The field of ophthalmology is less well-known than other medical specialities. Many only come to hear of ophthalmology when they require the services of an ophthalmologist or are inspired to pursue the career of one.
Unbeknownst to many, the need for ophthalmologists' services is progressively increasing in Singapore, with the prevalence of a myriad of eye conditions being a contributing factor:
The rising rate of certain eye diseases is partially attributed to poor eye health literacy. Whilst poor awareness is the fundamental factor, fear of seeking medical attention, and the lack of screening practices (almost half of Singaporeans do not abide by the recommended frequency of eye screening) are arguably the culprits behind these unfavourable statistics.
Singapore is home to Southeast Asia's most prominent ophthalmologists, many of whom are leading researchers, innovators, and philanthropists who provide eyecare access to remote parts of the world and underprivileged communities. Given that Singapore is indeed a powerhouse for eyecare specialists, it remains a question of whether the proficiency of ophthalmologists will ever reflect upon the population’s health.
Ophthalmologists often work closely with optometrists and opticians to provide patients with holistic and optimal care. The roles and qualifications differ between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Please refer to the table below to help you understand the differences between the different eye health professionals in Singapore.
| Profession | Ophthalmologist | Optometrist | Optician |
| Qualification | 5-Year Ophthalmology Residency Training with Subspecialty and Surgical Experience | Diploma in Optometry | Opticianry Diploma or Certificate |
| Perimeter of medical service | -- Diagnosing and treating ophthalmic diseases and conditions. -- Conduct ocular surgery where necessary. -- Prescribing optical aids and medication. | -- Examine eyes to detect vision problems within remit of qualification. -- Conduct eye screening. -- Prescribe and fit spectacles, contact lenses, and various optical aids. -- Refer patients to ophthalmologists for further management, especially if surgery or medications are required. | -- Perform visual examination. -- Dispensing and fitting visual aids within remit of qualification. -- May perform refraction on patients older than 8 years. -- Refer patients to ophthalmologists for further management, especially if surgery or medications are required. |
One should visit the ophthalmologist to undergo regular eye screening. The frequency will differ by age and risk factors such as family history, prior eye injury, and underlying health conditions that may increase the risk of eye diseases and conditions.
Below is the prescribed frequency by age:
Additionally, patients with risk factors such as diabetes [5] and high blood pressure [6] require frequent review and assessment by an ophthalmologist. Whilst some health conditions pose risks to one’s vision, an eye screening may also reveal undiagnosed health conditions [7], such as heart conditions, cancer, and lupus.
Self-diagnosing is not advised when you suspect your eye health is deteriorating. A few symptoms indicate that you may be suffering from an eye condition and require medical intervention from an ophthalmologist.
These include:
Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma, have no symptoms in the early stages. Hence, we should not undergo eye examinations only when we experience the symptoms above. Often, patients are unaware of their deteriorating eye health. Thus, it is crucial to undergo regular eye check-ups to detect eye diseases early so as to receive treatment early.
You are advised to visit an ophthalmologist when suspected of an eye condition that requires further treatment. There are many factors guiding your choice of an ophthalmologist.
Some would include:
Depending on your condition, you may require one or more of the tests listed below:
| Test | Purpose |
| Visual acuity tests | -- Assesses the sharpness of your vision. -- Letters or numbers on a chart are projected at a fixed distance away. -- The smallest line of letters that you can see will give an indication of how good your vision is. -- Poor vision can be due to incorrect spectacles prescription, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and other eye diseases. |
| Visual field tests | -- Assesses your peripheral vision. -- People with glaucoma lose their peripheral vision first, and they often do not notice this until their central vision is affected. -- The visual field test will allow us to detect glaucoma as well as other diseases involving the eye nerve and the visual pathway in the brain. |
| Optical coherence tomography of the macula | -- Utilises light waves to obtain a high-resolution and detailed scan of your macula, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for central vision. -- This will detect diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, macular swelling due to diabetes, and central serous retinopathy. |
| Optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve | -- Optical Coherence Tomography uses light waves to obtain a high-resolution and detailed scan of your eye nerve. -- This will allow us to detect diseases involving the eye nerve, such as glaucoma. |
| Anterior segment optical coherence tomography | -- The anterior segment optical coherence tomography uses light waves to obtain a high-resolution scan of the drainage angle of the eye. -- This can detect angle closure, which increases the risk of glaucoma. |
| Refraction | -- Lenses are placed in front of your eye to improve your vision. -- The power of the lens, which is able to achieve the best vision, is recorded. -- To help you see more clearly, you can make a new pair of spectacles with this lens power. |
| Tonometry | -- The tonometry test measures the pressure in your eye. -- High eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma. |
| Fundus and Optic Nerve Photography | -- A photograph of your retina and eye nerve is taken. -- Abnormalities in the appearance of your retina or eye nerve may indicate glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases. |
| Colour Vision | -- Assesses ability to distinguish colours. -- Assessed with the Ishihara chart. -- Abnormalities in colour vision can be hereditary or can indicate disease of your macula and eye nerve. |
| Amsler Grid | -- The Amsler grid is used to check for abnormalities in your central vision (e.g., distortion or dark patches in your vision) which can be caused by diseases of your macula. |
We hope this article has empowered you to take control of your eye health. As with any health condition, early detection provides the best opportunity to manage and prevent the progression of eye conditions and diseases. A competent ophthalmologist can perform a comprehensive eye examination and provide valuable advice on how to improve your eye health. If you have not had a recent eye examination, do not put this off any further and make an appointment now.
38 Irrawaddy Road Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, #06-25, Singapore 329563
Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm
Sunday / PH: Closed
