery, and have been professionally recognized for their research, accomplishments, and contributions in advancing vision correction care.

To find a vision correction expert surgeon who has qualified to be listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons^TM, please visit:

  Find a Trusted LASIK Surgeon™ and Find a Trusted Cataract Surgeon™ 

Many of the vision correction surgeons in our LASIK and cataract surgeon directories  perform Limbal Relaxing Incisions and Arcuate Incisions and are among the leading experts (either locally, statewide or nationwide) when it comes to any vision correction surgery procedure.  In other words, the typical surgeon listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons^TM is not simply a LASIK, cataract or cataract surgeon but an expert in the field as well. 

The screening process and standards used by Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ can be found at:

How Are LASIK Surgeons Qualified at Trusted LASIK Surgeons™?