Myopia Prevention
Many parents may not realise just how important early detection of myopia is for children. By the time a child is found to have reading difficulties during a school health screening, their myopia may already be around 200 to 300 degrees, which is not ideal.
Children rely on clear vision to learn, play, recognise faces, and explore the world around them with confidence.
In babies and toddlers, the eyes and brain are still developing together. For vision to develop normally, both eyes need to send clear and balanced images to the brain. If this does not happen, certain eye conditions may go unnoticed and affect how vision develops over time.
Regular vision screening helps detect these issues early, when treatment or management is often most effective and can better support a child’s long-term visual development.
Regular eye checks help ensure a child’s vision is developing as expected. Screening is typically recommended at key stages of growth, including:
Eye specialists, ophthalmologists, family doctors and other healthcare providers with the appropriate training are able to comprehensively examine a newborn’s eyes. A test known as the red reflex test is usually performed at this stage to ensure the eyes are functioning normally. If the baby is prematurely born, has a family history of visual abnormalities, shows signs of deformity or abnormalities, or is at risk of other medical problems, eye specialists or ophthalmologists should perform a more comprehensive examination to ensure proper function of the eyes.
The eye examination during infancy should be performed by eye specialists, ophthalmologists, family doctors and other healthcare providers with the appropriate training. This second screening should be done between 6 to 12 months of age.
At this stage, congenital eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal abnormalities can be identified. Additionally, strabismus (eye misalignment) and severe refractive errors can be detected and treated early. Lastly, rare but life-threatening conditions such as retinoblastoma can be swiftly detected and managed.
In this phase, eye specialists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, paediatricians, family doctors and other healthcare providers with the appropriate training in assessing vision in preschoolers.
Once the child is able to receive instructions and cooperate with the healthcare professional, an eye chart should be used to test visual acuity. It should be known that it is not uncommon children show small signs of farsightedness, but are able to see clearly at various distances.
If the child shows signs of eye misalignment, “lazy eye”, short-sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or other problems that may hinder the child from focusing properly, a follow-up check should be done by an ophthalmologist or eye specialist. Early detection is key in ensuring the treatment is successful and will help to prevent permanent damage to the child’s vision.
Schools may conduct periodic basic eye screenings for students, however our eye specialists can provide a more in-depth and comprehensive assessment. This includes testing for colour vision, stereoscopic vision, eye misalignment (squints), amblyopia (lazy eye), and a thorough retinal evaluation. Myopia is most frequently detected at this stage. Our eye specialist can guide your child on essential eye care habits and recommend the most suitable glasses and eye drops to help slow the progression of myopia.
These screenings can be carried out by a paediatric eye specialist in Singapore. In many cases, schools also include basic eye screening as part of routine health checks to support students’ overall development and well-being.
A standard adult eye examination is not always suitable for younger patients, as children may not always be able to explain changes in their vision or realise that what they are seeing is not normal.
A paediatric eye specialist in Singapore is trained to carry out eye examinations that are tailored to a child’s age, developmental stage, and comfort level. These assessments may include checks for:
Some childhood eye conditions are more effectively managed when they are detected early, while the visual system is still developing.
Myopia (short-sightedness) can gradually worsen as a child grows. If it becomes more severe over time, it may increase the long-term risk of certain eye conditions later in life, including retinal problems, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Detecting myopia early allows for closer monitoring and timely management where appropriate.
Amblyopia, sometimes known as lazy eye, occurs when vision in one eye does not develop as it should during childhood. If it is not treated early, the brain may continue to rely more on the stronger eye, which can make improvement more difficult later on.
At Asia Retina, we aim to detect the onset of Myopia at its earliest stages so that we can slow it down immediately. This means that we recommend all children to have an eye screening assessment from the age of 3 to 4 years old to detect any early-onset Myopia. In addition, we are able to detect and treat any amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’ from as early as 3 years old.
An earlier eye check may be considered if you notice signs such as frequent squinting, difficulty focusing on reading, or the eyes not appearing well aligned. These may suggest that your child’s vision needs to be assessed.
No special preparation is usually required before the screening. If your child wears glasses or contact lenses, please bring them along. For younger children, it may also help to bring items that keep them comfortable, such as a snack, water, or a favourite toy.
The screening is carried out using simple tests to assess vision and eye coordination. The process is structured and adjusted based on the child’s age and comfort level, ensuring the process is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Not necessarily. If anything unusual is found, the doctor will explain the findings first and walk you through possible next steps. Treatment decisions, if needed, are usually made after you have had time to understand the situation.
