Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI) is a refractive procedure used to treat astigmatism. Astigmatism is present when the cornea is not spherical, i.e., it is steeper in one meridian than the opposite meridian 180 degrees away. The cornea with astigmatism may be thought of as being more football shaped rather than round. LRIs are incisions placed in the far periphery of the cornea in the steep axis, which will result in a rounding of the cornea and a reduction of the astigmatism. By reducing the astigmatism, the vision is improved.

The procedure can be completed in a few seconds after numbing the eye with anesthetic drops. There is usually little if any post-operative discomfort. The procedure is very safe and is not associated with glare or starburst because the incisions are placed in the far periphery, well outside of the visual axis. Furthermore, the cornea is usually stable within a week, indicating that visual fluctuations have typically resolved by that time interval. 

Limbal relaxing incisions are commonly used during cataract-intaocular lens implant surgery to reduce pre-existing astigmatism, resulting in improved unaided visual acuity.
 
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