常见问题解答
Your vision is a priceless asset. Don’t leave your eye health to chance.
Options for Myopia and Kacee Eyecare
What is Myopia / Short-Sightedness?
Myopia, also called short-sightedness, means your child can see things up close clearly, but things far away look blurry. Myopia happens when the eyeball grows a bit too long, so the images don't focus right. Sadly, we can't shrink the eyeball back to its original size, so blurry far-away vision often stays. Hence, myopia is technically irreversible.
But don't worry, myopia is very common and we can help your child see clearly while slowing down how fast their eyesight might change.
Why is Myopia Progression bad? (Buzzword you may have heard)
Myopia progression is when one's nearsightedness (myopia) gets worse over time. It's like your eyes growing longer over time, which makes distant objects appear blurry. E.g. a kid's myopia increasing from 100 to 175 degrees within a year; that's a fast myopia progression.
Causes:
- Genetics: If your parents or other family members have myopia, you're more likely to have it too.
- Environment: Spending a lot of time doing near work (e.g. reading books, sewing, playing phone/computer/rubik's cube) can contribute to myopia progression.
How can I help you manage myopia progression?
- Dispensing correct prescriptions for your glasses or contact lenses: Under-correction causes myopia to progress faster
- Specialising Ortho-K and other myopia management solutions: Ortho-K (overnight contact lenses), Stellest lenses, and MiSight day contact lenses can help slow down myopia progression in children.
- Providing regular eye exams: To monitor a child's myopia progression, we recommending regular eye exams every six months.
Why is it important to manage Myopia Progression? Aside from the increased risks of associated eye problems, myopia is irreversible. Not forgetting a limitation to one's lifestyle (restricting your activities such as sports, driving, or flying).
Why investing in your child's clear vision is important
Amanda believes every child deserves the right to see the world clearly. Regular comprehensive eye exams, every 1-2 years (or more frequently with risk factors), are crucial for catching potential vision problems early. Don't let blurry vision hold your child back – it can affect their learning, development, and even how others perceive them (Unfortunately, kids with poor vision have been mislabeled as "slow learners" or one with behavioral issues).
Amanda is passionate about helping children see their best without needing daytime glasses or contact lenses. For children with myopia (nearsightedness), she specialises in Ortho-k, a safe and proven overnight contact lens technology that can control myopia progression. This means clearer vision now and less reliance on glasses as your child grows, giving them the freedom to fully participate in all the activities they enjoy.
How do I know if my child is suitable for Ortho-K?
Ortho-k is a fantastic option for many children. A comprehensive eye exam and consultation with an orthokeratologist specialising in myopia management, like Amanda, will be done to assess your child's suitability.
An experienced orthokeratologist will not only assess these factors but also discuss your child's lifestyle, visual needs, and your family's preferences. This personalised approach ensures the best recommendation for your child's unique situation.
What if my child is unsuitable for Ortho-K? What are other Myopia Management Options?
If your child isn't a suitable candidate for Ortho-K, don't worry – there are still several other options with Specialty Myopia Control glasses or contact lenses such as Stellest or MiSight to manage their myopia and help them see clearly.
Amanda will discuss all the available options with you and your child, share the pros and cons of each approach based on your child's specific needs, prescription, and lifestyle.
Such a personalised myopia management plan ensures your child enjoys the best possible vision.
What are some tips for healthy vision?
- Maintaining a healthy diet: Certain nutrients are essential for eye health.
- Protecting your eyes from UV rays: Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
- Practicing good digital hygiene: Take breaks from screens to prevent eye strain.
- Giving your eyes a break: Look away from screens frequently and focus on distant objects.
- Getting enough sleep: Allow your eyes to rest and recharge.
- Get regular comprehensive eye exams: A comprehensive eye exam reviews the front, back, pressure of your eyes, in addition to your vision. Early detection of any potential eye problems is crucial for successful treatment and maintaining good vision throughout your life. Certain eye conditions such as glaucoma may result in irreversible vision loss if detected and treated too late.
Please share more about Amanda's UK and Singapore background
Amanda is a highly qualified optometrist registered in both the UK and Singapore, bringing over a decade of experience in caring for patients of all ages and abilities.
Amanda's extensive experience and expertise in Ortho-K, along with her role as a consultant orthokeratologist and optometrist for a global leading contact lens company, make her a trusted authority in this field. She also serves as an adjunct lecturer for Singapore Polytechnic.
Her dedication shines through her prestigious 1st Class Honours degree in Optometry from City, University of London (UK) and the acclaimed Mad Sams Memorial award.
Moreover, as a mom herself, Amanda understands the unique needs of children and provides gentle, child-centered eye care.
With this unique combination of expertise and dedication, she's the ideal choice to safeguard the eye and vision health of you and your loved ones at Kacee Eyecare
Why choose Kacee and its Myopia Management Programme?
Kacee Eyecare was founded by Amanda Ng, an experienced optometrist passionate about eye health and client care. With a focus on personalized service, Amanda has built a reputation for her expertise in Ortho-K and her dedication to educating clients about their eye health. Her approach combines advanced technology with a compassionate touch, ensuring that each client receives tailored care to meet their unique needs.
Hence, the name Kacee, pronounced as "KAY-see", means "Vigilant and Alert". Kacee Eyecare positions itself as a vigilant and alert guardian of eye health, emphasizing a proactive approach to eye care. This philosophy is central to their service offerings and sets them apart in the competitive landscape of optometry in Singapore.
As a parent, Amanda understands the importance of prioritising a child's health. Especially when myopia progression is irreversible. And when it comes to their vision, finding the right optometrist can feel like a big decision. That's where Amanda's passion for myopia management and comprehensive eye exams comes in!
Highly sought after for her skills and gentle demeanor, Amanda is more than just an orthokeratologist and optometrist; she's a trusted partner for your family's eye health journey. With her caring approach and dedication to helping people see their best, you can be confident that the eye and vision health of you and your loved ones are in the best hands.
What inspired Amanda to start Kacee Eyecare?
Amanda Ng, the founder of Kacee Eyecare, was inspired to establish the practice based on her dual perspectives as both a mother and an internationally trained optometrist. Her extensive experience in eye care, combined with her personal journey as a parent, has shaped her understanding of the profound impact that healthy vision has on every aspect of life, particularly for children.
Amanda emphasizes the importance of preventive eye care, advocating for comprehensive eye exams that go beyond mere vision correction. She believes that regular check-ups are essential for early detection of potential eye diseases, which can lead to better health outcomes for individuals and families. This commitment to preventive care stems from her recognition that clear vision is a fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone, especially children, who are at risk of being misidentified as "slow learners" due to undiagnosed vision problems.
Her passion for myopia management is particularly notable. Amanda specializes in Ortho-K, a safe and effective overnight contact lens technology that helps control myopia progression in children. This focus reflects her desire to empower families to prioritize their children's vision health, allowing them to participate fully in activities without the hindrance of daytime glasses or contact lenses whilst slowing their myopia progression rates.
Through Kacee Eyecare, Amanda aims to create a future where clear vision is not just a privilege but a standard of care for all, fostering a community of individuals and companies that value and prioritize eye health
Myopia Control with Ortho-K or OK Lens
What are the advantages of Ortho-K over other myopia control solutions?
Worn only while sleeping, Ortho-K offers the advantage of working overnight, so users don't need to wear myopia control lenses during the day, reducing the likelihood of non-compliance or suboptimal compliance.
Ortho-K essentially enables continuous effectiveness through the night. Once the Ortho-K lenses are removed in the morning, the effects of Ortho-K are still present throughout the day. With other methods, such as glasses or daily contact lenses, compliance depends on remembering to wear them during the day for the treatment to be effective.
E.g. kids who do not wear their myopia control glasses for sufficient duration would get reduced effectiveness in myopia control.
Besides, the added convenience and benefits of not having to wear glasses or daily contacts trump other myopia control solutions.
What should I expect during and after my Ortho-K appointment?
Aside from a comprehensive eye exam to check your eye health and vision, our qualified optometrist use a special equipment to "map" the highs and lows of your cornea.
Similar to how a map shows hills and valleys, this measures the natural shape of your cornea which we will use to design your Ortho-K lenses.
If you are deemed suitable
You can expect to collect your customised Ortho-K lenses within 2 weeks.
Ensuring quality Ortho-K care
Upon collection, you will need to return the next day for an overnight review after your 1st night of Ortho-K wearing. Followed by 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month reviews.
These and any extra reviews within the year are included as part of the Ortho-K package price.
What is Ortho-K
Ortho-K is a non-surgical reversible procedure that uses specially designed and fitted contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea gently to allow people to see clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses. Think of Ortho-K as a retainer for the cornea of your eyes.
Clinical studies have demonstrated Ortho-K to significantly slow the progression of myopia in children by approximately 50%.
This specialised treatment option can help children with vision problems experience clearer vision without glasses during the day. This can allow them to participate fully in activities they enjoy and potentially boost their confidence.
However, it's important to remember that Ortho-K is a medical procedure with its own considerations and needs to be discussed with our optometrist to determine if it's suitable for your child.
Still, the earlier the myopia intervention through solutions like Ortho-K, the better! Kids as young as 6 years old have been on Ortho-K. Don't wait for your child's eyesight to get worse before acting because myopia is irreversible.
Curious about the word Ortho-K? It is short form for OrthoKeratology. Also known as Ortho K or OK lens.
Ortho: Means "straight" or "correct."
Keratology: Refers to the study of the cornea
How does it work?
Ortho-K, short for Orthokeratology, are special lenses that gently reshape your eyes while you sleep, so you wake up with clear vision and don't need glasses or daytime contacts. It's safe, reversible, and works for both kids and adults.
Freedom from Glasses: Perfect for active lifestyles and those who dislike glasses.
Myopia Control for Kids: Ortho-K can help slow down worsening eyesight (myopia) in children, which is a big concern for parents here.
Beyond Just Short-Sightedness: Ortho-K lenses can even correct long-sightedness and astigmatism.
Benefits for children
Healthy Eye Habits:
- Effective Myopia control: Clinical studies have demonstrated that Ortho-K can significantly slow the progression of myopia in children by approximately 50%.
- Reduced risk of eye injuries: Eliminate the chance of glasses breaking or contacts dislodging during sports or other activities.
- Promotes proper eye hygiene: Daily lens cleaning routine fosters healthy habits for overall eye health.
Freedom and Convenience:
- No more fumbling with glasses or worrying about losing contacts: Enjoy hassle-free activities from sports and swimming to camping and dancing.
- Clear vision, anytime, anywhere: Wake up ready to go, whether it's an early morning run or a spontaneous adventure.
- Reduced reliance on corrective eyewear: Embrace a more natural look and feel confident without glasses obstructing your view.
Enhanced Performance and Confidence:
- Unleash your potential in sports: Eliminate the worry of glasses falling off or contacts drying out during physical activities.
- Boost your self-esteem: Feel more confident and comfortable without glasses interfering with your appearance.
- Embrace a wider field of view: Experience unrestricted peripheral vision for improved depth perception and situational awareness.
Safety and common concerns
- Ortho-k lenses are FDA- and HSA- approved. They are made from high-quality, breathable materials and designed to fit comfortably without touching the cornea directly.
- Infection risk is low with proper hygiene. Just like regular contact lenses, following our instructions for cleaning and handling is crucial.
- Regular eye exams are essential to monitor progress and eye health. Your child's optometrist will closely track any changes and address any concerns promptly.
- Is it painful? No, not at all! The lenses are inserted while sleeping and feel similar to regular contacts upon removal.
- Can children sleep with them? Yes, they are designed for overnight wear and provide clear vision all day long.
- What happens if they lose a lens? Contact us immediately for a replacement. Losing a lens won't harm the eye, but it's important to replace it.
- Is it suitable for all children? Not all children are good candidates. We will assess your child's eyes and individual needs to determine if Ortho-k is right for them.
Can adults use Ortho-K?
Yes, most definitely. Ortho-k is suitable for adults and can significantly improve their vision.
Our orthokeratologist will share some important considerations such as compliance, eye health and many more during the consultation, and the difference in expectations as the changes to the cornea may be less permanent than in children. Adults may need periodic "touch-up" treatments to maintain optimal vision.
The best way to determine if Ortho-k is right for you is to consult with an orthokeratologist like Amanda. She will assess your individual needs, expectations, and suitability for the treatment.
Come in for a consultation! We'll check your eyes and explain how Ortho-K can give you the gift of clear vision without glasses!
Cost of Ortho-K against different myopia management options
Prices vary depending on your child's needs and suitability. Here's a general overview:
Glasses/Spectacles: Can be affordable, but costs depend on lens type and typically excludes spectacle frames. E.g. Stellest myopia control lenses may cost around S$500
Soft contact lenses: More expensive than glasses, with ongoing replacement costs. E.g. MiSight day contact lenses.
Ortho-K lenses: Higher initial cost, but can slow myopia over time while giving users the freedom from glasses or contact lenses for most part of the day
Note: We offer package deals for our myopia management services. Book an appointment to find out more.
Compared to Glasses
Ortho-k vs. Glasses:
Pros:
- Glasses: Affordable, easily accessible, no surgery required. We provide Specialised Myopia Control Lenses too.
- Ortho-k: No need for glasses all day, convenient for active lifestyles, significantly slows myopia progression for children.
Cons:
- Glasses: Can be inconvenient during sports or activities, may get lost or damaged, can restrict peripheral vision.
- Ortho-k: Requires more care and hygiene compared to glasses, initial cost can be higher, requires overnight lens wear.
Compared to Soft Contact Lenses
Ortho-k vs. Soft Contact Lenses:
Pros:
- Soft contacts: Convenient for all-day wear, readily available, wide range of brands and types to choose from.
- Ortho-K: No need for contacts during the day, significantly slows myopia progression for children.
Cons:
- Soft contacts: Need regular cleaning and replacement, risk of eye infections, can dry out during activities.
- Ortho-K: Requires more care and hygiene compared to soft contacts, initial cost can be higher, requires overnight lens wear.
Compared to Surgeries (e.g. Lasik)
Ortho-k vs. LASIK and PRK:
Pros:
- LASIK/PRK: Permanent vision correction, no need for glasses or contacts after surgery.
- Ortho-k: Reversible procedure, significantly slows myopia progression for children.
Cons:
- LASIK/PRK: Surgery carries risks and potential side effects e.g. dry eyes, not suitable for everyone, can be expensive.
- Ortho-K: Not a permanent solution, requires ongoing lens care and monitoring, not suitable for all eye conditions
Comprehensive Eye Exams and Timeline
What is a comprehensive eye exam
A comprehensive eye exam performed by our optometrist checks not just visual acuity (clarity or sharpness of vision), but also eye health and for potential eye diseases including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Various tests are conducted using advanced equipment to examine the eye's internal and surface structure and mechanisms.
For example:
- Visual acuity at different distances
- Eye pressure
- Eye movement and coordination
- Retinal health
- Cornea health
Who should get an eye exam?
Everybody. However, some may require eye exams more often than others:
- Adults: Especially those over 40, as the risk of eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma increases with age.
- Children: Annual screenings from an early age can help detect potential issues such as lazy eye (amblyopia) and ensure proper visual development.
- People with diabetes: They are at higher risk for developing eye complications like diabetic retinopathy.
- Individuals with a family history of eye diseases: Having a close relative with eye conditions such as glaucoma increases your own risk.
- People with Myopic Parents: Did you know the risk of myopia triples if one parent is nearsighted, and the risk is six times higher if both parents are nearsighted due genetics?
- People who spend a lot of time in front of screens: This includes computer work, phone use, and watching TV, as it can strain your eyes.
What's the big deal about eye exams
As people age, their eyes usually change, but the changes are slow. Therefore, people may not realise there is a problem until an eye exam is done.
Early detection of any potential eye problems is crucial for successful treatment and maintaining good vision throughout your life. Certain eye conditions such as glaucoma may result in irreversible vision loss if detected and treated too late.
Please do not hesitate to schedule an eye exam, regardless of your age or perceived vision health.
Why isn't my prescription check enough?
A prescription check is limited to verifying your existing prescription, confirming the lens power and other parameters for glasses or contact lenses. Furthermore, it is a snapshot of your myopic progression.
Our comprehensive eye exams don’t just assess your vision – we dive deep into potential eye health concerns, from common refractive errors to screening for more serious "silent" diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy.
At Kacee, we offer a detailed look at your eye health, and catch issues before they escalate. We also encourage you to embark on our myopia management programme to slow the worsening of myopia (also known as myopia progression).
Why wouldn't an eye check be valid for several years?
Spectacles prescriptions are generally valid for up to 2 years. Contact lens prescriptions are mostly valid for up to 1 year. Yet, some may be valid for shorter periods.
Therefore it is recommended to have an eye exam or a contact lens check when the validity of the prescriptions end. That is because our vision can naturally change over time due to various factors:
Age: As we age, our ability to focus on near objects (accommodation) weakens, leading to changes in our existing prescription.
Underlying medical conditions: Medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune diseases can affect vision and require regular monitoring.
Eye injuries or infections: These can damage the eye and impact vision, requiring adjustments in your prescription or further assessment for healing.
Genetics: Did you know the risk of myopia triples if one parent is nearsighted, and the risk is six times higher if both parents are nearsighted?
Therefore, annual eye exams are essential as preventive care, similar to checkups with your doctor. They help maintain eye health and detect potential problems early on when treatment is typically more successful.
When and how often should I plan for an eye exam?
- You haven't had an eye exam in a while: Even if you have good vision, it's good practice to get an eye exam every 1-2 years for adults and every year for children under 16.
- You experience any changes in your vision: This could include anything from blurry vision, seeing double, or difficulty focusing.
- You have a family history of eye problems: If your parents, grandparents, or siblings have eye conditions like glaucoma, diabetes, or macular degeneration, you're at a higher risk and should get examined regularly.
- You have certain health conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain medications can affect your eye health, making frequent eye exams more essential.
- You experience headaches or eye strain: This could be a sign of an underlying eye problem, like needing glasses or having computer vision syndrome.
- You are a child (up to 16 years old): Annual screenings are crucial to monitor eye development and detect any issues early on.
- You are a child with myopia (using corrective lenses e.g. glasses or contact lenses): 6-monthly screenings are essential because myopia in children can progress rapidly. This means their prescription strength can change quickly, leading to blurry vision.
Can I get sunglasses from Kacee Eyecare?
Yes most definitely. Sunglasses are often underestimated but play a crucial role in protecting our eyes. As proponents of good eye health, we promote sunglasses too because they are a bigger deal than you might think! Here's why:
- Eye Protection: The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be damaging to your eyes over time. Just like your skin, your eyes can get sunburned. Exposure to UV rays can increase your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and even growths on your eye. Quality sunglasses that block UV rays help shield your eyes from this invisible danger.
- Better Vision: Sunglasses can actually help you see better in bright conditions. Sunglasses cut down on glare that can make it hard to see. This is especially helpful when you're at the beach, on the snow, or even just driving on a bright day. Certain types of sunglasses, like polarized lenses, can be particularly good at reducing glare and can even help you see better underwater.
While sunglasses can definitely be a fashion statement, they're also a great way to keep your eyes healthy and safe.
To Help You Further
Contact us here or Click the Whatsapp button.
Also, learn more about Kacee Eyecare and our Orthokeratologist and Optometrist Amanda Ng