Top 5 Eye Conditions that Ophthalmologists Treat

Dr Leo Seo Wei
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist
MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edin), MMed (Ophth) (NUS), FRCS (Edin) (Ophth), FAMS (Ophth)

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specialising in diagnosing and treating eye diseases and vision disorders. They play a vital role in preserving vision, especially since many eye conditions can be effectively managed if caught early.

In Singapore, studies show that one-third to half of adults may experience eye conditions or vision problems in their lifetime. Myopia is especially common, affecting 75% to 80% of teenagers and young adults, making glasses or contact lenses a necessity for many.

Below are the five most common eye conditions treated by an ophthalmologist , including their symptoms and treatment options.

1. Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, impairing vision. They are the leading cause of reversible vision loss globally and are most prevalent in older adults.

Symptoms: Symptoms include blurry vision, glare around lights, difficulty seeing at night, frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, and faded colours. As cataracts progress, vision becomes increasingly hazy, impacting daily activities.
Treatment: The only effective treatment is surgery, where the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

2. Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure. Known as the “silent thief of sight,” it can lead to irreversible vision loss if untreated.

Symptoms: Early stages are typically asymptomatic. As the condition progresses, patients may experience gradual peripheral vision loss leading to tunnel vision. Acute angle-closure glaucoma, a less common form, can cause sudden symptoms like severe eye pain, nausea, and blurred vision, requiring immediate medical attention.
Treatment: Treatment focuses on lowering eye pressure to prevent further optic nerve damage. Options include eye drops, oral medications, laser treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty), or surgery (e.g., trabeculectomy).

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. It leads to blurred or lost central vision and is a leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 50.

Symptoms: Early AMD may have no symptoms. As it progresses, patients may notice blurred central vision, difficulty reading or recognising faces, wavy or distorted lines, and reduced colour intensity.
Treatment: There is currently no cure for dry AMD. However, certain dietary supplements, such as the AREDS2 formula containing vitamins C, E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin, may help slow its progression in some cases. Wet AMD, however, is treatable. The most common approach involves anti-VEGF injections to halt the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Other options include laser therapy or photodynamic therapy. For Wet AMD, early intervention is crucial to preserving as much vision as possible.

4. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related complication that damages the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss. It is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.

The condition progresses through stages, beginning with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), the early stage where weakened blood vessels may leak fluid or blood. If it advances, it becomes proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), a more severe stage where new, abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, significantly increasing the risk of vision loss.

Symptoms: Early stages may be asymptomatic. As the condition progresses, symptoms include blurred vision, floaters, dark spots in the visual field, and difficulty distinguishing colours.
Treatment: In the early stages, the most effective treatment is to manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels to prevent the condition from progressing. For more advanced stages, treatments may include laser photocoagulation to seal leaking vessels, anti-VEGF injections to reduce abnormal vessel growth, or vitrectomy surgery to remove blood or scar tissue from the eye.

5. Strabismus (Eye Misalignment)

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes are misaligned, failing to focus on the same point simultaneously. It can occur in both children and adults and may be constant or intermittent.

This misalignment is classified into several types based on the direction of the eye turn. Esotropia is an inward turning of the eye, also known as crossed eyes. Exotropia is an outward turning of the eye, or wall-eyed. Hypertropia is an upward turning of the eye. Lastly, hypotropia is a downward turning of the eye.

Symptoms: In children, strabismus may lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) if untreated. In adults, it can cause double vision, eye strain, headaches, and depth perception issues.
Treatment: Non-surgical options include eyeglasses with prism lenses, vision therapy with eye exercises, or patching the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker one. In more severe cases, or when non-surgical treatments are ineffective, eye muscle surgery may be performed to realign the eyes.

Consult Our Ophthalmologist in Singapore

Dr Leo Seo Wei is a senior consultant ophthalmologist in Singapore with over 20 years of clinical experience, including advanced training in the United States. She specialises in managing major eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and strabismus (eye misalignment). Her clinic is fully equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and offers comprehensive medical and surgical eye care for both adults and children.

If you think you are susceptible to eye diseases or are experiencing symptoms, now is the right time to get them checked. Book a comprehensive eye assessment with Dr Leo Seo Wei today, and experience compassionate care tailored specifically to your needs. Contact us today.