Understanding Eye Power: Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, and Beyond
We understand that vision health is of utmost importance to everyone, and we are here to provide you with the answers you seek. This guide will address the common eye power-related questions that we frequently receive.
1. What Does Having Eye Power Mean?
Having eye power means your eyes have a shape such that the rays of light do not focus on the back part of the eye called the retina. Thus, to make them focus on the retina, you need specific lenses in front of your eyes, either spectacles or contact lenses. The power of the eye is denoted by the power of the lens used to make you see clearly. The power of the eye can be of three types: Plus number or hyperopia, minus number or myopia, and cylindrical number or astigmatism.
2. What Does Negative Eye Power Mean?
Negative eye power means you need a negative lens or a minus-powered lens to make the rays of light focus on the retina. In other words, a minus-numbered lens will help you see clearly. This type of power is found in individuals complaining of having blurry distance vision. The medical term for negative eye power is Myopia, and it has become a topic of interest in recent years because it is expected that half the world’s population will have negative eye numbers by 2050. This is the most common type of eye power seen in the population. The eye number can progress, and there are certain tools available to help reduce the risk of this progression. It is also a common reason why people undergo Lasik eye surgery or Clear lens extraction.
3. What Does Positive Eye Power Mean?
Like negative eye power, positive eye power means you need a positive or plus-powered lens to focus the rays of light on the retina. This type of power is found in individuals complaining of blurry near vision. The medical term for positive eye power is Hypermetropia. Although it is not considered as big a concern as negative power, if undetected at a young age, it may cause a condition known as lazy eye or amblyopia. All humans are born with around +2.00 numbers, which is why eye doctors put certain drops in babies to determine their exact power and decide on the prescription that should be given, if needed.
4. What Does Cylindrical Power Mean?
Cylindrical power arises when the shape of the cornea, the frontmost layer of the eye, is like an oblate rugby ball shape, instead of being a regular spherical shape. This shape causes the power to be manifested only in a particular orientation called the axis. It does not mean that the eyes are weak or that there is a defect; it simply means the eyes have such a shape that the person needs a cylindrical number to see clearly.
Abnormally high cylindrical numbers (>3.00) may indicate a condition called keratoconus, so the patients who have cylindrical eyesight of greater than 3 diopters undergo a test called topography once a year to make sure they have not developed keratoconus.
5. What Does Spherical Number in the Eye Mean?
Spherical power means the rays of light are not getting focused on the retina. They are either getting focused in front or at the back of the eye. Here, the shape of the cornea is regular, and the blur that the individual sees is a complete blur instead of the glare and shadowing effect seen in cylindrical power. Both Myopia and hyperopia are types of spherical powers.
6. What Does 6/6 Mean?
6/6 (read as 6 by 6) is a notation used in eye care to quantify your vision. “6” in the numerator stands for 6 meters, which is the testing distance, i.e., how far you are sitting when your eye test is being performed. The denominator denotes the ideal distance at which a person with no eye power must be able to see the line. Thus, ideal vision is 6/6 or 20/20. 20 refers to 20 feet, which is equal to 6 meters. It means that a person can see letters from a distance of 6 meters, which they are supposed to see from a distance of 6 meters. 6/9 means that a person can see letters from a distance of 6 meters, which they are actually supposed to see from a distance of 9 meters. 6/12 means that a person can see letters from a distance of 6 meters, which they are actually supposed to see from a distance of 12 meters, and so on.
7. My Eye Doctor Prescribed Me Powered Glasses. What Does It Mean?
Depending on your eye power, your eye doctor will prescribe you to wear either negative or positive power glasses. The lenses in your spectacles or contact lenses will have the power to help you see better. You could have a spherical power or a cylindrical power. The spherical power could be a plus power or a minus power.
Some Common Specific Questions
People ask us specific questions about their eye powers most of the time. One of these questions is,
- What does 0.25 eye power mean?
- What does 0.5 eye power mean?
- What does 0.50 eye power mean?
- What does 0.75 eye power mean?
- What does 1.25 eye power mean?
- What does minus 2 eye power mean?
I will answer all together.
When one has eye power, they can’t see clearly without glasses. The rays of light entering the eye are not focusing on the retina because either the eye is longer or shorter than normal. In other words, the shape is not the perfect shape that the eye should be.
To see clearly, we have to do something which will focus the rays of light on the retina, and we achieve this by giving lenses. Lenses could be in the form of spectacle lenses or contact lenses.
0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.25 are different eye powers, and it means that you have to wear lenses of these powers so that you see clearly. It does not mean that your eyes have a defect or are weak; it only means that the shape of the eye is slightly different than what it should ideally be.
A person with an eye power of 5 or -5 has an eye that is much longer than somebody who has a power of -1 or -2. Similarly, a person having a power of -7 has an eye that is much longer than a person who has a power of -5.
PRO TIP: 0.25 and 0.50 are considered very small numbers, and there is a high chance that a person with such numbers would be able to see almost everything without glasses too. Not wearing glasses is not going to harm your eyes in any way, so if you prefer not to wear glasses for such small numbers, it is totally okay to do so.At Eye Solutions, we specialise in providing comprehensive eye care services, ranging from thorough eye examinations to advanced surgical procedures, in Mumbai & Chennai. In case you are facing any “Eye Conditions,” we urge you to schedule an appointment with our esteemed eye hospital in Mumbai & Chennai, where our top-notch team of eye specialists is ready to assist you.
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So, what if when I stay indoors for long and come outside when is sunny and I can open my eyes well?
When I force to open it, there will be tears coming out from my eyes.
You are not expected to look at the sun. I think if anyone looks at the sun their eyes will water. If you do have excessive watering you might have dryness and maybe consult an ophthalmologist.
Hello Doc, many years ago my eye doc prescribed me -0.25 and -0.50/75 power for glasses. But I didn’t wear any glasses until now. Currently the power has increased. On my right eye it’s -1.00 (15° axis) and on my left eye it’s -1.50 (165° axis). Should I constantly use glasses or the power will keep increasing if I don’t use glasses?
Your power has not increased because you did not wear glasses. Dont worry. You can choose to continue to not wearing glasses
I went for an eye clinic today and my results are as stated:
CYL— OD -0.25 axis 180 degrees
OS -0.50 axis 170 degrees
They say I have astigmatism and that I need glasses for it. But when I searched for it in the Internet it says I have mild astigmatiosm and it does not need any glasses for it. But my mild astigmatism has symptoms, I keep experiencing headaches, nausea, anxiety and I feel like the ground is moving when I walk, eye ache at my eyelids esp when exposed to sun. Should I go with what they said or not wear glasses?? Oh and the SPH region says plano
Your cylindrical number is very small and most times people dont need it. however, if you feel comfortable with these glasses there is no harm at all in wearing them.
my SPH number for right eye is -1.25 and left eye is -0.75 and CYL number for both eyes is -3.25 axis 180. But, i am not able to see clearly through glasses object is getting distorted and blugy. what’s the issue?
Difficult for us to say what the issue is by this one line. THere could be multiple reasons. You may need a number check up again.
Hello Sir mera right And left eye ka number -1.55 he to sir ye vision jaise 6/6 hota he to ye -1.55 ka kitna _/_ hoga?
I did not understand. Please call on 9820239958 and explain.
I have minus 2.5 spherical and 1 cylinder number in right eye, minus 3 spherical and 0.75 cylinder number in left eye.
Is it ok to wear only minus 3 spherical number in both eyes?
Yes its ok. You may have headaches which may range from mild to severe. If you get headaches then you might have to wear the cylinder.
but you are not benefitting in any way by wearing only -3. might as well wear your entire power.
I realised I may need progressive lens recently. My current power is Right eye -5.75, Cyl -0.50, Add +0.50. Left eye -4.75, add +0.50. I have eye checkup at eye centre and optical shop.
Eye centre’s new power is right -5.75, cyl -0.50, add + 1.75; left -4.50, add +1.75.
Optical shop Right -6.25, cyl 0.00, add +1.75; left eye -4.50, cyl -0.25, add + 1.75.
Can I check which power of progressive lens is better for eye and give better clarifty with lesser distortion? with astigmatism (eye centre) or without astigmatism (optical shop).
Dear Amelia,
You wont be able to check which eye power is better on your own.
If you are based in mumbai we can do an eye check up and suggest which progressives you should get for your eye and your requirements.
Regards
hello doctor, my both eye sph no.is +0.50 and cyl is +2.75. right eye axis is 75 and left eye is 90. but I can see blurry through left eye. I checked up last week. is there any problem?
WWhere did you get an eye check up ?
Also i might not be able to tell you if there is a problem or not by these few lines. We will need to examine you in detail to comment.
regards
hello sir! I just recently got my eyes checked my soh for left and right eye is -3.75 and the cyl is -1.25 for both eyes so if I total both it becomes -5.0 (sph+cyl) I’m not sure about it can you let me know is it a high number or not ? and what can I do to reduce it without surgery
Dear Chagan,
the number is not too high but not very small either.
You cannot do anything to reduce this number without surgery.
Regards
Deepak
Sir, I recently got my eyesight checked, and they recommended 0.50 glasses for me.Should I wear glasses or it’s okay if I don’t wear it.Is there a chance that my eyesight will completely recover if I don’t wore glasses?what I have to do to completely recover my eyesight..
You dont have to wear such a small number and no your eyesight will not go bad if you dont wear your glasses
I am 29 years old. I checked my eyes from opthalmologist…he said that I have 1.5 and 1.75 cylindrical eye number in right and left eyes respectively. but I don’t feel any discomfort such as blurry vision etc. some time I feel like headache and eye strain when I watch more mobile i.e. more screen time. I am very tensed. is it very critical situation? can cylindrical numbers can be reduced or removed?
Cylindrical numbers dont go away on their own. THey can however be removed by laser. the procedure is called Lasik
as long as the cylindrical number is not increasing you dont need to worry.
Hello sir.. I have keratoconus in my left eye and did c3r.. I have blurry vision in my left eye and I couldn’t see anything clearly with my left eye…But with my right eye I can see things properly. My Doctor suggested me to use contact lenses for my left eye and they said i have power 5… My question is will my vision improve if I use contact lenses?
Dear Kaviya,
these are special contact lenses known as scleral lenses. and yes there is a very high possibility that as soon as you try them on you will see much better.
What you should do is come to Eye SOlutions for a trial which means you will get to know if contact lenses help you or not.
my son has regressed rop at birth and now he is 2.5 years. we didn’t observe any eye issues with him during his regular activities but during his routine check up we come to know he has spect for both eyes with spherical +0.5 and cylindrical -2 with axis 140 so want to ask is it nearsighted/ farsighted or both (please explain his prescription) and whether it will reduced as he grows (As in blog it is mentioned all children born with +2)and 24*7 wearing of glasses essential
He basically has a cylindrical power or what is also known as astigmatism. He will have to wear glasses most of the time. The number will not reduce and most likely will not increase either.
hi
my eye sight is -0.25 .my screen time is longer than usual .do you really suggest to year glasses
No dont wear
Doctor, I have little power in both of my eyes (spherical 0.5), I have started wearing glasses, how do I get rid of the power permanently. I am only 18, and want to pursue sports (cricket), so it would be very nice to have no power, currently since 2 years I have 12 hours of screen time/day and it will be there for 1 more year then I can reduce, I have bought glasses with blue light filter. Please guide on how to get rid of power completely.
Its a very small power and most likely wont increase so dont worry. However, it wont go away on its own. You may have to wear contact lenses to be able to see the ball clearly.
I have a -0.25 CYL with – 7.5, but I don’t see any difference without the .25 cyl, can I get glasses only with spherical lenses?
Yes YOu can
Meri eyes ke corner me redness rhti h pain ke sath, eyesight . 25 h, kya mujhe chasma lagana chahiye ya nahi
This may not be a glass issue. this may be just dryness. Use some lubricant eye drops.
Hello sir my daughter is 6yrs old her number of left eye sph +0.50 cylindrical -2.75 axics 172 and right eye sph +0.75 cylinderical -2.50 axics 174 . She is wear glasses 24hrs
Yes she will have to wear glasses all the time
Hello sir my daughter is 6yrs old her number of left eye sph +0.50 cylindrical -2.75 axics 172 and right eye sph +0.75 cylinderical -2.50 axics 174 . She is wear glasses 24hrs any chance for removing glassesss
Hi tarni, No, there is no chance of removing glasses. However, cylindrical number usually does not change so dont worry. You most likely will need once a year eye check up with your doctor.
Hello Doctor,
I went to eye clinic to verify my eyeglasses and they prescribes power as below for both sides
Distant: Sph+0.5, Near Sph+1.75
I have also complained about difficulties to adjust my present progressive glass while working/reading. Doctor suggested you can neglect your distance power if you are comfortable and choose only reading glasses and I am Ok with this.
When I contacted glass makers for reading glasses, they said if you are making for near vision, number will be changed to +1.25 as power calculated earlier is combining both visions. Is this true? Shall I make +1.25 or +1.75 for reading glasses?
they are right, dont worry
I want to wear glasses and at the same time I want to protect my eyes so that it doesn’t affect my eyes, what glasses should I wear now, what power glasses should I wear to be safe when I go out, read a book at home, work on computer and go out in the sun, also for clear eyes also For the vision to be very clear
Even if you dont wear glasses you will be fine or you could wear blue blocking glasses which may offer some mild benefit.
Hi doctor, I’m 20 and my left eye is 16.5 and cyl is 5 and axis 95° right 13.5 and cyl 4 and Axis 95°, I feel tired easily and most of the time I stay home, and my vision is bad at night, i consult my doctor as I do every year and I told him I don’t see well at night but his reaction was like it’s ok like it’s normal, what should I do ?
Dear Zay, most likley you will benefit from a surgery called ICL. You can read about this on our website itself. How old are you ?
Hi dear respected doctor I’m from Bahrain I have -4 power I just want to know I can do laser surgery treatment or not ?
Second is this available in India or not
Or third question is in the beginning I was using power glasses for 2 years then I start power lenes -3.75 every 3 4 months I take new lenses I use lenses 6 years now I’m using glasses how many months or years I need to use glasses for laser treatment or eyes surgery please I’m waiting for your response thank you
Yes you can undergo lasik. at 20 years of age. Dont do lasik before that.
sir,I have cylindrical power -1.50 in right eye ,axis 10 and -1.25 in left eye,axis 160.sir can do eye exercises to improve my vision completely without using glasses again? sir, what is the reason for developing or increasing cylindrical eye power?
Your numbers will not reduce naturally. You will need to wear glasses. What is your age.
minus , plus numbers for eyes what is differances in +/- :
This is a very big answer and actually the explanation is in the article.
I have a spherical power of minus 4.5 and cylindrical power of minus 4.5 ,
what would be my myopic power of the eye
will it come under high myopia category ?
or under what grade of severity of myopia my eyesight comes under??
Your myopia is 4.5 and no this is not high myopia. its not low but after 6 is considered pathological.
Hi Doctor,
We visit eye doctor yesterday to get my daughter’s eyes checked, she is 7 years old and premature just complete 8 month and got delivered and she was of 2 kg in weight. Eye doctor tested and told us that she has power of -1 in both eye as well as cylindrical power of -0.75 axis 170 left eye and -0.75 axis 10 right eye.
Yes, it means she has a small power. THe number is not very high so dont worry and usually cylindrical numbers does not increase. I think you might have to get her glasses and see how her vision improves.
L cyl -0.25
R cyl -025 sph -0.25
Should i wear spectacles for this ?
Not necessary actually.
sir i have minus 6 power and its stilll increacing i am 14 what should i do?
Redcue screen time
Spend more time outdoors
Start Myopia control eye drops
Wear speacial myopia control glasses
Call 9820239958 if you want a detailed eye check up regarding your myopia.
My son is 9 years old, we went for eye checkup, they told vision is good but have .5 power on both the eyes. What does this mean. and they referred to wear glass. whether we need to wear glass or not.
If your child is complaining that he cannot see far things clearly then yes you will have to wear glasses. If child is not complaining then you can avoid for some time. Its a small number but the number can increase. Please read about myopia control and decide your next course of action.
my head used to ache very badly since i have very high screen time of about 7 hrs everyday (except sunday). my doc recommended +0.25 power lens . he has said that i need not wear my glasses after a year , but one of my relatives said that she was told the same but its beem more than a year and she continues wearing specs .. will i face a similar situation after a year ? will my specs be with me life long?
I will need to know your age.
Hii Sir, I am a 25 year old female. I am using phone since I was 17 years old but my vision was completely fine with no strain. I got my eyes checked regularly and there was no power in my eyes.
But the strain got increased at 22 and 23 years of age, both the time my doctor said that it’s ocular pressure and she gave me Lubricant eye drops and she said at 23 years of age it’s impossible to get eye Power.
this year I turned 25, and for the past 15 days my strain got severe, I get it only when I use phone or laptop, so one-day I decided to check my vision, so I started reading alphabets from a distance. Then I realized my right eye is blurry. I went for the checkup and the doctor said that that I have -0.5cylindriçal,-0.25 sph in right eye(91 axis). And she has advised me to wear glasses.
and she repeated the same dialogue that my power won’t increase.
but she didn’t answer my question because last two times when I was 22 and 23 she said the same thing.
doctor please help me, I am very scared
Firstly nothing to be scared.
Your number is very small
Its ok if you dont wear glasses
reduce your screen time, blink often, take a 20 second break every 20 minutes of computer work and look far away.
Use lubricants like you have been asked to do.
Right Eye:- SPH -0.75
CYL -0.75
AX 80
Left Eye:- SPH -1.00
CYL -0.75
AX 90
what is my eye sight 6/9 or 6/12 please suggest me
We cant know your eyesight by looking at the eye power. That we will only know if we examine you.
Hi,
I have high powers planning to do icl surgery.
Is it possible to do icl surgery If powers are not stable or constant .
Hi Keerthi,
Ideally e dont do ICL if powers are not stable. Wait, let them become stable and then do. How old are you ?
my old spectacles power were -0.20and- 0.18 and now I have power -0. 05 is high or low? and does earlier one were high?
I dont think you have mentioned the powers correctly. But anyway these powers would be considered low.
hi sir, Is it ok for me to choose not to wear glasses with the powers 1.75 on the right eye and 2.25 on my left eye
Yes its ok. You just wont see clearly thats all but no long term harm done to the eyes by not wearing glasses.
Hello sir!
I just recently got my eyes checked bcz of strain in eyes and bit of headache and was told to wear Blue cut lens while using phones and other screens.
Right eye
Sph. +-
Cyl. -0.50
Axis 85
vision 6/6
Left Eye
Sph. +-
Cyl. -0.50
Axis 75
Vision 6/6
Sir what this exactly means? What I need to do?
Go to any optical shop and make glasses.
Is this number too much?
No
check
How can we help.
Do we have 8/8 also just like we say 6/6 is a good eye vision. Do we have a name or anything for 8/8 eye vision.
No we dont have anything like that.
Prescription says +.25 sph in right eye and -.25 with axis 80 in left eye. Should I wear specs? Or will it becomes normal after sometime?
this number is very small. Its ok if you dont wear glasses. the number will not change but you will not have a problem if you dont wear glasses.
Hello Sir, My son is 6 years old and he has +1 cylinder 80 axis in rigth eye while left eye is fine. Now after wearing glasses whenever he is looking down, he is feeling floor is tilted. Is this normal or have some other issues. Thanks !
Yes it can happen initially and will take a week or so for him to get used to it. I dont think there is anything to worry.
Hi doc, I have high cylindrical and spherical power in both eyes, recently my number changed within 1.5 year and I am feeling difference in my vision it feels like an object in front of my right eye which is not letting me see properly (crystal clear)
previous power – OD -3.25 -2.75 x 040
OS -2.25 -1.75 x 140
new power – OD -3.00 -300 x 040
OS -2.50 -2.75 x 140
and your question is ?
Good Morning sir! I recently got my 10 year old son’s eyes checked his left and right eye is -13.5 and – 5.5 can you let me know is it a very high number? and what can I do.
yes its a high number. How old are you ??
my daughter is 4.5yrs old.
right eye: cylinderical 1.50 axis 180
left eye:cylindrical 1.50 axis 180
doctor recommended for glasses. what is your opinion?
You can wear glasses, I would have asked you to wait for a year depending on how she read in the clinic. but if she is wearing the glasses there is no harm in starting right away
my left eye has cyd power of 0.25 and right eye has cyd power of 0.75. if I wear glasses regularly will it be 0 again.
Your power is very small, just dont wear glasses and no it wont become zero
sir my age is 22 years and my left eye number is -5.0 and right eye no is -2.5 but currently i have using -2.0in left and -2.5 specs because i have recently checked up my eye my one eye no is increasing my doctor suggests me to wear old glasses sir my question is during study because i am upsc aspirant i have to study long hours so during study should i wear my new glasses or old glasses please suggest me
ideally i would say new glases. Your vision will be much better
hi doctor
i got checkup of my eyes. my cyl and sph are:
right eye: sph – 0.50 and cyl -0.75
left eye : sph-0.75 and cyl -0.75
axis – right eye 90 left eye 70
its increased from one year ago that was
right eye: sph -0.25 and cyl -0.75
left eye : sph -0.75 and cyl – 0.00
axis – right eye 120 left eye 70
so is this normal of axis to change
and should i ware glass 24 hr
small changes can happen so dont worry
you can wear glasses if you see clearly in them and want to see clearly
no harm apart from eye strain if you dont wear
My eye prescription is SPH -0.50 RE & -0.25 LE and CYL -1 RE & -1 LE and Axis 85 RE and 90 LE. What should I do? The doctor told me to wear glasses but I don’t want to at the same time I am having difficulty to read the class board and i cannot read sign boards. Plus there’s a medical test that requires 6/6 eyesight will i fail if i Don’t wear glasses
You might
Hi doc. My eye prescription reads SPH -0.50 RE and -0.25 LE and CYL -1.00 RE and -1.00 LE. Doctor told me to wear glasses what should I do?
you can wear or not wear. No harm either ways. with glasses you will see a fraction clearer
Doctor the first time I started wearing glasses was two years ago when I was 17. My prescription then was -1.5 and -1.75. And year later I power jumped from -2.5 and -2.75. After few months I couldn’t see clearly with my glasses so I combined my first specs lens with the current and it worked perfectly fine maybe a little over corrected but I could see comfortably. And now after 3 months I can’t see as clear as before. i would have glares, halo and double vision when reading things upclose. i think I have astigmatism but the last time I went for check up, my doctor didn’t mention anything about it. I’m planning to get my eyes checked soon but I’m worried and also don’t have the money for it for unfortunately. could you please tell me why my power is jumping so high in short span. is it because I use my diy glasses combining the two lens. And please tell me is there any way to stop my myopia progressing this fast. I’ve now cut down my screentime. it used to be 12 hours on average.
you need to get proper glasses made my friend. also i think now the chances of your number increasing at your age are very low. So dont worry.
I have a cyl power of 0.75 and a myopic power of around 8 in my left eye will I be able to get a laser surgery if and when I wanna ?
Yes