If you have cylindrical power or astigmatism as we commonly know it, your vision becomes blurred or distorted. You get a cylindrical number when your cornea has an irregular curvature, affecting how light focuses on the retina. The condition poses not just visual problems but also makes daily activities challenging. What causes cylindrical power? How to manage it? Today, we are going to delve into these questions to find out the answers, so that you can enjoy optimal vision.
What is Cylindrical Eye Power?
A normal cornea is spherical and even, which allows light to focus at one point on the retina. However, if you have cylindrical power, the cornea lacks proper round shape. It resembles a rugby ball. The result? Instead of focusing on one point, light focuses on multiple points, resulting in visual distortions. If you are aware of the cylindrical power symptoms, you can get the right treatment which will enable you to improve your vision and lower eye strain.
What are the Symptoms of Cylindrical Power?
Symptoms of cylindrical power vary from person to person depending on how severe their condition is. Let’s have a look:
Blurry or Distorted Vision
Astigmatism is very different from myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). It makes images look wavy, skewed, stretched, or hazy – at close as well as far distances.
Eye Strain and Headaches
When you keep straining your eyes to see clearly, you may tend to suffer from headaches. Also, your eyes feel tired. It is more so after spending a long time reading or using the screen.
Poor Night Vision
When light is dim in surroundings, there may be more visual distortion and sensitivity to glare. You may experience excessive reflections, halos around lights, and poor sensitivity to contrast. This may make night driving hazardous.
Frequent Changes in Eye Glasses Number
If there are frequent changes in your refractive error, it may be because of two reasons – increasing astigmatism or development of keratoconus or some other eye condition.
Double Vision (Diplopia)
In cases of high astigmatism, the patient may see overlapping images because light does not focus properly on the retina. Double Vision patients find it challenging to focus.
What Causes Cylindrical Power in Eyes?
When the curvature of the cornea is uneven, light refraction is not proper, which leads to cylindrical power. Here are the causes that lead to individuals developing astigmatism:
Family History
If one or both parents have astigmatism, you have a high probability of developing the same. Genetics hugely influences the shape of the cornea, which is why astigmatism runs in families.
Eye Trauma
Eye injuries can modify the cornea’s shape, resulting in cylindrical power. Corneal curvature may change due to physical injuries, accidental pokes, or post-surgery complications.
Keratoconus
A progressive eye condition which causes thinning of the cornea, and makes it bulge out into a conical shape, keratoconus aggravates over time and if not treated in time, results in severe astigmatism.
Surgical Complications
Sometimes eye procedures, such as LASIK or cataract surgery, may be the reason behind cylindrical power – if the cornea does not heal evenly. If it happens, additional corrective measures may be needed. For instance, further surgeries or toric lenses.
Repetitive Eye Strain
Although eye strain itself does not cause astigmatism, it can exacerbate symptoms and aggravate discomfort. Prolonged screen time, poor lighting, and too much close up work may be a contributing factor to minor prescription changes over time.
How is Cylindrical Eye Power Treated?
Based on how serious the condition is and your way of living, there are several options in cylindrical eye power treatment:
Prescription Glasses
Spectacles with toric lenses are a preferred choice of individuals. These eyeglasses are designed to rectify cylindrical power by making up for the unevenness in the curvature of the cornea. Specs are a comfortable solution to manage astigmatism.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses (toric lenses) are another way to treat astigmatism. They provide a wider vision field. You can choose between soft and hard gas-permeable toric lenses. Toric lenses rectify cylindrical power with better efficacy as they adjust focus at different angles to enable you to see properly. This feature is not present in standard spherical lenses.
Refractive Eye Surgery
With advancements in eye technologies, today we have refractive surgeries – LASIK, PRK, LASEK, Epi-LASIK, SMILE, Contoura Vision, and SmartSurf that can treat astigmatism for good, and you may not need to wear glasses again. If your vision has been stable for a year and you have good eye health with no underlying conditions, you can get your cylindrical power corrected with refractive surgery.
The Bottom Line
Cylindrical power or astigmatism is an eye condition that gives distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Its causes can range from genetics to eye injury, other eye conditions, and complications from eye surgeries. The good news is that today we have several treatment options to help you get rid of astigmatism. You can wear spectacles or contacts, or choose from a range of refractive eye surgeries.
Sohana Eye Hospital, a trusted eye hospital in Chandigarh that has been restoring vision in people since 1995, provides all the treatments for cylindrical eye power – from prescription eye wear and contact lenses to modern refractive eye surgeries. Experienced and highly qualified eye specialists, latest eye technologies, and world-class infrastructure – all at affordable prices – if that is what you are looking for, you must visit Sohana Eye Hospital.
FAQs
Is cylindrical power harmful?
No. We cannot say cylindrical power or astigmatism is harmful. Cylindrical power just means the eye’s surface is shaped a bit differently (elongated instead of spherical), which causes blurry or distorted vision. With the right treatment, you can see clearly and avoid any long-term damage.
Does cylindrical power increase with age?
Yes. There can be some changes with age, especially during childhood or as the eyes naturally change in adulthood. But it does not mean that things will always get worse. In fact, many people have stable cylindrical power for years. Regular eye check-ups are necessary to keep a track of your cylindrical power.
How to reduce cylindrical power?
The only treatments for cylindrical power are prescription glasses, contact lenses, and refractive eye surgery. Taking care of your eye health may support stable vision.
Can eye exercises cure cylindrical power?
No. Eye exercises cannot cure cylindrical power because it is the shape of the cornea and not weak eye muscles that cause cylindrical power. However, specific eye exercises may help reduce eye strain.
Is it necessary to wear glasses for cylindrical power?
Yes. Except for mild astigmatism that does not disturb vision, some kind of treatment is essential to see clearly and comfortably. Glasses are an easy solution. You may also try wearing contact lenses. Today, you also have the option of refractive eye surgery. At Sohana Eye Hospital, there’s a wide range of refractive vision correction surgeries to choose from. After surgery, you may no longer need to wear any specs or contacts. However, without treatment, you may experience headaches, strained eyes, or difficulty focusing, especially while reading and driving.
