Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, refers to difficulty seeing distant objects clearly while having a clear vision of nearby objects. This common vision condition typically begins in childhood or adolescence.
Myopia is a significant public health concern in Singapore, earning the country the title of the “Myopia Capital of the World” due to having one of the highest myopia rates in the world. Approximately 65 per cent of children and 83 per cent of young adults in Singapore are affected by this condition.
Myopia is caused by a refractive error in the eye. In a healthy eye, light rays converge perfectly onto the retina, creating sharp vision. However, in myopia, the eyeball is elongated or the cornea is excessively curved. This disrupts light focusing, causing light rays to converge in front of the retina instead. This results in blurry vision for distant objects, while near objects appear clear.
Common symptoms of myopia include:
Several risk factors contribute to the development and progression of myopia, including:
Seeing an ophthalmologist for a myopia assessment in Singapore is especially important when experiencing any signs of vision problems such as frequent squinting, eye strain, or difficulty focusing on objects at a distance.
People with myopia, particularly those with high degrees, should be vigilant about their eye health and seek immediate medical attention if they experience a large number of floaters in vision, light flashes, a grey curtain-like shadow, or a shadow in peripheral vision. These symptoms could indicate retinal detachment, requiring prompt treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Myopia, while a common vision condition, can sometimes lead to more serious complications if left uncorrected, or if it is severe:
Dr Don Pek
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist
With over 15 years of specialist experience in ophthalmology in Singapore, the United Kingdom and Canada, Dr Don Pek is particularly skilled in the treatment of myopia, cataract surgery and anterior segment reconstruction. Outside of his clinical practice, Dr Pek devotes his time to medical missions and humanitarian work; and notably received the Healthcare Humanities Award from the National Healthcare Group (NHG) in 2011.
Dr Clarissa Cheng
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist
With more than 15 years of specialist experience in ophthalmology, including a rigorous fellowship training in the United Kingdom, Dr Clarissa Cheng is dedicated to providing the best possible care in the treatment of myopia, cataracts and complex retinal surgeries, among others. Dr Cheng formerly served as Deputy Head of the Eye-PACE Clinic and Lead Clinician for the Nurse-Led Intravitreal Injection Service at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.