Woman with a Vision: A doctor’s passion for complete eye rejuvenation

Here’s why this eye doctor loves her job, and how she’s using her specialty training to do good.

“When you think of the eye, you may not realise how perfectly every structure or layer comes together to provide us with the vision we take for granted,” says DR AUDREY LOOI. Dr Looi has over 20 years of clinical experience managing general and specialised eye conditions, and it’s this complexity of the eye that first got her interested in pursuing a career in ophthalmology. And (pardon the pun) it’s her own eye for aesthetics that drew her to what is known as oculoplastic surgery.

Oculoplastic surgery combines the microsurgery of ophthalmology with the cosmetic principles of plastic surgery to achieve the best results for patients looking for or needing surgical repair around the eyes. For example, it can treat conditions affecting the eyelids, the tear ducts and the orbit (eye socket), including thyroid eye disease, which causes the eyes to have a bulging appearance.

Dr Looi’s passion for helping patients with both medical disorders and cosmetic concerns is what inspired her to start her own practice. So, after years of work at Singapore National Eye Centre – where she was a clinical director and the head of a department – she opened Ava Eye Clinic in early 2019.

Eye procedures

The clinic offers services for all kinds of conditions – from dry, itchy eyes, to frequent tearing and eye redness. There are also treatments for myopia and glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, along with cataract surgery and various procedures for both curative and cosmetic purposes – an approach to “complete rejuvenation of the eyes”, says Dr Looi.

Two of the most common issues that patients come in for are cataracts and droopy eyelids. The latter, known as ptosis, occurs with age and can eventually inhibit sight. Fixing the problem by surgically elevating the upper eyelid has the added advantage of making the patient look more alert and refreshed. In fact, she says that many of the patients who come to her with cataracts are at the age when they’re also experiencing drooping eyelids, so both surgeries can be done within a short period of time to improve all problems.

“I enjoy performing these surgeries. Cataract surgery now allows us to correct refractive error to the point where glasses aren’t needed post-operation. The immediate improvement in vision is delightful, and I so love sharing that moment with my patients,” she says.

“Following cataract surgery, eyelid repair can be performed. I particularly enjoy working with both male and female patients to rejuvenate the eye area – especially in cases where the upper eyelids are starting to droop or appear heavy. Or, when eye bags are getting more prominent and making the patient look tired. It really makes my day when patients are happy after surgery.”

A new chance for children

When she’s not treating patients at Ava Eye Clinic, Dr Looi keeps busy as a founding director of iC2 PrepHouse, a charity that supports children with visual impairments.

“The main aim is to help equip students with low vision with the skills they need to continue learning in mainstream schools. This starts with special assessments by our vision teachers to determine how much useful vision a child still has. A customised programme is then planned for each child. This might include learning the use of text enlargement devices, text-to-audio software programmes or braille, depending on the extent of the visual loss.”

To learn more about iC2 PrepHouse, visit ic2.com.sg.

Ava Eye Clinic

#20-01 Royal Square Medical Centre, 101 Irrawaddy Road

6250 7377 | avaeyeclinic.com