A primary eye care professional, an optometrist examines, diagnoses, and treats a broad range of eye and vision problems. This is universally true, even in Singapore. The following are some of the most critical roles and responsibilities of an optometrist in Singapore:
- Vision Testing: Optometrists do thorough eye examinations to identify refractive flaws including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, as well as evaluate a patient’s visual acuity and the need for corrective eyewear like glasses or contact lenses or orthokeratology Singapore. In order to do this, they use a number of techniques, such as tests of visual acuity and refraction and analyses of binocular vision.
- Prescription of Corrective Devices: Optometrists evaluate a patient’s vision and eye health before prescribing and fitting the patient with eyewear such as glasses, contact lenses, or other visual aids. They take into consideration things like the patient’s refractive defect, the strength of the prescription, the individual’s lifestyle, and their preferences.
- Detection and Diagnosis of Eye Conditions: Optometrists in Singapore get the education necessary to recognize and diagnose common eye ailments and illnesses. These conditions and diseases include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome. In order to determine the state of the patient’s vision and eye health, they make use of specific tools and procedures such as tonometry, slit lamp examinations, and fundus photography.
- Management of Eye Health: Patients who suffer from chronic eye diseases are often referred to optometrists for continuous treatment and management. They monitor the situation closely, provide medication, recommend lifestyle modifications, and refer patients to specialists like optometrists if necessary.
- Contact Lens Services: Individuals in Singapore who are interested in the use of contact lenses as a form of vision correction may consult with optometrists about being fitted for lenses, receiving instruction on how to properly care for their lenses, and receiving follow-up care. They determine whether or not contact lenses are appropriate for the patient, train them on the correct way to use them and maintain their cleanliness, and monitor the patient’s eye health.
- Pediatric Eye Care: Optometrists have a crucial role in the care of young patients, especially in the detection and treatment of vision problems, amblyopia (also called “lazy eye”), and strabismus (also called “misalignment of the eyes”). Children are given specialized exams, glasses are given out if it is judged that the child need them, and referrals are made to other specialists if it is determined that the child requires more help.
- Pre- and Post-operative Care: Pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing laser vision correction (LASIK) or cataract surgery is provided by optometrist Singapore in close collaboration with ophthalmologists. Eligibility is determined, pre-operative counseling is given, the patient’s recovery is monitored, and any problems that arise after surgery are addressed.
Remember that optometrists are not MDs and don’t do surgery; they only treat eye diseases. Despite being experts in treating common eye problems, they have this issue. They collaborate with ophthalmologists and other medical professionals to provide comprehensive treatment for their patients’ eyes.
