Frequently asked questions

Yes. It is very important, because it is done by an eye doctor (surgeon, ophthalmologist) to establish a baseline of your eye health. It serves as a reminder — especially for adults — to maintain their eye health as they age.

• First, a vision test measures the sight of each eye independently.
• Then the outer segment of the eye is evaluated at high magnification on a slit-lamp device.
• Eye drops are used to dilate the pupil, enabling examination of internal structures such as the retina, macula and nerve.
• You may wait 30 minutes to an hour for the pupil to dilate adequately.
• The dilation effect can last a few hours, during which it is normal to see hazily when driving or reading.

Yes — an examination is essential:

• For individuals of any age with symptoms of an eye problem.
• For those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
• For adults aged 40 or older, even with no signs or risk factors for eye disease.

• It can detect early eye disease you may be unaware of, e.g. glaucoma or retinal pathology.
• It can uncover systemic disease such as hypertension and diabetes.
• Disease detected early is amenable to treatment and prevention of blindness.
• Based on the initial screening, you will be advised the right intervals for follow-up exams.
• With appropriate treatment, avoidable causes of blindness such as glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy often have a favourable outcome.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It makes vision blurry, cloudy or dim, and colours appear less bright than they used to. Many people describe it as looking through a dirty glass shield.

The eye’s cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant (an intraocular lens, or IOL). At My Vision Eye Care, the only technique we use is micro-incision phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia — a sutureless procedure with no injections around the eye.

A micro-incision is made at the side of the eye and a sophisticated high-frequency ultrasound instrument gently breaks up and removes the cloudy lens. A clear IOL is then placed, allowing light to focus properly on the retina. The IOL becomes a permanent part of the eye, and the micro-incision is self-sealing.

• Cataract is removed with one of the world’s most advanced procedures — micro-incision phacoemulsification.
• The technique is minimally invasive and uses no injections around the eye.
• The incisions are so small that they require no sutures.
• The result is faster rehabilitation of not just vision, but lifestyle.

Following surgery, the micro-incision heals rapidly and allows fast rehabilitation of both vision and lifestyle.

A Cataract Questionnaire (adopted from the National Eye Institute) helps score your visual function and understand how your cataract affects daily activities. Because decreasing vision changes daily life in subtle ways, your answers help us evaluate your level of visual functioning and decide, together, on the right time for surgery.

An IOL of the appropriate power gives you the best possible single vision — far, intermediate or near. The choice depends partly on your eye’s measurements and partly on how you feel about wearing glasses for reading. Most people still need glasses for the distances the IOL doesn’t correct, but choosing a premium IOL can reduce that need.

Every IOL differs in material, size, shape and design — which together determine its inertness in the eye, biocompatibility, stability, power accuracy and tendency to develop posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It’s equally important to choose an IOL from a company with stringent quality control. Opt for an IOL with a proven, long-term good track record on all of these.

For most people, no — that’s not fully true. Except for a small number of eyes with pseudo-accommodation, the majority will still need glasses for selective activities. An IOL reduces the need for glasses; a premium IOL reduces it further.

Broadly, premium IOLs include:

• Aspheric lens
• Monofocal lens
• Multifocal or accommodative lenses
• Toric IOL
• Protective IOL filters

The most common IOL type, used for decades. It provides best-corrected vision at one distance — most people set it for distance vision and use reading glasses for near work.

These newer lenses reduce (but don’t eliminate) the need for glasses. It usually takes 6–12 weeks after second-eye surgery for the brain to adapt fully. Some people notice glare or haloes around lights at night; most adapt well, though frequent night drivers may prefer monofocal IOLs.

A monofocal IOL with astigmatism correction built in. People with significant astigmatism — where the cornea isn’t perfectly round — are usually most satisfied with toric IOLs.

Some IOLs include filters that protect the retina from UV and other potentially damaging light radiation.

• Not everyone benefits equally in terms of vision, but premium IOLs offer more safety to the eye.
• Even the most expensive IOL cannot restore a young natural lens or make up for deficits in other eye structures.
• People who have had previous eye surgery need careful evaluation, as prior surgery can affect IOL power calculation.

No. An optician’s examination gives information only about vision. Because central vision remains unaffected until the very end stage of glaucoma, a complete eye examination — not just a visual test — is essential. You need to see an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) to confirm or rule out glaucoma.

• All individuals over 40 years of age.
• Individuals with a strong family history of glaucoma should be examined even earlier.
• Consult an eye surgeon to learn whether you are at risk of developing glaucoma.

• Open-angle glaucoma
• Normal-tension glaucoma
• Angle-closure glaucoma (also called closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma)
• Congenital glaucoma
• Secondary glaucoma
• Glaucoma suspect

It is caused by a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP), which damages the optic nerve. Typically there are no symptoms in the early stages and vision remains normal; if untreated, the optic nerve becomes progressively damaged, causing irreversible vision loss.

Eye pressure rises and falls through the day, so multiple readings — together with examination of the optic nerve — are needed for diagnosis. The good news: caught early, medical treatment can prevent further vision loss.

In some eyes the pressure stays consistently below 21 mmHg, yet optic-nerve damage and vision loss still occur. A screening test followed by a complete check-up can tell if treatment is needed. It is usually managed in the same way as open-angle glaucoma.

This happens when the front of the eye is very narrow and the iris blocks the drainage angle. When the angle is completely blocked, eye pressure rises very quickly — vision suddenly becomes blurry with severe eye pain, headache, coloured haloes and vomiting. This acute attack is a true emergency; call for help immediately. People of Asian descent and those with hyperopia (farsightedness) are more at risk.

• Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be kept under control with eye drops and medication.
• Narrow-angle glaucoma can be prevented by treating the narrow angle with a simple laser procedure called YAG iridotomy.

PCO can be treated with a laser in a simple OPD (outpatient) procedure. Using a laser, part of the thickened capsule is cleared so light can once again pass directly to the retina — improving vision for the vast majority of people. This procedure is called Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy.

No, it is not a surgery. However, you should not drive yourself home afterwards — the pupil-dilating drops take time to wear off and vision may be blurry following the laser. Please arrange alternative transport.

The laser procedure is considered very safe. In some people it can cause a rise in eye pressure, swelling of the retina, or a retinal detachment.

Yes. Floaters, flashing lights, and/or a dark curtain moving across your vision may be signs of retinal detachment. Inform the doctor immediately if you experience any of these.

It happens when the front of the eye is very narrow and the iris blocks the drainage angle. When completely blocked, eye pressure rises very quickly — sudden blurred vision, severe eye pain, headache, coloured haloes and vomiting. This acute attack is a true emergency; call for help immediately.

Yes — a painful attack can be prevented by treating the narrow angle with a simple laser procedure called YAG iridotomy.

Unfortunately, people at risk often have no symptoms before an attack. People of Asian descent and those with hyperopia (farsightedness) tend to be more at risk.

Contact lenses come in two types — hard and soft. Soft lenses are the choice of most wearers because they hurt less and are accepted quickly.

A variety of soft lenses are available depending on how you prefer to wear and remove them:

• Extended-wear lenses
• Daily, weekly and monthly disposable lenses
• Toric contact lenses
• Bifocal contact lenses

These change the appearance of your eye colour and can also correct a refractive error.

• Always wash your hands with a medicated soap before handling lenses.
• Clean lenses as directed — rub and rinse thoroughly, then soak overnight in enough fresh multi-purpose solution to cover the lens.
• Store lenses in a proper case; clean it after each use, keep it open and dry, and replace it every three months or sooner.
• Use only products recommended by your eye doctor — saline and rewetting drops do not disinfect lenses.
• Use only fresh solution; never re-use old solution, and change it per the manufacturer’s schedule even if lenses aren’t worn daily.
• Follow the recommended replacement schedule.
• Remove lenses before swimming, using a hot tub, or going to bed.
• See your eye doctor for your regularly scheduled contact-lens and eye examination.

A person with dry eye may experience:

• A stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
• A feeling of dryness, grittiness or soreness
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
• Sensitivity to smoke, wind and light (photophobia)
• Redness and eye fatigue, even after short reading
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
• Excessive tearing (watering, especially in wind)
• Blurred vision — usually worse towards the end of the day — or double vision
• Eyelids sticking together on waking

• Excessive smartphone and screen use, in both children and adults
• The natural ageing process (especially menopause in women)
• Side effects of medications — antihistamines, antidepressants, some blood-pressure and Parkinson’s medicines, and birth-control pills
• Dry, dusty or windy climates
• Air conditioning or dry heating at home or the office
• Insufficient blinking while staring at a screen or TV
• Long-term contact lens wear
• Systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ocular rosacea or Sjögren’s syndrome
• Incomplete eyelid closure, eyelid disease, or a deficiency of the tear-producing glands

Good vision is key to a child’s physical and overall development. If a young child’s eyes cannot send clear images to the brain, vision may become limited in ways that cannot be corrected later in life.

Yes. If a problem is detected early, it is usually possible to treat it effectively. In some situations vision can be improved if a lazy eye is detected before 7 years of age.

Refractive errors are one common cause, so it’s important for your child to be examined right away if they have symptoms.

• Myopia (nearsightedness): the child sees close objects clearly but distant objects appear blurred.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): often associated with headache; a cycloplegic refraction may be needed to detect it.
• Astigmatism (distorted vision): distorts or blurs both near and far vision.

Seek an ophthalmologist’s opinion if:

• Your child fails a vision screening, or it is inconclusive or cannot be performed.
• Your child is referred by a paediatrician or school nurse.
• Your child has a vision complaint, abnormal visual behaviour, or is at risk of eye problems.
• Your child has a medical condition such as Down syndrome, prematurity, juvenile idiopathic arthritis or neurofibromatosis.
• There is a family history of amblyopia, strabismus, retinoblastoma, congenital cataract or congenital glaucoma.
• Your child has a learning disability, developmental delay, neuropsychological condition or behavioural issue.

The macula is a small part of the retina responsible for your central vision. Tasks such as threading a needle, reading small print, reading street signs and seeing fine detail all rely on a healthy macula.

Many older people develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as part of natural ageing — often without realising it until a vision problem appears or it’s found during an eye exam. There are two types: dry and wet. Wet (exudative/neovascular) AMD causes more severe vision loss; the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of preserving central vision.

• Dark areas or distortion in the central vision; if unchecked it can cause permanent central vision loss — but it never causes total blindness.
• It usually begins in one eye and may affect the other later.
• An eye examination identifies the risk and distinguishes dry from wet AMD.

Yes. After an eye examination, you’ll be taught how to use a simple test to self-monitor early macular degeneration at home.

Some eyes are predisposed, but these guidelines help prevent or slow AMD:

• Don’t smoke.
• Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, plus fruit and nuts daily.
• Consider a multivitamin/multimineral supplement and fish or fish-oil.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
• Wear appropriate sunglasses outdoors to block UV and blue light.
• Have regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist.

Some eyes have weak areas in the retina that can cause it to pull away from the back of the eye — a retinal detachment. A detached retina does not function normally, and vision becomes blurry.

Retinal detachment can only be treated with re-attachment surgery; untreated, it can cause irreversible blindness. It is diagnosed during an eye examination after full pupil dilation (sometimes with an ultrasound of the eye). Warning symptoms include seeing red dots, flashes of light, or a curtain-like shadow falling across the vision. Periodic dilated eye exams prevent it in most eyes.

In many cases, yes. Regular eye exams reveal early changes, and treating weak retinal areas helps prevent detachment. Use appropriate eye protection during risky activities — sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses, and protective eyewear when using machines, chemicals or tools, or while gardening. These special glasses are injury-resistant, unlike fragile ordinary plastic lenses.

Consistently high blood sugar, or long-standing diabetes, starts to damage the eye — a condition called diabetic retinopathy that usually affects both eyes. Early on there are often no noticeable changes, but as it progresses it usually causes irreversible vision loss. Sharing your recent blood-sugar control history is important.

Yes. An eye examination is the only way to detect diabetic retinopathy, and periodic comprehensive exams monitor its progression. On examination, visual acuity is measured, the front of the eye is examined on the slit-lamp, and the dilated retina, macula and optic nerve are checked for damage — after which drops, laser or further tests may be advised.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends:

• Type 1 diabetes: within five years of diagnosis, then yearly.
• Type 2 diabetes: at the time of diagnosis, then yearly.
• During pregnancy: pregnant women with diabetes should see their ophthalmologist in the first trimester, as retinopathy can progress quickly.

Rehabilitation should be considered when the eye has been affected by a disease causing central or peripheral vision loss, and the person finds it difficult to read, write, watch television or recognise faces.

Yes. The doctor helps you choose the device that best optimises your remaining vision. Simple measures — brighter room lighting, handheld and stand magnifiers, and apps on smartphones and tablets — improve vision considerably. Lifestyle changes such as reorganising your home or workspace, and using audiobooks and assistive devices, help you stay independent for most daily tasks.