Focus on Eye Care

While most of us head to the dentist for regular check-ups, our primary sense – sight – often gets neglected. Yet, in the age of the smartphone – not to mention the relentless glare of the Singapore sunshine – eye examinations are more important than ever

Located at The Grandstand in Bukit Timah, Clarity Eyecare is the brainchild of Angel Chin and optometrist Windi, who say they take a different approach to eye care. Great eye health for everyone is their goal, and they see their optical store, filled with new eye-screening machines and top spectacle brands, as a complement to that ethos. Issues related to eye health have come more prominently to the fore in recent times because of the increase in use of mobile phones and computers. A study by the American Academy of Optometry has found that around half of people who take a routine eye test need a different prescription. “People are getting cataracts at an earlier age, and their eyes are having to work harder to pull together to read at short distances,” says Windi. “This makes them feel more tired, and their eyes are getting less rest time than ever.” For those who look at screens for hours every day, he can prescribe contact lenses with a blue- light protection feature that partially blocks the light emitted from mobile devices.

Angel and Windi find that the most common cause of poor eye health is that people just aren’t getting their eyes tested regularly enough. What’s more, there are additional health issues that can be detected through these tests. “These include brain tumours and, in older patients, diabetic retinopathy and high cholesterol,” says Windi.

An eye test at Clarity goes further than a regular vision test. As well as a review of your current contact lenses or glasses prescription, they conduct eye pressure tests to see if you’re at risk of glaucoma, and cornea tests to check for any sign of cataracts. They then check the retina for problems like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and also use the Amsler chart – a check for macular degeneration – to see if the central part of the eye is healthy.

In addition, they sends all their eye test reports to a certified eye surgeon, who often sees things that an optometrist can’t; patients can also be referred very quickly.

Angel and Windi recommend annual eye tests for adults, and every six months for children. Prices at Clarity range from $25 to $85, depending on whether you opt for a basic, advanced or premium test.

MYTH: Breast cancers are always in the form of a lump TRUTH: Symptoms of breast cancer are quite variable. The most common symptom is a painless lump in the breast, but breast cancer can also present itself as persistent breast swelling, continual skin thickening or puckering, or lumps in the armpit. Patients should also pay attention to nipple changes (such as a new onset of nipple retraction, persistent rash over the nipple or bloody discharge from the nipple).

MYTH:

You don’t need mammograms if you lead a healthy lifestyle TRUTH: Mammograms are still essential for breast health, no matter what. While it’s true that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by 10 to 20 percent, patients who lead healthy lifestyles can still develop the disease. A screening mammogram can detect cancer in the breast even before the tumour can be felt or cause any symptoms. An early diagnosis can reduce the need for major surgery,. and hopefully avoid the need for chemotherapy as well. It’s recommended that women aged from 40 to 49 go for annual screening mammograms and, after turning 50, a mammogram once every two years.