Cylindrical power is a common vision problem that can cause blurry vision, headaches, and eye strain. It occurs when the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, is not perfectly round. Light rays are not focused properly on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, which results in distorted vision. Cylindrical power is measured in diopters (D). A positive cylindrical power indicates that the cornea is more curved in one direction than the other, while a negative cylindrical power indicates that the cornea is flatter in one direction than the other.

Causes of Cylindrical Power Increase

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of cylindrical power. These include:

• Genetics: Cylindrical power can be inherited. If you have a family history of cylindrical power, you are more likely to develop it yourself.

• Eye Strain: Prolonged periods of eye strain, such as reading or working on a computer for long hours, can contribute to the development of cylindrical power.

• Trauma: An injury to the eye, such as a blow to the head, can cause cylindrical power to develop.

• Certain Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, such as keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration, can cause the cornea to change shape, leading to cylindrical power.

Symptoms of Cylindrical Power Increase

The most common symptom of cylindrical power is blurry vision. You may also experience:

• Headaches
• Eye strain
• Difficulty seeing objects at a distance or up close
• Double vision
• Ghosting or streaking of images
• Difficulty driving at night

Diagnosis of Cylindrical Power Increase

Cylindrical power is diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, your eye doctor will measure your visual acuity, check the health of your eyes, and look for signs of corneal abnormalities. Your doctor may also perform a retinoscopy, a test that measures the amount of light reflected from the back of your eye, to determine the amount of cylindrical power you have.

Treatment for Cylindrical Power Increase

There are several treatment options for cylindrical power. These include:

• Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: Eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct the distortion caused by cylindrical power.

• Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology is a non-surgical procedure that uses specially designed contact lenses to reshape the cornea. This can temporarily reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

• LASIK or PRK Surgery: LASIK and PRK are surgical procedures that can permanently correct cylindrical power. These procedures use a laser to reshape the cornea.

Preventing Cylindrical Power Increase

There is no sure way to prevent cylindrical power from developing. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as:

• Get regular eye exams: Regular eye exams can help to detect cylindrical power early on, when it is easier to treat.

• Take breaks from near work: If you spend a lot of time reading, working on a computer, or doing other near work, take breaks to look away at something distant every 20 minutes.

• Use proper lighting: Make sure your work area is well-lit.

• Protect your eyes from the sun: Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays.

Conclusion

Cylindrical power is a common vision problem that can cause blurry vision and other symptoms. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of cylindrical power, including genetics, eye strain, trauma, and certain medical conditions. Cylindrical power can be diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam. There are several treatment options for cylindrical power, including eyeglasses or contact lenses, orthokeratology, and LASIK or PRK surgery. There is no sure way to prevent cylindrical power from developing, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is cylindrical power?

Cylindrical power is a vision problem that occurs when the cornea is not perfectly round. This can cause blurry vision, headaches, and eye strain.

2. What causes cylindrical power?

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of cylindrical power, including genetics, eye strain, trauma, and certain medical conditions.

3. What are the symptoms of cylindrical power?

The most common symptom of cylindrical power is blurry vision. You may also experience headaches, eye strain, difficulty seeing objects at a distance or up close, double vision, ghosting or streaking of images, and difficulty driving at night.

4. How is cylindrical power diagnosed?

Cylindrical power is diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, your eye doctor will measure your visual acuity, check the health of your eyes, and look for signs of corneal abnormalities.

5. How is cylindrical power treated?

There are several treatment options for cylindrical power, including eyeglasses or contact lenses, orthokeratology, and LASIK or PRK surgery.