10 Questions answered

Is it possible to have cataract surgery that also corrects myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism after LASIK?

Hi! Yes, during cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced by an implanted artificial lens. By choosing the appropriate power of the implanted lens, myopia can be corrected. Special lenses can also be chosen to correct astigmatism (toric lenses) and presbyopia (multifocal lenses). Hope this clarifies!

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

Can long-standing chalazia be treated without an incision? (photo)

Hi there! I'm sorry that your chalazion has lasted for so long! There are some conservative measures that you can take to see if the chalazion resolves on its own - lid hygiene, warm compress, and antibiotic ointment. I usually ask my patients to perform lid hygiene. Purchase some cotton squares (that are used for makeup removal), fold a square twice and dip the blunt edge into a mixture of baby shampoo (that doesn't irritate your eye) and warm water.

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

What are the treatments for glaucoma?

Hi there! The treatment options for glaucoma can be broadly divided into 3 categories -- medications, lasers, and surgeries. All these treatment options have the common aim of lowering eye pressures so that the optic nerve does not continue to be damaged, and vision can be preserved. Medications are usually in the form of eyedrops. There are 5 classes of eyedrops (4 commonly used, 1 less common), which can be used either singly or in combination.

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

How does high myopia increase my risk of glaucoma?

Hi there! The exact reason why myopia causes glaucoma is not known. One possible hypothesis is that when you have very high myopia, your eyeball becomes stretched and the tissue supporting the nerve in the eye is weaker so you are at more risk of nerve damage from high pressures (or even pressures in the "normal" range). Reduced blood flow to the optic nerve in highly myopic eyes could be another reason. However, these are all hypotheses which have yet to be proven.

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

Can dry eyes cause serious problems in the long term?

Hi there! I'm sorry to learn that your dry eye condition is causing you discomfort. Please resist the temptation to rub! In my years of practice, I have seen some very bad consequences from vigourous eye-rubbing, including cataract and retinal detachment, which can be sight threatening! Dry eyes is actually a relatively common condition, and majority of cases are (thankfully) mild. However I can empathize that the symptoms of grittiness, like having sand in the eye, tearing, and the fear of bright lights etc can be quite bothersome.

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

What is the link between glaucoma and diabetes?

Hi there! Diabetes can affect the blood vessels that deliver oxygen to the eye, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the cells in the eye. When this happens, the eye responds by producing new blood vessels, with the hope of getting more oxygen delivered to its cells. However, these new blood vessels grow hapzardly in different parts of the eye, including at the drainage angle, leading to obstruction of the drainage system that normally allows fluid (aqueous) to flow out of the eye.

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Hi there! Symptoms of glaucoma can either be from build-up of pressure within the eye, or visual loss as a result of the high pressures. Glaucoma can be broadly divided into two categories, "open" or "closed" angle, depending on the configuration of the drainage angle of the eye, where fluid (aqueous) is drained out of the eye. Depending on the rate of build-up of pressure, glaucoma can be further described to be "acute" (or sudden), or "chronic" (or gradual). In most cases of open angle glaucoma and chronic closed angle glaucoma, the build-up of pressure is gradual, and without symptoms.

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

Are there any long term side effects of using eye drops for dry eyes?

Congrats on your LASIK surgery! Dry eye symptoms are quite common after LASIK surgery. Having done LASIK myself I find that these symptoms tend to get better with time. Lubricants can broadly be divided into two types -- the ones that come in a bottle (that contain preservatives), and the ones that come in little disposable tubes (that do not contain preservatives).

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Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

How to treat a stye if it is still swollen after using antibiotic eyedrops, and when does it need to be drained?

I'm sorry to hear that you have had a stye for so long! I used to have styes as a teenager and can understand the discomfort and frustration it is causing you. Our eye lid margin contain numerous oil glands, which secrete oil to lubricate our eyes (as part of the tear film). The opening of these oil glands can frequently get blocked, resulting in the secretions accumulating and forming a lump. When bacteria gains entry into this mass, it may cause an infection, resulting in a large, red, painful lump of pus, that may be either on the underside or outside of your eyelids.

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Answered By

Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

What causes floaters in the eye, and how effective is laser treatment for floaters?

Our eyes are divided into 2 main compartments, a smaller one in front, and a larger one behind, separated by the lens. Any particle/ opacity in the rear compartment will cause a shadow to be cast on the retina, resulting in the visual perception of floaters. The rear compartment is filled with a firm gel (vitreous) which is normally transparent. As we age, the gel degenerates and liquefies, and some undissolved gel particles may remain within the cavity. As light enters the eye, these particles cast shadows on the retina, resulting in floaters.

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Answered By

Dr Desmond Quek

Ophthalmologist

Practice

Eagle Eye Centremt Alvernia 820 Thomson Road, Mount Alvernia Hospitalsingapore 574623

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* This profile has been last updated on September 1, 2020.