An appointment with a qualified ophthalmologist in Singapore may be necessary if you are experiencing symptoms such as poor vision, redness of the eye(s), pain in or around the eye(s), or loss of vision. You may also need an appointment with an ophthalmologist if your optometrist has noticed worrisome changes in your eyes or vision and they believe that the ophthalmologist is well placed to help you manage the condition. We explain the treatments or rather services offered at an ophthalmologist clinic in Singapore on this page: https://www.drchelvinsng.com/.
It is also important to go for regular eye examinations, regardless of whether you experience any symptoms, to check your eyesight and reduce the risk of developing an eye condition. This can also make it easy to manage conditions that hardly show symptoms until extensive damage has been done to your eyes.
How to Prepare for your Appointment
There are a number of things that you can do to prepare for your ophthalmologist appointment. Here are general recommendations that may help:
- You should choose a time that works well with your schedule, keeping in mind that it is best to have the appointment in the morning when your eyes are fresh and well-rested.
- Ensure that you have access to all relevant paperwork, including referral letters/notes from other doctors or specialists, which could be useful when discussing your symptoms with your ophthalmologist.
- Familiarize yourself with the way to get to the center where you will be having an appointment, so if there are any transport issues, this won’t cause you unnecessary stress and worry on the day itself.
- Decide beforehand who is going with you to your appointment. This can be someone who can drive you or take public transport with you, or simply a friend who can accompany you and provide moral support.
- Prepare questions in advance which you would like to discuss with your doctor so that they have adequate time to answer them all.
- Make sure that any work commitments are sorted out before the day of your appointment so that you don’t need to worry about this aspect on top of everything else that is going on around you at the moment, purely because it’s something that doesn’t require your attention right now. You can always arrange to take leave from work to accommodate the appointment, which is something that your employer should be understanding and supportive of.
What should I bring with me?
When attending an appointment with your ophthalmologist, it is normal to be concerned about what to carry to the appointment. Now, it is important that you take along all relevant paperwork regarding your medical history. This will help your doctor to determine if there are any underlying conditions that might be causing your symptoms, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
You will also need to bring along a list of any medications you are taking. This is because some medications can have a negative effect on your eyesight, and so your doctor will need to know which medicines you are using before prescribing a new medication for your condition.
What will happen during my Appointment?
During an ophthalmologist appointment, the doctor will ask specific questions about your symptoms mainly, to determine the nature of your condition. These questions aren’t difficult to answer and the typical questions you can expect include;
- When did you first experience your symptoms?
- What are the specific symptoms that you are experiencing?
- Do your symptoms occur when you use any medication or sport certain activities?
- Has anything changed recently in your lifestyle, such as diet, exercise routine, or changes in sleep patterns?
You can also expect your ophthalmologist in Singapore to also carry out a detailed examination of your eyes to determine the nature of the condition and diagnose it properly. During the examination, you will need to have one eye covered while looking into a machine which can cause glares or flashing lights. This is because when an eye has been covered, both pupils dilate, which allows for more details to be seen during the examination. The doctor may ask you to read an eye chart with one eye covered, followed by both eyes uncovered.
What should I expect after my Appointment?
After your ophthalmologist has determined the best course of action for treating or managing your condition, you will be able to discuss this with them in detail before making any decisions on what to do next. You might also want to ask your doctor about some simple steps that you can take to prevent the recurrence of your symptoms.
For example, if you are experiencing dry eyes, which is caused by computer use for long periods of time (the Computer Vision Syndrome), then purchasing artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can help to reduce dryness and irritation. You could also choose not to wear it every day to give your eyes a rest. If you have been diagnosed with a long-term condition or one which requires ongoing treatment, then it is important that you meet with your ophthalmologist on a regular basis for checkups and eye examinations.
You will also need to up your understanding of what the condition is, how it affects the function of the eye(s), and steps that can be taken to manage it effectively. Talking openly about any concerns or questions you might have after an appointment is also very important. This allows your ophthalmologist to provide more information or advice if necessary. Your appointment should leave you feeling better informed about managing your particular conditions to prevent the recurrence of symptoms that could affect your quality of life.
Final Thoughts
After a consultation with an ophthalmologist, you will have a better understanding of what steps you need to take to manage the condition. You might also know more about any lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce symptoms and prevent a recurrence. In some cases, treatment options will be explained, which include medication or surgery if necessary. If it is decided that these are the best courses of action, then follow-up appointments may be scheduled for further monitoring of the condition and progress being made.
In most cases, you should feel confident with your new knowledge about your condition and how best to manage it, as well as knowing where and when your next appointments should take place. Sometimes, more questions and concerns might arise after your appointment, and it is important that you speak to a doctor if this happens.
Chelvin Sng Eye Centre – Glaucoma | Cataract Surgery | Eye Specialist
38 IRRAWADDY ROAD MT ELIZABETH NOVENA SPECIALIST CENTRE, #06-25, 329563
+65 6334 2282
https://www.drchelvinsng.com/
