1. Correcting Astigmatism: One of the main applications of cylindrical lenses is in ophthalmology, specifically, to correct astigmatic vision. When a person presents astigmatic vision, it is usually the result of a corneal deformation. An astigmatic cornea will have different focal points at different axes. It is then possible to use a cylindrical lens to change the focal point of one of the axes to overlap the second one.

2. Laser Line Scanning: This is a technique that is used to capture the shape of a 3D object into a digital copy. It is particularly useful in manufacturing, prototyping, landscaping, and architecture. This scanning technique measures the deformation of a straight line created by a cylindrical lens when it is incident into a non-flat surface.

3. Laser Scanning Microscopy: They are usually used in combination with acousto-optic deflectors, where the focal point of a variable lens can change its position laterally without the use of movable parts. The cylindrical lens corrects the image and helps focus the light spot onto the correct plane.