Myopia Evaluation

Singapore is sometimes known as the “Myopia Capital of the World”, with over 80% of adults having myopia (nearsightedness), an eye condition that causes distant objects to look blurry due to the eyeball being longer than a normal eye, resulting in light rays to focus in front of the retina, rather than directly on its surface. Young children at six to eight years old are prone to rapid myopic progression if not detected early and treated.

If you notice your distance vision being less clear than before, or your child struggling to see the white board at school or constantly squinting and rubbing their eyes, it may be time to get assessed for myopia.

At Lumin Eye Specialists, our experienced team of ophthalmologists are able to accurately diagnose and treat myopia at every stage, both in adults and children alike.

To test for myopia, you will be asked to undergo a vision assessment and a dilated fundal examination. Your ophthalmologists will be making use of refraction (including cycloplegic refraction) and axial length measurements to check the shape of the internal structures of your eye. We will be able to track the rate of growth of the eye and changes in spectacle power and advise on suitable treatments if necessary.

Early detection of myopia has many benefits such as:

• Treatment to restore clear vision promptly
• Restore comfort (no more headaches, eye fatigue, eye strain)
• Lower the long-term risks of developing other eye conditions, if left untreated

If myopia is detected, the usual next step is to have prescription lenses made that will correct your nearsightedness. These lenses usually come as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

There are many treatment options available such as:

• Lifestyle modifications - including a detailed explanation of good eye habits, sufficient outdoor activities in sunlight and advising teachers to allow your child to sit in the front of the class.
• Medical treatment - low dose atropine eye drops (0.01%, 0.125%, 0.25% and 0.5%) available and can slow down the progression of myopia in 50 to 60% of children. Atropine treatment requires patients to be committed and motivated, and children will require close monitoring at 6-month intervals.

Speak to our ophthalmologist today for a detailed myopia evaluation and personalised treatment recommendations.