cylindrical vision

Cylindrical vision is a term not typically used in clinical practice to describe visual distortions or peripheral field issues. What you’re describing might relate more to visual distortions possibly due to astigmatism, which causes light rays to focus at multiple points on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision. Distortion at the edges of your field of view could also be related to other refractive errors or age-related changes such as presbyopia. Since your central vision seems unaffected, peripheral vision disturbances may sometimes be caused by eye health issues like retinal detachment, glaucoma, or neurological conditions that affect the brain’s visual pathways. Stress and anxiety alone are less likely to be the root cause but they can potentially amplify perceived symptoms. Dizziness in combination with visual disturbances, especially while walking or driving, is a significant symptom that warrants further investigation. Effectively, it’s important to pursue clarity here — consider seeking a second opinion, possibly from an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist, to pursue a more thorough examination such as imaging tests like an OCT (optical coherence tomography) or visual field testing that can assess the retina and optic nerve pathways comprehensively. Don’t ignore the dizziness; it can sometimes suggest systemic issues beyond eye health alone. Waiting too long might delay crucial treatment for conditions that could be progressing. So while it might seem like a lot, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get it checked out.