What type of astigmatism does a patient have if the power of the vertical meridian is greater than the horizontal meridian?

When the power of the vertical meridian is greater than that of the horizontal meridian, the patient is exhibiting with-the-rule astigmatism. This condition is characterized by the steepest curvature of the cornea occurring along the vertical meridian. In clinical practice, this type of astigmatism typically affects the way light is refracted and can lead to vision distortion or blurriness, particularly in horizontal orientations.

Additionally, with-the-rule astigmatism is commonly found in younger individuals and is associated with a typical pattern of corneal shape. Understanding this relationship is crucial for creating appropriate corrective lenses, as the visual system relies on the balance of power between different meridians to achieve optimal focus.