It is no secret that refractive errors like nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness or hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism are some of the most common types of eye problems that affect people of all ages from toddlers to the elderly. And so, we all know what prescription numbers and diopters are.
Now, what is a Cylindrical Number?
Just like diopters refer to the myopic or hyperopic vision error measurements, the cylindrical number refers to the degree of astigmatism of an eye. In more technical terms, a cylindrical number in eyes means the difference between the highest and lowest points of the lens beneath the cornea, which is usually 90 degrees. This means that the difference between the two meridians of the lens looks like a rugby ball or egg instead of a spherical, concave shape, irregular light-bending ability and blurry vision. On your prescription card, a negative value will be indicated under the ‘Cylinder(CYL)’ section if you have myopic astigmatism and a positive value if you have the farsighted kind. Another thing mentioned in it is the Axis (AX). This value ranges between 1 to 180 degrees and represents the angle of your astigmatism, i.e. the two meridians.
And here are some tips on how to cure or at least lessen the refractive error:
● Stop it from worsening
As soon as you are informed of your astigmatism, the best course of action would be to get suitable prescription lenses without any further delay. Glasses with cylindrical power will be recommended to you by your ophthalmologist if you have a cylindrical number. This will prevent you from using your eyes and straining them when your vision is blurred, effectively stopping them from further damage. If you are not too keen on the idea of having to wear specs, you can also opt for contact lenses with the same power.
● Eye Yoga and Eye Exercises
A scientifically proven way of improving eyesight is by practicing eye yoga and eye exercises like eye-rolling, palming and focusing. However, these exercises will prove to be more effective when paired with a vitamin and protein-rich diet, including lentils, carrots, tomatoes, eggs, meat and more.
● Surgery
If you are not satisfied with the ways mentioned earlier and want to get rid of the specs and improve eyesight, vision correction surgery is the quickest and best practice. The Relex SMILE(Small incision lenticule extraction) is a bladeless, non-invasive and highly recommended procedure by doctors. It involves the creation of a tiny lenticule and its extraction to heal astigmatism. As a result, you will be able to resume your daily activities with improved vision in under three days.
● Prevention
This is the least followed but one of the most critical steps. Whether we like this answer or not, prevention through precautions and proper eye care is the best way to keep them healthy and free of any errors. Prevent them from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays and if you have a computer job, make sure to look away from your screen every 15 minutes to focus on something farther from you.
