Am I a Candidate for LASIK Surgery?

A simple prescription for eyeglasses or contacts is already enough to correct vision problems such as myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism for most people. Corrective eyewear, however, are only temporary and constantly need upgrading every few months or year. For some people with very high prescriptions, or those who want a more permanent solution to blurry eyesight, LASIK treatments are recommended.

However, LASIK is not for everybody. Here’s a short checklist to help you determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the procedure or not:

Age: Most ophthalmologists require their patient to be 18 years old and above to be an eligible candidate for LASIK. At this time, your eyes would have fully matured and have a more stable prescription.

Overall health: You should be in generally good health, meaning that you are not diagnosed with any conditions that may be worsened by LASIK surgery, or impede healing after LASIK. Such disorders include diabetes, and vascular and autoimmune illnesses.

Eye health: Similarly, you should not have chronic eye problems that can affect the results of LASIK surgery, as well as influence healing time and full recovery. Alternative options for LASIK are usually recommended for those with severe dry eyes, glaucoma, keratoconus, strabismus and lazy eye.

Stable vision: It is recommended that you first have a stable eye prescription for one whole year before undergoing LASIK treatments.

Corneal thickness: Likewise, you should have a corneal thickness of not less than 0.5mm to qualify as a candidate for LASIK surgery.

If you meet all the requirements above, then you have a higher chance of getting a go-signal to have LASIK treatments. To be 100% sure, however, you’re still recommended to visit the right ophthalmologist for further testing to determine not only your eligibility, but also how to ensure the procedure’s success.

Dr. Steve Seah is a sought-after senior consultant ophthalmologist in Singapore specializing in LASIK treatments and other laser-assisted procedures to manage eye disorders such as cataracts and glaucoma. Schedule an appointment with him today at 6565-6888.

5 Daily Habits That Are Hurting Your Eyes by Steve Seah - Your Singapore Eye Specialist

Your eyes are your windows to the world, but how often do you take care of them?

Good eye health starts with a choice, and whether you know it or not, you actually make a choice every second, every day. Here are five ways you may not realize you’re hurting your eyes and what you can do about them:

#1. Getting too much screen time. Staring at your smartphone and computer screens for a long time leads to eye strain, and dry and tired eyes, which in turn leads to blurred vision, headaches and dizziness. Since we are at an age where exposure to digital technology is unavoidable, the best workaround to limit your screen time is with the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something from 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple step will give your eyes a much-needed break and reduce eye strain. Enlarging the text on your screens and avoiding using your gadgets at night will also prevent fatigue and sleep disorders.

#2. Rubbing your eyes. As tempting as it may be, rubbing your eyes when they get dry or itchy is a big no-no. It may actually do more harm than good. Excessive rubbing can break the blood vessels in the eyelids, and spread germs and bacteria into the eyes if your hands are dirty. Using tear drops or an ice compress is the better alternative to washing away debris from your eyes, calm an itch or bring instant relief.

#3. Wearing your contact lens for too long. This includes wearing them in the shower or while sleeping, or wearing overused contact lenses with an expired prescription. While convenient, doing these increases the risk of bacteria entering your eye and causing infections, even blindness. The simple solution is to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for your contacts, from the use of solution to the replacement schedule. Trading in your contact lens for prescription glasses at certain points of the day will also let your eyes rest and breath.

#4. Not wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses are not only for fashion, they help protect your eyes from exposure to the sun’s UV rays, which puts you at risk for conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. As much as possible, when you go out, put on a pair of sunglasses, or UV-protected eyeglasses or contact lenses. Pairing your shades with caps and visors is also a plus.

#5. Not visiting your eye doctor. Having your eyes checked regularly by your ophthalmologist, especially if you feel that something is wrong, is the best way to ensure eye health and detect vision-impairing conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration at their earliest.  

Dr. Steve Seah is a sought-after Singapore eye specialist with an extensive clinical experience in the management of various eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataract and refractive errors. Schedule an appointment for eye screening at 6565-6888

Simple Ways to Protect Your Eyes by Dr Steve Seah (Singapore Eye Surgeon)

There’s a saying that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The same can be said about quick and easy solutions that promise to correct your eyesight without the need for prescription glasses and surgery. The truth, however, is that vision problems are typically caused by problems in the eye anatomy, and thus, cannot be treated naturally and without medical assistance.

On the other hand, you can take specific steps to maintain your eye health, reducing the risk of vision problems and more serious conditions as you age. 

1. Have your eyes checked regularly. Most eye conditions do not cause symptoms during their early stages. Visiting your optometrist or ophthalmologist can help detect these illnesses when they are easier to treat, and can help prevent vision impairments. You are also encouraged to visit your physician to check if you are at a higher risk of developing eye diseases, or illnesses like diabetes that lead to eye problems. 

2. Eat a balanced and eye-friendly diet. Fruits and vegetables are particularly rich in antioxidants, which reduce the risk of cataracts. Getting your daily dose of vitamins and omega-3 acids will also protect your eyes from age-related conditions such as macular degeneration. 

3. Aside from a healthy diet, you will also benefit from adding exercises to your daily schedule. Simply walking can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 70 percent, studies show. Some eye exercises may also be done with the supervision of your eye doctor. 

4. Make sure to use appropriate eyewear. Not only should you use prescription glasses or contact lenses that are up to date, but you should also take extra effort to choose eyewear that protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation. 

5. Rest your eyes. Taking time off from your computer screen or phone can help prevent eyestrain and fatigue. Try the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes on the computer or phone, look away for 20 seconds and focus on an object about 20 feet away.

6. Don’t smoke. Those who smoke regularly are at a greater risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye conditions. 

Steve Seah Eye Centre is equipped with highly advanced and comprehensive screening and diagnostic tools to accurately detect and treat refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma and other conditions. To learn more about  our Singapore Eye Surgery and Eye Surgeon, then you can send a message at steveseaheyecentre@gmail.com or call (65) 6565 6888.

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Glaucoma Diet: What to Eat & What to Avoid by Steve Seah your Singapore Eye Specialist

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of progressive and permanent vision loss in the world. Characterized by a build-up of eye pressure that damages the optic nerve, it is known as the silent thief of sight because it slowly causes blindness without showing any symptoms until its later stages. It’s important to note that treatment of glaucoma only halts the progression of vision loss. The condition itself is incurable, and damage done pre-treatment is irreparable.

In this case, the age-old adage, “Prevention is better than cure.” applies. There are plenty of ways by which you can reduce your risk of developing glaucoma, from engaging in certain exercises to moderating the food you eat. Here’s a list of what and what not to eat to promote eye health and prevent the development of any eye disease, glaucoma or not:

What to Eat

If you want perfectly good eyesight, don’t forget your fruits and vegetables. Dark, leafy greens, yellows and oranges are especially rich in carotenoids, zeaxanthin and the “eye vitamin” lutein, which not only promote vision health, but protect against other illnesses as well. These include spinach, kale, cabbage, collard greens, broccoli, carrot, Brussels sprout, sweet potatoes, beans, squash, mango and peach.

A variety of food is also a great source of vitamins beneficial for eye health, which are:

·         Vitamin A: carrots, egg yolks, sweet potatoes, milk, liver, mangos

·         Vitamin C: citrus fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes, green peppers

·         Vitamin D: fish liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna, dairy products

·         Vitamin E: eggs, cereals, whole grains, fruits, leafy vegetables, nuts

Certain eye conditions like cataracts and vision impairments have been linked to zinc deficiency. Aside from supplements, you can up your daily zinc intake by consuming red meat, poultry, beans, seafood, whole grains, cereals and dairy products.

What to Avoid

It’s not enough to just eat eye-friendly food. You should also know which ones to avoid or consume in moderation.

Caffeine, for instance, is known for its antioxidant properties. However, drinking too much can increase intraocular pressure and decrease blood flow to the retina. Caffeine-rich products include coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks. Instead of these, you may want to consider healthier alternatives like decaf coffee, herbal tea, lemon water or hot water.

Drinking a large amount of fluid in a short period of time is also harmful for your eyes. Similar to excessive caffeine intake, doing so also increases intraocular pressure. To prevent this, you should just control your fluid intake frequency, choosing to sip small amounts several times throughout the day, instead of drinking a large volume at once.

Dr. Steve Seah is a Singapore eye specialist offers specialized services for the diagnosis and treatment of cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors. If you want to book an appointment or learn more about the services offered at Steve Seah Eye Centre, call (65) 6565 6888 or send a message at steveseaheyecentre@gmail.com.

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Things to Do When Selecting an Eye Doctor

Getting old is inevitable, and sooner or later we will be needing to go to the eye doctor for some consolation because there will come a point in our lives where we will experience some discomfort in our eyes.  Our eyes are one of the most soft and delicate part of our body, we must take care of it since it plays big role in accomplishing important activities in our lives.

Visiting the eye doctor is easy, but finding a trustworthy and respectable one, well that is hard. Here are some of the things you can do before choosing an eye doctor:

Ask for References

Remember the time when you bought something online and you checked the reviews first before you purchased the item? Well, that works well with doctors too. The internet is vast and immense and it can tell you a lot of things if you just choose the right keywords when searching. Look for some reviews in the internet, or ask your friends or relatives if they can recommend a trusted eye doctor in Singapore. You can also think of everyone you know who wears glasses, they all have eye doctors.

Find a Pleasant Clinic

A pleasant office will build long-lasting relationships to patients. These offices have qualities like sincerity and genuineness.

They take their time to know their patients very well, like the details about their vision requirements and lifestyle, the right prescription for their eyeglasses or contact lenses. A good office will encourage their patients to have regular eye exams even though they do not wear eyeglasses or contacts, and even if their vision is sharp.

Most patients want a clinic that can help them with everything about their eye care needs. Choose a doctor you are comfortable with and that you can confide in, because eye health has a big impact in the quality of life.

Look for an Eye Doctor that is Punctual

If your doctor shows up on time, it means that he is dependable. Being punctual shows that your doctor respects you and your time. There are doctors that will try to work in emergency visits during the day, that is why they tend to leave gaps in their schedules in case they have emergency visits in a day. These are the good doctors, who think ahead of time for their patients.

Your eyes serve as a window to your overall health. It is a vital part of your everyday life, that is why your choice of a good eye doctor is not one that should be taken lightly.

Dr Steve Seah is a senior consultant ophthalmologist, He has a vast clinical experience in the treatment of glaucoma. He is recognized for his work in LASIK and received training by world-renowned presbyopia LASIK expert and he was also selected as the head and senior consultant of Glaucoma Service in Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) as well as head of Glaucoma Research Unit in Singapore Eye Research Institute. If you have any questions or would like to request for additional information concerning our Singapore Eye Surgeon, then click on our website http://www.steveseaheyecentre.com.