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Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness)

Overview
Causes
Treatment Options
Where to Seek Treatment
Singapore National Eye Centre
Contributed by Refractive Surgery (SingLASIK Centre)

MYOPIA (SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS OR NEAR-SIGHTEDNESS)

Are you experiencing blurred vision when seeing near objects? You may be having Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness).

What is Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness)?

Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness) is a condition in which a person is able to see near objects well (when reading a book or working on the computer) but has difficulty seeing objects that are far away (road signs or bus numbers). Myopia occurs when the eye is unable to focus light rays accurately on the seeing part of the eye, the retina.

This is an interactive illustration demonstrating how a person's view of the Singapore scenery may be with an increase in the degree of nearsightedness.  Please use the mouse, click on the blue arrow and slide it to the right. 

What causes Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness)?

Myopia is caused by an eyeball that is too long, causing light rays (and the image data it contains) to fall in front of the retina.

How do I correct my Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness)?

Myopia can be corrected with concave corrective lenses such as in spectacles or contact lenses. These vision aids help to better focus the light entering the eye. Other ways to correct myopia are refractive surgery options such as LASIK, Epi-LASIK and implantable contact lens, subject to assessment for suitability.

Please visit the following relevant links :-

SingLASIK Centre
SingLASIK Centre Clinical Staff
I Want an Eye Examination / an Appointment
How the Eye Works
Feedback



How LASIK Works



LASIK is a procedure in which the cornea – the transparent front part of the eye that lets in light – is sculpted to improve vision.

The eye works like a camera : the cornea acts as a lens, allowing light (and images) into the eyeball and onto the retina – which acts like a film – at the back of the eyeball. The shape of our corneas determines how ‘focused’ this image is. An out-of shape cornea transmits an unfocused image on the retina and the brain perceives this image to be fuzzy.

LASIK helps to perfect the shape of the cornea so that images can be sharply focused. The procedure can be used to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism. LASIK involves two steps, the surface of the cornea is first cut to create a flap to access the middle section of the cornea. Then an excimer laser is used to shape the cornea to achieve perfect vision. Previously, only microkeratomes involving the use of a mechanical high-speed oscillating blade were available to make the flap. Now, ‘bladeless LASIK’, in which the flap is made with another type of laser (the femtosecond laser), is available.

The surgery takes about 15 minutes and does not require any general anaesthesia, just topical anaesthetic eyedrops. Patients usually see an improvement in vision immediately after the procedure and usually have close to- normal vision by the next day. Normal activities can be resumed in just one or two days.


Where to Seek Treatment

The medical institutions within SingHealth that offer consultation and treatment for this condition include:

1. Singapore National Eye Centre
Refractive Surgery (SingLASIK Centre)
11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751

Appointments Hotline:
Tel : +65 6227 7266

International Enquiries, please contact:
Tel : +65 6100 9393
Email : ips@snec.com.sg
2. KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Children's - KK Eye Centre
100 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 229899

Appointments Hotline:
Tel : +65 6294 4050

International Enquiries, please contact:
Tel : +65 6394 8888
Email : international@kkh.com.sg


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