The Division of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus comprises a team of paediatric eye specialists (paediatric ophthalmologists), orthoptists and allied health staff. We are committed to delivering comprehensive and accurate diagnosis and management for all paediatric conditions, and strabismus in both children and adults.
Our services welcome referrals from polyclinics, general practitioners (GPs) and other medical professionals. Private patients can be seen as self-referrals or through the International Patient Liaison Service (IPLC).
Our team serves children with a variety of conditions, including:
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is the most common eye condition affecting children in Singapore. Notably, over half of children develop myopia by the age of 12, with an increasing number experiencing myopia at even younger age.
Vision testing involves reading a series of letters or numbers of diminishing size on a chart placed 3 or 6 metres away. If the vision score is found to be reduced, refraction (spectacle power check) is performed to identify any refractive errors. Cycloplegic eye drops are often used in children to obtain accurate refraction. These eye drops reduce eye muscle spasms, a natural occurrence in children, allowing for an accurate examination. The eye drops also temporarily dilate the pupils to allow a full eye examination. It is important to note that the child's vision may be blurred for up to a day after dilatation.
What Are the Prevention and Treatment Options for Myopia in Children?
Myopia cannot be cured; however, there are options to control and slow down its progression.
Atropine Eye Drops
POISe is a new programme offered by the Department of Ophthalmology and Paediatric Rheumatology, designed to provide a one-stop, integrated service for children with paediatric ocular inflammatory conditions. Using a multidisciplinary approach to medical care, the goal is to enhance our young patients' journey through their diagnosis and treatment process.
The POISe clinic operates every first Monday of odd months.
In general, children diagnosed with ocular inflammatory conditions can expect to receive the following benefits:
With POISe, the child is attended to by both Ophthalmology and Paediatrics specialists in a single clinic visit. This reduces the frequency of clinic visits, eliminating the need for travel between specialists. The collaboration between both specialists is enhanced, enabling more effective monitoring of the patient's progress. Procedures such as assessing the child's response to therapies, discussing test results and medication, as well as counselling, are streamlined and conducted in the same session.
POISe also provides easy access to a variety of child-friendly support services (e.g., sedation for scans) not commonly found in other Ophthalmology clinics. The child receives a higher quality of care, positively influencing the success rate of their therapy.
A squint can impact a child's vision, potentially leading to a condition known as a 'lazy eye', where the affected eye may not see clearly. Early detection and treatment are crucial for the effective cure of a 'lazy eye'. The timeliness of intervention significantly influences the outcome.
Individuals with a squint can only use one eye at a time, affecting their ability to judge distances and depth accurately. This, in turn, can affect the child's career and sports preferences in the future. Additionally, a squint can have implications for a child's appearance and self-confidence. Hence, there may be a preference for early surgical intervention to address the squint.
Finally, it is important to note that an eye with a squint may be associated with other underlying conditions that require appropriate treatment. Early assessment and intervention can play a pivotal role in addressing these associated conditions.
A child with a squint needs a full eye examination. This process may take time, especially as young children can be uncooperative and may require sedation..
Treatment strategies may include a combination of patching, spectacles, eye drops, eye exercises and in certain cases, surgery. The effectiveness of spectacles in correcting refractive errors depends on consistent wear, which can be a challenge with children. Parents play a crucial role in ensuring that their child wears spectacles regularly.
The treatment of a 'lazy eye' often involves patching the good eye to encourage the use of the 'lazy eye', enhancing the overall results of surgery. If patching or eyeglasses prove ineffective, surgery is recommended to straighten the eyes, improving both appearance and the ability to use both eyes together.
Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer in children globally. Affecting 1 in every 12,000 to 15,000 children, it typically manifests around 2 years of age. However, instances have been noted as early. Left untreated, the disease often progresses beyond the eye, infiltrating the eye socket, the brain, and eventually other parts of the body, leading to fatalities. Thus, it is not only sight-threatening but also life-threatening.
For more information on Retinoblastoma and the management of Retinoblastoma at NUH, please see Retinoblastoma. (Link to Retinoblastoma accordion at Oculoplastics page)
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vision-threatening eye disease that affects premature babies. This condition arises when abnormal blood vessels form in the eye(s) of the premature baby, potentially leading to bleeding and scarring. In severe cases, these vessels may lead to retinal detachment, causing the retina to shift from its normal position in the eye.
Infants born before 31 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 1,500g are at the highest risk of developing ROP
A comprehensive consultation may take up to 2.5 hours, and duration of your visit may be longer if specialised testing is needed or complex eye problems are identified.
