Singapore Eye Surgey, Eye Care Clinic - Eye Retina Surgeons

Refractive Errors

Myopia or shortsightedness is the most common refractive error in Singapore. Myopic people cannot see distant objects clearly but can see near objects very well.

Hyperopia or long-sightedness is uncommon in Singapore. Often misunderstood and confused with presbyopia, hyperopes are unable to see near objects well but can see distant objects clearly. Hyperopia can occur at any age.

Astigmatism is common. In this condition, the cornea is not shaped like a sphere, but is like an egg. It results in blurred vision for both near and distant objects.

Presbyopia is an age-related phenonomenon. At the age of 40, our lens gets stiffer and the ciliary muscle (focusing muscle) weakens. This leads to a weakening in our ability to read or see near objects. The earliest sign of presbyopia is the need to hold the newspaper further and further away to read when we near the age of 40. Interestingly, if you are myopic, the effects of presbyopia are reduced and you can still read in your 40s.

Correction of refractive errors

The simplest way is of course to use glasses or contact lenses. All the above can be effectively and economically treated this way.

If a patient wishes not to wear optical aids at all, then LASIK vision correction is currently the most effective way of doing this.

Another way is to carry out cataract or lens extraction and replace it with a correctly powered lens implant. Today we can correct all the above refractive errors with specially designed lens implants.