MyEyeSpecialist

21/04/2021

Come listen to this interesting webinar.

16/07/2015

Putting eye drops into your eye can be quite challenging especially those who have poor vision. This is a video on how to make sure you get the most out of your eye drops that your eye specialist have prescribed. The video describes eye drops for glaucoma treatment but the technique applies for any eye drops for other conditions that your eye specialist have prescribed. Make sure that your hands and fingers are clean before you use your eye drops. Follow the storage instructions of your eye medication as some eye drops are required to be kept in the fridge. Avoid eye contact with the tip of the bottle while instilling your eye drops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhkRAaIbIuE

How to take eye drops. The most effective and efficient technique to take eye drops and instill them for maximum efficacy. Learn how to use eye drops with th...

11/07/2015

This is a good instructional video on how to perform lid hygiene of your eye specialist instructs you do clean your eyelids. Your eye specialist would usually advise you to perform lid hygiene for conditions such as Meibomian Gland dysfunction (overaction of your oily glands around the lid margins) and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margins). Symptoms include itchiness and crustiness of the eyelids. An alternative to the cleaning solution as mentioned in the video is a solution that is made up of clean, boiled water (that has cooled down) and a few drops of baby shampoo. There are commercially available lid wipes for such purpose. Perform lid hygiene twice daily as recommended for a month before reducing it's frequency the following month if the symptoms improve. Please consult your eye specialist if your symptoms does not improve or recurs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0L37Rir7Kg

This video shows you how to clean your eyelid the proper way.

08/05/2015

They have their Ebola virus, we have our dengue fever. The eye is an extension of our neurological system, yet unique because it's somewhat "protected" from our own immune system. However, sometimes a bug or two manage to creep into the eye or cause an uncontrolled immune reaction to the eye!

04/05/2015

Dengue fever can also affect the eye. Symptoms usually consist of blurred vision or blind spots. It is caused by bleeding, inflammation and swelling of the eye. Some of the eye complications of dengue fever can be treated. You have to notify your physician if you experience such symptoms when diagnose with dengue fever.

19/03/2015

An intraocular lens or more commonly known as IOL is almost always inserted during cataract surgery. It is made of various materials but more commonly of polymetylmethacrylate (PMMA), silicone or acrylic. This lens is required to replace your natural cataractous lens to help focus light from images sharply into your eye.

The monofocal lens are a single focal distance lens. This is usually measured to allow clear vision for distance. With monofocal lenses, you have a good chance of NOT needing spectacle correction for distant vision but may (not always) require reading glasses for near reading. This is the most common lens implanted and have a long track record.

The toric lenses are single focal distance lenses but have an astigmatism correction element in them. After implanting toric IOLs, your astigmatism will be reduced if not eliminated completely. You may still have to wear reading glasses for near vision

The multifocal / trifocal / accommodative IOLs are similar to your multifocal spectacles. These IOLs have differing focal distances and meant to allow good vision for differing distances (near/intermediate/far). The technology is not perfect thus some compromise on the clarity of the differing distances have to be considered while discussing with your surgeon. These "premium" IOL are significantly more expensive than your monofocals lenses.

The suitability of each IOL should be discussed thoroughly with your ophthalmologist before surgery to cater for the individual's needs.

03/07/2014

I I would like to discuss something that has previously been mentioned and is close to my heart … the epidemic of myopia (shortsightedness)!

It used to be more common in Asian populations (especially people of Chinese descent), but now it is also prevalent in other ethnic groups. The probable reason, apart from genetics (which we can’t control, at the moment) is the LACK of outdoor activity!

Mild to moderate shortsightedness is manageable with corrective spectacles or contact lenses. However, severe shortsightedness can lead to amblyopia (lazy eyes) if it is not corrected promptly at an early age (2 – 7 years old). People with severe myopia are at higher risk of eye problems such as retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration when they are older, compared to the normal population. Ocular surgery (cataract surgery) is more complex amongst this group.

There are a few steps to PREVENT myopia in children:-
1. Encourage outdoor activity at least 2 hours a day
2. Restrict time spent on smartphones, tablets, television and computers
3. Get an eye examination at least once a year by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist

So, remember KIDS, 2 HOURS OUTDOORS A DAY, KEEPS THE EYE DOCTOR AWAY!

P.S. Any screen time outdoors doesn't count!!!

25/02/2014

I will be starting a series to demystify terminologies that optometrists or ophthalmologists use in their daily practices. When you visit an eye health provider, you might hear the term 6/6 or 20/20 vision. When you are able to see 6/6 vision, it means you have perfect vision. The number above signifies the distance of the chart from your eyes which is usually 6m (20 feet). The denominator or the number below signifies the distance of the chart that a person with normal vision is able to read the letter.

I.e. The largest letter of the chart is usually 6/60. If you are able to read that letter only, it means that you are able to read it at 6m when instead someone with normal vision is able to read it at 60m! That means your vision is poor.
If you get to read the 6/5 letter/line, it means you have better than perfect vision. A person with normal vision is able to read it at 5m when YOU can read it at 6m!!! That means your vision is better than normal!

08/02/2014

An interesting new condition of the eye (DIGITAL EYE STRAIN) with the increased use of tablets and portable computers.
http://my.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/healthy-living/eye-condition-70-adults-without-knowing-193700906.html

The average American spends 6 to 9 hours every day staring at some type of computer screen, whether it's a tablet, a laptop, or a smartphone. If that sounds familiar, you may join the ranks of the nearly 70% of adults who suffer from "digital eye strain"

26/08/2013

Omega-3 oils may aid in the protection against retinal degeneration such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130816/Omega-3-rich-oils-improve-membrane-fluidity-in-retina-cells-and-help-fight-age-related-eye-diseases.aspx

Scientists working at the Research Center on Aging at the Health and Social Services Centre - University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke (CSSS-IUGS) have been studying strategies for protecting retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.

26/08/2013

Telemedicine is the future. The uses of smartphones are endless. Now, you can use your smartphone to take photos of your eyes and get it diagnosed remotely.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22553730

08/08/2013

It is important that when your doctor instructs you to put eye drops or ointment, you should try to follow the instructions for optimal effect.

Instilling eye drops can be a difficult task especially if your vision is blurry. The easiest way to put in eye drops is to get someone else to help you. However, is you are instilling them on your own, a mirror would help.

Pull your lower eyelid downwards so that a pocket would form between your eyeball and your lid. Instill 1-2 eye drops as per instructed by your doctor into that pocket that is formed. Blink. Wipe whatever excess drops from the cheeks but try not to wipe the eye itself.

If instilling multiple medication, I would recommend to leave at least 5-10 minutes between each drop as you do not want to wash the initial drop away from the eye with the subsequent medication.

It is the same for eye ointment/cream. Apply into the pocket like a toothpaste and blink. Wipe away any excess from the cheeks and lid.

Most eye drops do not have to be kept in the fridge. Do not freeze eye drops!!! Read the label for storage recommendations. Most eye drops last for about 4-6 weeks.