Glaucoma is often dubbed the “silent thief of sight” for a reason. It comes on quickly and quietly, with no signs until permanent vision loss has happened. Many Singaporean ophthalmologists see preventing glaucoma as more than just a medical problem—it’s also a duty. A top glaucoma specialist in Singapore goes into detail about how doctors like her are proactively finding, treating, and even preventing glaucoma before it causes permanent damage.
What Makes Glaucoma So Dangerous?
Usually caused by excessive intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma is a set of eye disorders harming the optic nerve rather than a single condition. The most prevalent kind, primary open-angle glaucoma, advances slowly and without pain. Though less frequent, narrow-angle (or angle-closure) glaucoma is more severe and can cause symptoms including eye pain and blurred seeing. A top glaucoma specialist in Singapore explains glaucoma in layman’s terms to her patients like, “It’s like living in a house with a leaky pipe behind the wall. You don’t know anything is wrong until the damage shows.” Many people find this comparison to be relevant since it highlights the need for early detection.
Risk Identification Through Individualized Screening
Comprehensive risk profiling is among the first actions a top glaucoma specialist in Singapore does with new patients. “It’s not only about looking into someone’s eyes; it’s about knowing the whole picture,” she says.
Among the risk factors are:
- Family background of glaucoma
- Over forty years old
- Asian or African lineage
- Current medical issues including diabetes or hypertension
- Corticosteroid usage throughout time
- Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
Every patient gets a complete risk assessment during their first appointment. Even if their present test findings seem normal, high-risk people may be scheduled for more regular optic nerve imaging and eye pressure checks. It’s all about preparation, not paranoia.
Leveraging Surgical and Non-invasive Procedures to Stay Ahead
Technology is the most important tool in the fight against glaucoma, and Singapore’s best eye doctors are among the first to use the newest ones. Most people only think about surgery when they really have to. But in the hands of an experienced top glaucoma specialist in Singapore, surgical technology isn’t just used to save lives, it’s often used to avoid disasters in the first place. As do other top doctors in Singapore, they use the newest advances in glaucoma surgery not only as quick fixes but also as long-term plans to protect vision.
Here are some of the treatments and tools she uses to beat glaucoma, often before it does any lasting damage:
- Laser Therapies for Early Intervention
Laser treatments, which are a safe way for people who are showing early signs of high blood pressure to start. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is one of the best options because it improves the eye’s natural drainage system to reduce intracranial pressure. In contrast to earlier laser methods that damaged tissue with heat, SLT targets pigment in the trabecular meshwork with short pulses of low-energy light. This lowers inflammation and raises outflow. As a protective measure, Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is done on people with narrow angles or who are at risk of angle-closure glaucoma. This procedure makes a small opening in the iris, which lets normal fluid flow return and stops dangerous pressure spikes. These laser treatments are safe, work well, and only take minutes, often during the same visit. But most importantly, they stop cataracts from getting worse early on.
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) as a Game-Changer
Top glaucoma specialists in Singapore uses Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) when medicine and lasers aren’t enough or when doctors aren’t sure how to control the pressure in the eyes for a long time. MIGS used to be thought of as experimental, but now it is an important part of preventing glaucoma in Singapore’s best clinics. With tiny, carefully put implants, MIGS procedures are meant to lower intraocular pressure by making drainage better. These surgeries use tiny cuts and are often done along with cataract surgery. They have shorter healing times and a lower risk of complications than regular glaucoma surgeries. By offering MIGS earlier in the detection process, top glaucoma specialists in Singapore keep the pressure under better control over the long run and avoids having to do more invasive procedures later on.
- The Gold Standard for Trabeculectomy
When the disease is getting worse quickly or when less invasive means aren’t able to reach the desired pressures, top glaucoma specialists in Singapore don’t think twice about trabeculectomy, a tried-and-true surgery that makes a new way for eye fluid to drain. While more invasive than MIGS, trabeculectomy remains one of the most effective methods for achieving very low intraocular pressures. A preventative method makes sure that patients don’t get stuck on a cycle of eye drops and stress. They are instead given clear solutions that will protect their vision for decades, not just months.
- Glaucoma Tube Implant Surgery for the Complex Cases
Top glaucoma specialists in Singapore may put a glaucoma drainage device in people who have had eye surgery in the past or whose eye anatomy makes other treatments less effective. This is done by inserting a small tube, like the Ahmed or Baerveldt device, that sends fluid to an outside reservoir. This effectively lowers the pressure. These surgeries are only done on people with complicated or unresponsive glaucoma, but they can also be used to avoid the disease in the long term in some high-risk patients.
Prevention is the New Cure
Setting new standards in eye care, which shouldn’t be a surprise in a country like Singapore with such a good healthcare system. Top glaucoma specialists in Singapore are stopping a disease that seemed unstoppable at first by finding risks early, using improved diagnostics, educating patients, taking action, and joint monitoring. The work of top glaucoma specialists in Singapore, who use lasers, MIGS, standard surgery, and high-tech implants, goes beyond just treating glaucoma, they actually prevent it. This creates a unique plan for protecting sight by carefully picking each tool based on the person’s anatomy, disease stage, and risk profile. When it comes to glaucoma, the best treatment begins long before the first symptom appears.
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Chelvin Sng Eye Centre – Dr Chelvin Sng
38 Irrawaddy Road
Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialty Centre #06-25
Singapore 329563
https://www.drchelvinsng.com/
Tel: +65 6334 2282
Whatsapp: +65 8129 6328
