Myopia arises when the cornea is overly curved (focusing power is too high) or the eyeball is too long. This causes images of distant objects to be focused in front of the retina instead of on the retina. A blurred image falls on the retina as the light rays spread apart after the focal point.

Singapore has one of the highest rates of myopia in the world with an estimated 28% of Primary 1 students, 65% of Primary 6 students, and 80 per cent of young adults being myopic.

To learn more about myopia in children and their treatment options, please refer to Myopia Management For Children. Read the Paediatric Cataract for Children here.

Myopia can be corrected with corrective lenses such as glasses and contact lenses, or refractive surgery (LASIK).

Contact lenses provide a safe and effective way to correct vision as they allow light to be focused more precisely on the retina.

(Learn more about contact lenses and their associated problems here).

Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, is a common surgical procedure that uses laser to correct myopia.

(Learn more about the different refractive surgery treatments at NUH LASIK Centre here)

Astigmatism is a refractive error that occurs when the cornea of your eye is curved more in one direction or has a non-spherical shape (like a rugby ball or the back of a spoon). It does not bring the light rays to focus at a single point. Instead, it focuses images over a spread of points producing a blurred image.

Astigmatism often occurs in combination with near-sightedness or far-sightedness. 

Signs and symptoms include blurred and distorted vision, eye strains and headaches.

Astigmatism can be corrected with corrective lenses such as glasses and contact lenses, or refractive surgery (LASIK).

Contact lenses provide a safe and effective way to correct vision as they allow light to be focused more precisely on the retina.

(Learn more about contact lenses and their associated problems here). 

Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, is a common surgical procedure that uses laser to correct astigmatism.

(Learn more about the different refractive surgery treatments at NUH LASIK Centre here)

Hyperopia arises when the cornea of the eye is not curved enough (focusing power too low) or the eyeball is too short. This combination of factors results in the focal point to fall behind the retina. A blurred image is seen as light rays have not yet been brought into focus when they reach the retina.

Hyperopia can be corrected with corrective lenses such as glasses and contact lenses, or refractive surgery (LASIK).

Contact lenses provide a safe and effective way to correct vision as they allow light to be focused more precisely on the retina.

(Learn more about contact lenses and their associated problems here). 

Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, is a common surgical procedure that uses laser to correct hyperopia.

(Learn more about the different refractive surgery treatments at NUH LASIK Centre here)

As the normal eye ages, the lens loses its elasticity and ability to change its shape. Focusing for near tasks, including reading, will then require the help of reading glasses. This usually begins to affect most people from the age of 40 onwards.

Presbyopia can be corrected with bifocal contact lenses and glasses, or refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK or PRESBYOND).

Contact lenses provide a safe and effective way to correct vision as they allow light to be focused more precisely on the retina.

(Learn more about contact lenses and their associated problems here). 

Presbyopia can also be treated with either LASIK or PRK. One eye can be corrected to see far and the other eye corrected to see near. This is also known as monovision. By doing this, the person can then see both far and near without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Confusion does not occur and the brain easily adapts to this new vision after one to two weeks. There is also no problem with activities such as driving or playing golf. The blending of vision between the two eyes can be further enhanced using aspherical treatment to increase the depth of focus of both eyes.

(Learn more about the different refractive surgery treatments at NUH LASIK Centre here)

Low vision refers to visual impairment that cannot be corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment and surgery. A person with low vision has severely reduced visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and/or significantly obstructed field of view.

 

Low vision may affect a person's daily living activities such as recognising faces, reading small prints and large signs, difficulty in recognising obstacles and reduced independent mobility.

The common causes of low vision are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, neurological conditions and trauma.

Persons with low vision usually retain some usable vision. We have a Low Vision Enabling Programme that comprises a multidisciplinary team of optometrist and occupational therapist who specialises in low vision rehabilitation. The team works closely with the patient and family to help the patient regain function lost by visual impairment. This involves a comprehensive approach in addressing visual and functional issues that results in problems with reading, safety, daily living activities, community participation and psychological adjustment to vision loss.

 

Low vision rehabilitation aims to reduce the functional impediments imposed by vision loss. It begins with a low vision consultation, which involves optometric low vision evaluation and occupational therapy assessment. This may be followed by prescription and dispensing of low vision optical devices such as magnifiers, telescopes, assistive technology and sensorial adaptive devices as appropriate. In addition, visual skills trainings and adaptive therapies may be provided to maximise function, safety and independence of the individual with low vision. The comprehensive rehabilitation service will be conducted at home and/or in the clinic.

 

The NUH Vision Care Services, comprising the Eye Care for Empowered Community (EC2) and Seniors’ Eye Rehabilitation Programme (SEER) <*HYPERLINK TO PAGE 1 ACCORDION 7 / COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SECTION>, was set up in 2015 to help identify seniors with poor or low vision, and provide early intervention in the form of treatment and to teach them to function safely within the limitations of their low vision.

Mr Danial Bohan

Dip Optom (Merit), BSc (Hons), MSc

Senior Optometrist

 

Ms Chen Xuanyu

BHSc (Occ Therapy), PG Cert Low Vision Rehab

Senior Occupational Therapist