Cylindrical Refractive Error

The distribution of cylindrical refractive error (right eye only) is presented for 957 persons, comprising approximately 80% of the population (aged 5 years and over) of three western Newfoundland communities. In 72% of males and 60% of females no cylindrical error was found; 12% of males and 19% of females had errors greater than 0.5 D. Cylindrical errors of 2 D or greater were found in 2.5% of females but only 0.5% of males, affecting females of all ages but males aged less than 15 years only. Persons aged 45 years and up had fewer cylindrical errors, more against‐the‐rule and less with‐the‐rule astigmatism than persons below that age. Cylindrical error and spherical error, and in particular against‐the‐rule error and myopia, commonly occurred together. Among persons aged 5 to 14 years an association of with‐the‐rule error with nearwork is suggested.