Eye Health Guide · ORINvue
Astigmatism (Cylindrical Power)
Hindi / common name: Astigmatism (cylinder number / tircha nambar)
Astigmatism is a very common refractive error in which the front surface of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football. Light then focuses at different points, so vision is blurred or slightly distorted at all distances. On a prescription it appears as CYL (cylinder) and AXIS. Many people have a small amount of astigmatism along with myopia or hyperopia.
Symptoms of astigmatism
- Blurred or slightly stretched vision at both distance and near
- Shadows or 'ghosting' around letters
- Eye strain and headaches, especially after reading or screen work
- Glare and streaks around lights at night
- Squinting to see clearly
- Frequent rubbing of the eyes
Causes and risk factors
- An unevenly curved cornea, often present from birth and inherited
- An unevenly shaped natural lens
- Keratoconus, a condition where the cornea thins and bulges, causing rising and irregular astigmatism
- Eye injury, scarring or previous eye surgery
- Habitual hard eye rubbing, which is linked to corneal changes
How it is diagnosed
An optometrist measures astigmatism during refraction: the cylinder power (how much) and the axis (the direction, from 0 to 180 degrees). A keratometer or corneal topography measures the curvature of the cornea. Astigmatism that keeps increasing, or that cannot be corrected well with glasses, should be checked by an ophthalmologist for keratoconus.
Treatment options
- Spectacles with cylindrical (toric) lenses ground to the exact axis
- Toric soft contact lenses, or rigid gas-permeable lenses for higher or irregular astigmatism
- Refractive surgery (LASIK, SMILE, PRK) in suitable adults, decided by an ophthalmologist
- For keratoconus: corneal cross-linking and specialised lenses under an eye specialist
Glasses and lens options
Accuracy matters more than anything: the axis must be set precisely and the frame must sit straight, or vision will feel 'pulled'. New wearers with higher cylinder may need a few days to adapt. Aspheric and high-index lenses reduce distortion and thickness, and an anti-glare coating helps with night driving glare.
Prevention and everyday care
- Most astigmatism cannot be prevented
- Avoid hard eye rubbing, especially if you have allergies
- Treat itchy, allergic eyes early
- Get a yearly eye test, or sooner if your vision changes
When to see an eye specialist the same day
- Astigmatism that increases quickly in a teenager or young adult
- Vision that stays blurred even with new glasses
- Sudden distortion of straight lines or loss of vision
Astigmatism in Lucknow
Seasonal allergies and dust in Lucknow can make eyes itchy, and constant rubbing is linked to corneal changes. Treating itch early protects the cornea.
How ORINvue can help
At ORINvue, our qualified optometrist, Khushboo Gangwar, measures your cylinder power and axis carefully during a complete 10–15 minute eye test, free with every spectacle package. We fit toric spectacle lenses precisely and adjust frames so the axis stays correct, with spectacles from ₹999 all-inclusive and no hidden lens charges. If your astigmatism is changing fast and needs corneal scans, she guides you to a trusted eye specialist.
Book Free Eye TestFrequently asked questions about Astigmatism
What do CYL and AXIS mean on my prescription?
CYL is the amount of astigmatism in dioptres. AXIS is the direction of the correction, written as a number from 0 to 180. Both must be exact for clear, comfortable vision.
Is astigmatism serious?
Usually not. Most astigmatism is a normal variation of eye shape and is corrected easily with glasses or contacts. Rapidly rising astigmatism needs a check for keratoconus.
Why do my new cylinder glasses feel strange?
Lenses with new or higher cylinder power can make floors look tilted for a few days. This normally settles within one to two weeks. If not, get the prescription and fitting rechecked.
Can I wear contact lenses with astigmatism?
Yes. Toric soft lenses correct regular astigmatism, and rigid lenses work well for higher or irregular astigmatism. A proper contact lens fitting is needed.
Does astigmatism get worse with age?
It can change slowly over life. Regular eye tests make sure your glasses stay up to date.
Explore more: Eye Health Guide (all conditions) · Optical & spectacles questions answered · ORINvue blog
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Every eye test is done by our qualified optometrist, Khushboo Gangwar, free with every spectacle package. Opening December 2026 in Kalyanpur, Vikas Nagar, Lucknow. Open daily 10 AM–10 PM.
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