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Blurred Vision? A Singaporean Ophthalmologist Explains Why It's Important To Get Checked

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Portrait of Dr Claudine Pang
Dr Claudine Pang

March 14th, 2019· 5 min read

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I just want to be prepared...

Dr Claudine Pang has performed more than 10,000 eye procedures and is a highly decorated consultant ophthalmologist with various awards under her belt.

Her main focus is on helping her patients retain good eyesight at all times.

For her, when it comes to the eyes, wellness revolves heavily around the preservation and good health of the retina - the most critical part of your eye.

Here are some things she has to say regarding blurred vision.

Cataracts are a leading cause of blurred vision

old woman with glasses drinking tea

If you're experiencing blurred vision, this could be a sign of cataracts.

In fact, the condition doesn't just affect old people; patients from as early as 35 years old can develop cataracts.

Cataracts can be caused by various factors

old man with glasses in living room

Genetic, dietary, and lifestyle factors can lead to cataract development. This includes over-exposure to ultraviolet sunlight or prolonged steroid use.

Get a full eye check (not just for cataracts)

eye chart

You may want to get your eyes checked just for cataracts but a full eye check is recommended in order to screen for other underlying causes for vision issues like glaucoma and retinal problems.

Cataract surgery in Singapore is very safe

cataract surgery in an operating theatre

With a success rate of over 99%, cataract surgery in Singapore is considered very safe.

However, there is some risk even if it is very low. Complications include infections, bleeding, and retinal tears.

Cataract surgery in Singapore costs between $1500 – $8000

mother and daughter smiling and hugging

The average cost of the cataract surgery procedure alone (without the cost of the lens implant) is approximately $3000 – 5000.

Out-of-pocket costs are determined by various factors including whether it's done in a private or public hospital.

Yes, cataract surgery is covered by Medishield

piggy bank with glasses and calculator
Many patients have managed to claim the entire cost of their bill from Medishield.

Every Singaporean and Permanent Resident can claim up to $2450 for cataract surgery from their Medisave account.

Blurred vision can also be caused by dry eyes

blurred view of a city at night

Whether you have just completed LASiK surgery or you've just been staring at the computer for too long, dry eyes can often lead to blurred vision.

Eyedrops may work but they are temporary solutions and, in some cases, can be completely ineffective.

Eye mist sprays can help dry eyes retain moisture

eye mist spray

Eye mist sprays for dry eyes utilise patented liposome technology to encourage protection against moisture loss.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) can also be used to treat dry eyes

ipl for eyes

Among the many options, IPL is typically used for acne and hair removal but can now also treat dry eyes.

It works by transmitting heat to the meimomian glands, restoring normal tear function.


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Dr Claudine Pang is a Consultant Ophthalmologist who graduated with a Distinction and Gold Medal in Medical Ethics. With more than 13 years experience, her forte is in cataract surgery, myopia prevention, macular and retinal diseases. She has two cheekily cute kids and spends almost all her time outside work with them. Her hobbies are dancing, golfing and baking.

I hope that you've found this guide useful, and perhaps gained more insight into the application process. Most of the admissions-related information (admin and logistics wise) can be found on the official NUS Faculty of Dentistry website.

To help yourself out, you should take note of what people look for when they look for a dentist.

This article was written by Dr Claudine Pang and published on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. Human medically reviewed the article on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. The last update was made on Friday, 18 September 2020.

Disclaimer: Opinions belong to the author and not to the platform.

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