The axis figure on prescription contact lenses is for people who have astigmatism and indicates the required location of cylindrical power on the lens. This determines the angle of vision correction that someone with astigmatism would need, due to the irregular curvature of their eye, which can be described as shaped like a rugby ball. Axis is part of your prescription, and tells an optometrist in which direction they must position any cylindrical power in your lenses that is required for astigmatism. The number shows the orientation or angle (in degrees) from 1 to 180. The number 90 means vertical position, and 180 horizontal. A higher number for the axis does not mean that your prescription is stronger, it simply describes the position of the astigmatism. Meridians of the eye are determined…
