Understanding Myopia in the Right Eye: CYL -0.25 with Axis 35° and CYL -0.15 with Axis 170°

Have you ever received an eye prescription with terms like CYL -0.25 with Axis 35° in the right eye and CYL -0.15 with Axis 170° in the right eye and wondered what it all means? This article will help you understand these terms and how they are related to astigmatism and myopia.

What Does CYL in Prescription Mean?

The value CYL in your eye prescription stands for the cylindrical component of the prescription. This part of the prescription is used to correct astigmatism in your eyes. Astigmatism is a common vision condition where the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, has an irregular shape, making vision blurry or distorted.

Interpreting CYL and Axis in Eye Prescription

Let's break down the terms you mentioned:

CYL -0.25 with Axis 35°

In this notation, the CYL -0.25 indicates a cylindrical lens of -0.25 diopters is required to correct your astigmatism. The Axis 35° specifies the direction of the astigmatism.

CYL -0.15 with Axis 170°

Similarly, CYL -0.15 means a cylindrical lens of -0.15 diopters is needed. The Axis 170° indicates the direction of this astigmatism.

Understanding the Levels of Astigmatism

The values you mentioned, -0.25 and -0.15, represent mild astigmatism. Generally, a -0.50 or lower value indicates a very mild or no astigmatism. In your case, having these low values suggests that your astigmatism is well within the range of what is considered mild.

Change Over Time

The question of whether these values have increased significantly can be answered by comparing them to your previous prescription. If your previous prescription showed -0.50 or higher, then the -0.25 and -0.15 values represent a reduction in astigmatism. Conversely, if your previous values were lower, for example -0.10, then the astigmatism has increased slightly.

Conclusion and Professional Advice

In summary, the values you provided indicate mild astigmatism in both eyes. The question of whether this is a significant increase or decrease depends on your previous prescription values. Consulting an eye care professional is always a good idea, especially if you have any concerns about changes in your vision or prescription.

It's important to remember that an auto-refractor, which measures exactly what it sees, might sometimes provide values that are not currently supported in eyewear design. If your auto-refractor values are not reflected in your actual glasses prescription, it doesn't necessarily mean there has been a significant change in your vision.

Enjoy your good vision and be thankful for the clarity it brings to your everyday life!