All the solutions you need to know for myopia
Our eyes are one of the most vital parts of our body that play an important role in our overall well-being and quality of life. However, when we consider our overall health, eye care is often overlooked.
In Singapore, there is a wide array of well-established public and private specialised eye clinics that offer a vast range of services. Some services include comprehensive eye screenings, laser vision correction (LASIK, epi-LASIK), surgery and treatment for eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
Singapore is widely known for its level of eye care services that cater to both local and international patients.
Why see an eye specialist?
You do not need to experience vision symptoms to visit an eye specialist. General eye checks are recommended:
- 16 to 59 years old: Every 2 years
- Below 16 years old and 60 years old and above: Every year
During these eye screenings, basic eye tests are performed, including the measurement of visual acuity, eye pressure and the checking of eye prescription. Subsequently, the ophthalmologist would do a thorough check of the front and back parts of the eye. Additional scans and tests may be performed to allow the ophthalmologist to further assess your condition.
Common eye conditions
In children, common eye conditions include refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism, as well as amblyopia (lazy eye). Some treatment options include the prescription of glasses and myopia control eye drops (atropine). Patching, visual therapies or surgery interventions are some solutions for those with a lazy eye.
Congenital eye conditions like cataracts can also be checked and treated at a specialist eye clinic.
Below are some abnormal signs and symptoms that can be observed in children:
- Excessive eye rubbing.
- Frequent tilting of the head in a particular direction.
- Squinting or going very near when looking at books/television.
- One eye is not moving well/turning frequently.
- White instead of red appearance of the pupils in photos.
- Asymmetry of eye size.
- Any other eye discomfort (e.g. redness, tearing, discharge, light sensitivity).
Please do not bring your child for an eye screening as soon as possible if the above signs and symptoms exist. A thorough eye check would be conducted by the ophthalmologist, and appropriate treatment would be recommended depending on the condition.
Glaucoma, a condition whereby the optic nerve is damaged, is one of the most common causes of vision loss worldwide. It is also known as a “silent thief of sight” – most people are asymptomatic until their condition has progressed to a later stage. Glaucoma can result in the gradual loss of peripheral vision, which may not be noticeable initially.
Systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can also lead to various eye conditions. Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that can affect individuals with any type of diabetes.
Age-related eye conditions that would affect everybody are presbyopia and cataract. These conditions occur due to the natural course of ageing. Presbyopia occurs in individuals aged 40 and above, where the lens and muscles responsible for focusing on near objects start to become less flexible. A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens in the eye.
For presbyopia, an additional prescription for reading can be prescribed to aid in near work. For cataract, steps can be taken to slow down its progression, such as reducing UV exposure. In the later stages of cataract, when vision is affected, cataract surgery can be a viable option.
Age-related eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration affects the central part of the retina (macula) which causing central vision loss.
Eye conditions requiring urgent attention
Urgent medical attention is required for the following conditions:
- Penetrating or traumatic injury.
- Chemical substance entering the eye.
- Sudden blurring of vision.
- Sudden increase in size/number of floaters.
- Flashes.
- Curtain vision (“black veil” covering your vision).
- Pain, excessive tearing.
- Visual disturbance with associated factors like headache, double vision.
- Any other symptoms that affect your vision and cause a lot of discomfort?
Please visit the A&E or your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Early intervention is crucial for any eye condition to slow down or stop the progression into something more severe.
How to find the right eye clinic for you?
Visiting a General Practitioner can be very helpful as they would be able to recommend a suitable eye clinic/doctor based on your condition and medical history.
Word-of-mouth is another way of getting to know about various eye clinics and eye specialists – you can ask your family and friends about the ophthalmologists they have seen.
Online research can also supplement your choice in eye clinic or eye doctor as you comb through information, including reviews of those with prior experience.
Contact Eye Max Centre for an appointment
At Eye Max Centre, we are dedicated to providing proven and patient-centric specialist eye care. We believe in going the extra mile to ensure your well-being. Our eye specialists see a wide range of eye conditions, including cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, droopy eyelids, floaters and dry eye.
Contact us at +65 6684 1000 or manager@eyemax.sg if you would like to see an eye specialist.
