singapore surgery center

Singapore SGH Burns Centre

2009-08-23T01:50:00.000-07:00

The SGH Burns Centre is a 52-bed unit located in Block 4 Level 3 of the Singapore General Hospital that provides tertiary medical care to victims sustaining burn injuries from Singapore and around the South-East Asia region. Up to a quarter of the 200 patients or so admitted annually are those considered as having sustained major burns (total area burns in excess of 30% body surface area, or full thickness burns in excess of 20% body surface area). The Burns Centre looks after burn patients from the point of injury throughout hospital stay and follows them after hospital stay during their rehabilitative period in conjunction with the Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutritional and Medical Social Work Departments.Philosophy The SGH Burns Centre, as the only major specialised facility managing major burn injuries in the region, is committed to providing the best medical therapy to patients afflicted by burn injuries, regardless of socio-economic status or ethnicity. It is run by a dedicated team of health providers including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, medical social workers and other ancillary staff who are available round-the-clock to deal with any emergency. Research into new modes of treatment and management is ongoing and health care providers are in constant communication with leading burn experts around the world to ensure that the best possible and current burn therapy is delivered.
Source : http://www.sgh.com.sg/MedicalSpecialtiesnServices/SpecialistCentres/Burns/

Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgery SGH Singapore

2009-08-23T01:48:00.000-07:00

The Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery delivers specialised tertiary care to patients requiring surgery for a variety of reasons and indications. Plastic Surgery is derived from the Greek word, plastikos, which means "to mould". This explains the basic characteristic of plastic surgical procedures, which employs meticulous surgical techniques to mould and tailor the various tissues of the body to either fill a defect created by injuries or tumours, or to enhance the appearance of a certain part of the body.
The Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, in addition continues to be involved in the teaching and training of medical students, junior doctors and plastic surgical trainees, and as a vibrant and research-orientated Department, actively contributes to the academic environment of the Hospital.
The Department provides services in the following areas: Burns Comprehensive burns injury care and management:
Actue care
Post-burn care
Rehabilitation
Scar management
Congenital Abnormalities
Cleft lip and palate correction 1
Congenital craniofacial abnormality correction
Congenital hand, facial and urogenital abnormality correction
Craniomaxillofacial Deformities / Trauma
Facial trauma management
Craniomaxillofacial deformity
Orthognathic surgery
Reconstructive Surgery for Cancer, Trauma and Infection
Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Head and neck reconstruction following cancer-clearing surgery
Lower limb trauma
Post-infection reconstruction of any part of the body
Removal and reconstruction of skin cancers
Aesthetic Surgery
Hair transplants
Face lifts (rhytidectomy)
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
Liposuction
Tummy-tuck (abdominoplasty)
Breast enlargement / reduction / lift (augmentation mammaplasty, reduction mammaplasty, mastopexy)
Laser surgery - removal of moles, tattoos, resurfacing
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment
Chemical peels and facial skin care
Source : http://www.sgh.com.sg/MedicalSpecialtiesnServices/ClinicalSpecialties/Surgical/Plastic/

2009-07-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here are some movies of Lasik Surgery which was conducted in Singapore.
Now many people come to Singapore to do the lasik Surgery.
News Report on FDA Inquiry that LASIK surgery uses a laser to improve vision of people who are nearsighted.

Anybody try lasik @ Parkway Gleneagles hospital, by Lee Hung Ming and Gleneagles eye clinic singapure by Ron Yeoh? And TTS by Fam Han Bor & Heng Wee Jin? Anybody suffer any side effects after the lasik and anybody who have fail the surgery- wat is the outcme??
Lasik is good and it helps a lot . No pain no glasses or contacts and it improves vision. The cost is around $3500 but there are many options also. You can pay monthly $48 and go.

Alert for Swine Flu for Singapore

2009-05-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

Orange Alert for Swine Flu for our Singapore means that Singapore government is on full alert to mobilize all resources to tackle swine flu on the very onset of the disease here in Singapore, i.e. if there is a first reported case of Swine Flu in Singapore.

I shudder to ponder what an outbreak of Swine Flu can do to Singapore and we, the people living here. With nearly 4 million people living on this small island and the fact that we are highly connected via the very effective modes of transport, 1 swine flu case can easily and conveniently translate into more treacherous cases and death of hundreds and thousands of Singaporeans can be a likely scenario, bearing in mind that Swine Flu is unlike Bird Flu: it is more lethal.

I applaud the Singapore Government for stepping up its vigilance at all its borders, be it via sea, air or land. We must do our best to stem swine flu from setting its footprints in Singapore. Thousands of Singaporeans travel to and fro around the world, the very first case of Swine Flu, if it ever happens here in Singapore, must definitely come from a Singaporean who has contracted the disease abroad and who returns home.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (3, comprising 1 in China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 2 in mainland China), Colombia (6), Cuba (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (13), Germany (12), Guatemala (3), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (29), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (98), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), and the United Kingdom (68).

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

Singapore animal clinic surgery and surgeon

2009-02-23T07:06:00.000-08:00

Singapore's private veterinary centres, clinics,
surgeries and hospitals for dogs, cats and other small animals

ASIA USA REALTY (SINGAPORE) ASIAHOMES.COM PTE LTD, asiahomes.com SPONSORS THIS REPORT as a community service for pet lovers. Phone the vets for the latest information on opening hours.

asiahomes.com/singapore-expat/business/expat-business-2.htm (12 tips for expats with cats).

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (Dog breeds allowed in HDB apartments, Application for new dog licences, pet shop licences, veterinary clinics and hospitals and other regulations from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority

Below are list of animal clinic and surgeon

AMK Veterinary Surgery
31 Sembawang Road
Singapore 779082
Contact : Mr Kenneth Tong
Email : amkvs@pacific.net.sg
Tel : 6451 5242
Fax: 6451 4001
Business - Birds, Dogs, Cats, small animals

Animal Clinic Pte Ltd (Clementi Clinic)
Blk 109 #01-31 Clementi St 11 S(120109)
Tel: 6776 3450 /67770273 / 98025555 (Emergency)

Animal Clinic Pte Ltd (Clementi Extension Clinic)
Blk 109 #01-19 Clementi St 11 S(120109)
Tel: 67746626

Animal Clinic Pte Ltd (Katong Clinic)
55 Lor L Telok Kurau #01-63 Bright Centre S(425500)
Tel: 6440 4767 / 98025555 (For Emergency)

Animal Recovery Centre Pte Ltd
3 Greendale Ave S(289498)
Tel: 6463 7100

Animal Recovery Centre Pte Ltd (East)
#01-06 Eastpoint Mall Pet Safari
Tel : 65871798 / 65981796

Animal Recovery Centre Pte Ltd (West)
100 West Coast Way
Tel : 67750105

Bishan Park Veterinary Clinic Pte Ltd
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, #01-02A
Tel: 64568196

Changi Animal Clinic
Blk 158, Bedok South Ave 3, #01-577
Tel: 6444 3561

Clinic for Pets
Blk 1015 Geylang East Ave 3, #01-141 S(389730)
Tel: 67451337 / 6748 7105

Companion Animal Surgery Pte Ltd
10 Boon Teck Road S(329584)
Tel: 6255 7950/ 6532 4865 (For Emergency)
email: vet@comvet.com

Edmund Tan Veterinary Surgery
Blk 151 #01-65 Serangoon North Ave 2
Tel: 6282 1581

Francis S Dr.
11 Frankel Ave
Tel: 6442 0978

Mount Pleasant Animal Clinic (East) Pte Ltd
152 East Coast Road, Singapore
Tel: 6448 8153

Mount Pleasant Animal Clinic (North) Pte Ltd
151 Serangoon North Ave 2, #01-59, Singapore
Tel: 6287 1190

Namly Animal Clinic
74 Namly Place (S267223)
Tel: 6469 4744

Pet Care Centre & Clinic
4 Waringin Park, Sin Chuan Garden S(416318)
Tel: 6448 5835

Pet Care Centre & Clinic
226 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore
Tel: 6346 7151

Toa Payoh Veterinary Surgery
Blk 1002 #01-1477 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, Lor 8 S(319074)
Tel: 6245 3326

Lasik Eye Surgery nj

2008-11-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

Lasik Eye Surgery nj - A Refractive Eye Surgical Procedure
barneygarcia Lasik eye surgery is a refractive surgical procedure that works wonders on the eyes of people suffering from nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. It reduces a person's complete dependency on glasses and contact lenses. The full form ...
This Article is About: Lasik Eye | Lasik Laser Eye | Lasik Eye Doctor | Laser Eye

Exploring Lasik Eye Surgery
Dr. Boxer-Wachler For millions of Americans everyday the burden of poor vision has been difficult. Finding new ways to gain freedom from eye wear was a hope we often clung too. However now people are seeing clearly for the first time without the use of glasses and conta...
This Article is About: Lasik Eye | Lasik Eye Correction | Lasik Laser Eye | Lasik Eye Doctor

LASIK is a type of Laser Eye Surgery called “lamellar eye surgery” because it is performed between the layers of corneal tissue. This is achieved by creating a very thin flap of corneal tissue that can be lifted, the laser energy applied, and then the flap can be readily replaced without the need for stitches.

Dr. Spector’s training, experience and expertise in performing LASIK offers our patients an added sense of confidence in the safety, efficacy and predictability of having LASIK in Connecticut at Spector Eye Care in Norwalk & Stamford.

What to Expect During Your LASIK Procedure

To begin your LASIK procedure, Dr. Spector will instruct the staff to place a few eye drops in your eyes to numb the surface of your eye. This will make you quite comfortable during your treatment. You will be seated in a comfortable and relaxed waiting area while the drops have a chance to begin working.

After the drops have had a chance to take effect, a staff member will escort you into testing area where a final measurement-called a wavefront refraction-will be reviewed. Next, a nurse will accompany you into the Excimer Laser suite and help you to position yourself comfortably on the moveable “bedlike” chair that is actually part of the laser system. Dr. Spector will gently place a small instrument between your eyelids to help you remember to keep them open during your LASIK surgery.

Dr. Spector will then create a very thin layer, which is a “flap” of clear tissue in the center of the cornea. He will then carefully fold the flap over and allow the inner layer of the cornea to be visible so that the laser energy can be applied. The actual laser application can take from 10-90 seconds depending on the amount of correction that you require.

You will be asked to look at a small light and to try and hold your eyes steady. There is no need to be concerned about moving your eyes during your treatment as the laser will actually “scan” the position of your eyes to identify the exact position of your eye and will then “track” and adjust its position in order to keep perfectly aligned with your eye movement.

top

Based on your examination, your prescription and other measurements and calculations collected at your LASIK consultation, Dr. Spector will instruct the staff to program certain information into a computer that will monitor and control the actual application of the laser. Upon completion of the laser application, Dr. Spector will have changed the curvature of your cornea so that it will be the shape necessary to correct your vision.

Dr. Spector will then gently replace the “flap” back into its original position. Since the cornea is able to “stick” to itself, there is no need to use sutures or “stitches” to hold it in place.

LASIK surgery is quite “patient friendly”. The nature of the LASIK procedure is that it permits the healing and visual recovery process to be very quick and predictable for most patients. For a few days after your LASIK Eye Surgery, you will need to be careful not to rub or bump your eyes too much. It is expected that you will have a mild “sandy” or “gritty” sensation during the first day or so after your LASIK surgery. This is normal.

Dr. Spector and his staff will give you complete instructions regarding eye drops and medications to use to help the healing and visual recovery process.

YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Dr. Spector will require that you return for scheduled follow-up visits to check the healing process, regardless of how well you think you are doing. Most LASIK patients at our practice are able to pass the Connecticut Motor Vehicles Eye Test without eyeglasses or contacts within a day or so after their LASIK Surgery with Dr. Spector.

You should feel free to discuss any fears, concerns, questions or thoughts about LASIK or any corneal laser eye surgery with Dr. Spector or the staff. Our staff is available to answer any questions or to address any needs you may have regarding Laser Vision Correction at our practice. We will be pleased to spend whatever time is necessary to review any information about the LASIK procedure, what to expect on LASIK surgery day, follow-up care, fees and affordable “no money down” easy monthly payment plans that will fit into your budget.

Mount Elizabeth Hospital cardiac surgeries & neurosurgeries

2008-08-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

Mount Elizabeth Hospital performs the largest number of cardiac surgeries & neurosurgeries
in the private sector in the region.
The hospital is accredited with the Joint Commission International (JCI); and is the first
private hospital in Asia to win the Asian Management Award for exceptional people
development and management.
SERVICES AND
FACILITIES:
· 24-hour Accident and Emergency Department
· Anaesthesiology
· Apheresis Unit
· Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery
· Counselling Services
· Critical Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, High
Dependency Units
· Day Surgery
· Diagnostic Services
- ECG
* Ambulatory Blood Pressure
* Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (Holter
Monitoring)
* Rest
* Stress – Exercise
- EEG (Electroencephalogram)
- Lung Function Tests
* Spirometry
* Exercise Spirometry
* Histamine Challenge / Provocation Test
· Diabetes Care Centre
· Dietary Services
· Endoscopy Centre
· Geriatrics
· Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant
Centre
· Health Screening
· Hepatobiliary Surgery
· Histopathology
· Homecare Services
· Laser Treatment Room
· Lasik Centre
· Maternity Care (Obstetrics)
· Medical, Surgical, Paediatric Wards
· Gynaecology Wards
· Minimal Access Surgery
· Mount Elizabeth – Charter Behavioural Health
Service
· Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre
· Mount Elizabeth Cancer Centre
· Neonatalogy
· Preventive Healthcare Centre
· Pathology
· Pharmacy Services
· Plastic Surgery
· Prosthetic Dentistry
· Psychiatry
· Psychological Tests
- IQ, ADHD, etc.
- Neuro-Psychological
· Radiology and Imaging Services
- Bone Mineral Densitometry
- Cardiovascular Services
* Angiography
* Stenting
* Electro Physiological Study
- Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
- Contrast Examinations
- Diagnostic Plain Film Radiography
- Echocardiography
- Fluoroscopic Examinations
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Mammography (Breast Imaging)
- Positron Emission Tomography
* Nuclear Medicine
- Interventional Services
* RF Ablation
* Vertebroplasty
* Embolisation
* Stenting
- Ultrasound Scan
- Lithotripsy
· Rehabilitation Medicine
· Rehabilitation Therapy Services
· Renal Dialysis Centre
· Renal Medicine
· Respiratory Medicine
· Rheumatology
· Robotic Surgery
· Surgery
· Therapeutic Radiology
· Thoracic and Cardiovascular

Neurology and Neurosurgery
· Neuroscience
· Tropical Medicine
· Weight Management Centre
SPECIALTIES: Anaesthesiology
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dental Surgery
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diagnostic Radiology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
General Surgery
Gynaecology
Haematology
Hand Surgery
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Medical Oncology
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Nuclear Medicine
Obstetrics
Opthalmology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Otorhinolaryngology (Ear Nose Throat
Surgery)
Paediatric Medicine
Paediatric Surgery
Pathology
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry
Rehabilitation Medicine
Renal Medicine
Reproductive Medicine
Respiratory Medicine
Rheumatology
Therapeutic Radiology
Urology
DOCTORS: Doctors at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre – 375
Doctors with admitting privileges at the hospital – 1,171
The Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre is Asia’s largest private medical centre with the highest
concentration of private specialists including cardiologists and cardiac surgeons; neurologists
and neurosurgeons and general surgeons.

Surgical Oncology on NCC

2008-08-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Department of Surgical Oncology is an important cornerstone of clinical services at NCCS. Almost all tumours require surgical expertise to obtain tissues for diagnosis, and first line treatment for nearly all solid tumours is surgical resection.

Staffing

There are seven senior consultants, three consultants, two associate consultants, four registrars and one resident physician in the department. The department hosts visiting surgeons from government, restructured and private hospitals as well as other specialist centres.

Surgical Subspecialties

Breast Surgery
Colorectal Surgery
Gynaecology Surgery
Head and Neck Surgery
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
Urological Surgery

Surgical Procedures It is rapidly establishing itself as a regional referral unit for complex cancer surgery:

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer surgery
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for initially inoperable metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver

Cancer Care in the Community

Care of cancer patients extends beyond oncology centres into the community where primary care is best delivered by family physicians. NCCS places a high priority on developing good working partnerships with our colleagues in the community. As part of our team based multidisciplinary care, each case would be discussed by oncologists at our centre as far as possible. Our discussion bulletins capture select case discussion from these tumour ward meetings and grand ward rounds. Should you have further questions that require input from our oncologists, we have an ‘ Ask the Experts 'column.
Training Programmes

The Department hosts two to four overseas fellows/ year keen to learn complex surgical oncology procedures.

Research

Singapore has successfully developed novel cancer diagnostics which have enabled their doctors to make early detection of certain types of cancers. This is done by adopting physical science techniques as in photonics imaging and bio-imaging techniques. Not known to many, the Centre is the leader in Singapore in pioneering non-invasive optical methods of cancer diagnosis. The techniques adopted allow what is not normally visible to the naked eye to be detected by optical imaging.
Video-assisted minimally invasive surgery has revolutionised the care of patients with either benign or malignant chest problems. Certain surgical procedures can now be performed through smaller incisions, resulting in lesser post-operative pain nad faster recovery: at NCC, for example, we now routinely perform biopsies of the lung, pleura and mediastinal lymph nodes using this approach.

Malignant liver tumours are either primary hepatocellular carcinomas (hepatoma, HCC) or secondary metastatic tumours. The optimal treatment modelity for HCC is surgical resection. With metastatic disease to the liver, when the primary site of disease is the coloretum or a neurooendocrine malignancy, there may also be a palliative role for resection of the liver tumours. In some situations, however, liver resection is not possible.
There are two types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common and it tends to grow and spread slowly. On the other hand, small-cell lung carcinoma is less common, and it tends to grow more quickly and spread to other organs.

Increasing use of mammography and ultrasound examination has led to a corresponding increase in the detection of non-palpable breast lesions.
The case for discussion is a 45 year old patient with metastatic NSCLC, who presented with shortness of breath.

Customising treatment for cancer patients
Is the cure for cancer already in the market? Is this deadly disease still taking its toll on the patients because they have not been given the right treatment? Are we making the best use of currently available drugs and therapies? These are questions that continually dog medical science even as the search continues for the elusive wonder drug that can cure all cancers.

National Heart Centre Singapore

2008-08-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

National Heart Centre Coronary Angiography
Heart Valve Surgery
Heart Transplantation
Cardiac Surgery
Thoracic
Cardiothoracic
Lung Cancer

National Heart Centre (NHC) Singapore is the regional referral centre for cardiovascular disease. The centre’s doctors, who are highly skilled and have extensive postgraduate qualifications, form the largest heart specialists group in Singapore.
A one-stop centre offering comprehensive services with various cardiac subspecialties and supporting services, National Heart Centre Singapore treats complex cases and sees the highest volume of patients in Singapore. With 185 dedicated inpatient beds and a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 700 healthcare professionals including over 60 experienced cardiac and thoracic specialists, patients can be assured of obtaining the most appropriate care regardless of the nature of their underlying heart disease.
Our annual workload includes over 80,000 outpatient consultations, 80,000 cardiac investigations and around 5000 invasive procedures such as angioplasty, pacemaker implantation and open-heart surgery. Our outcomes for heart attack treatment, balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery have been shown to be equivalent to international standards.
The centre is the first heart centre outside USA and in Asia to receive the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, which is an assurance for safe and quality patient care for the patients.
Our services include:
Investigative Procedures Medical Procedures Surgical Procedures
• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• Ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter monitoring)
• Cardiac and thoracic computed tomography
• Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
• Chest X-ray
• Coronary angiography
• Echocardiography (Trans-thoracic, Trans-oesophageal & 3D)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Electrophysiological study
• Exercise stress ECG
• Intravascular ultrasound imaging
• Nuclear stress/rest perfusion scans
• Rest & exercise gated blood pool scans
• Rest-redistribution thallium imaging
• Signal-averaged ECG (SA-ECG)
• Stress echocardiography
• Transtelephonic ECG
• Upright tilt test • Biventricular pacing implantation
• Cardiac catheterisation
• Catheter ablation
• Coronary angioplasty
• Coronary stenting
• Directional or rotational atherectomy
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation
• Mitral, aortic & pulmonary valvuloplasty
• Myocardial biopsy
• Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass
• Permanent pacemaker implantation
• Lead extraction
• Percutaneous device closure of secundum atrial septal defect / patent foramen ovale
• Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuplasty • Abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery
• Congenital heart disease surgery
• Conventional coronary artery bypass graft surgery
• Heart transplantation
• Left ventricular reconstructive surgery
• Lung resection
• Lung transplantation
• Lung volume reduction surgery
• Maze surgery
• Mechanical heart assist device implantations
• Off-pump/ beating heart surgery
• Peripheral vascular arterial surgery
• Thoracic aorta surgery
• Valvular heart surgery including valve repair and replacement surgery
Specialist Outpatient Clinics
• Clinical cardiology Clinic
• Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic
• Anti-coagulation Clinic
• Grown-up Congenital Heart Clinic
• Heart Failure Clinic
• Heart Transplantation Clinic
• Lung Transplantation Clinic
• Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Clinic
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic
• Dietitian Clinic
• Warfarin Counselling Clinic
• Obesity and Endocrine Clinic

diabetic retinopathy & Surgical Retina

2008-08-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Who gets diabetic retinopathy?(1 in 5 diabetics are affected)

Diabetes mellitus damages small blood vessels throughout the body, affecting many organs e.g. the kidneys, nerves, brain and retina. Damage to the small blood vessels supplying the retina results in diabetic retinopathy, which is a major cause of blindness in many countries.

All patients with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. However, IDDM patients are at greater risk due to earlier onset of disease. In a screening exercise for diabetic retinopathy in Singapore, 22% of patients were found to have retinopathy; and about half of these patients had severe, sight-threatening disease. This makes diabetic retinopathy a common condition in Singapore.

Although retinopathy is strongly related to duration of diabetes, it starts earlier and is more severe in those with poorly controlled disease. When combined with other medical problems (e.g. high blood pressure and kidney disease), or even pregnancy, the risk of retinopathy is even higher. Hence, good control of blood sugar levels as well as other medical problems is of great importance in all diabetics.

What are the different stages of diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is divided into 2 stages based on severity:
1. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
2. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)

In addition, the involvement of the centre of the retina, the macula, by fluid accumulation and swelling may accompany NPDR and PDR. This is called macular edema, and can cause early reduction in central vision, thereby impairing reading and sharp distance vision.

1. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
This is the early stage of diabetic retinopathy. The damaged retinal blood vessels leak fluid and blood into the surrounding retina. In addition, there is reduced blood circulation to the area normally supplied by these vessels, starving the retinal cells of oxygen and other nutrients.

At this stage, unless the macula is involved, vision may still be good.

2. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
PDR is the advanced stage of retinopathy, and is a major cause of blindness in diabetics.

This develops as retinal cells are increasingly starved of oxygen and the eye attempts to produce new blood vessels to compensate for this deficiency. Unfortunately, these blood vessels are abnormal and prone to breaking, which can result in bleeding into the eye. This blood results in poor vision and hinders treatment.

In addition, scar tissue accompanies the growth of the abnormal blood vessels and can pull on the retina and cause retinal detachment.

Abnormal vessels may also grow on the iris and angles and cause accumulation of fluid within the eye. The raised pressure within the eye as a result of this fluid accumulation is called “rubeotic glaucoma”.

How will the eye doctor examine me for diabetic retinopathy?

Regular eye examination is important in all diabetics, including those with good control of sugar levels. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow down the progression to sight-threatening disease.

The examination will involve checking the iris for abnormal vessels, and measuring the pressure of the eye. The pupils will then be dilated so that the retina can be examined in detail using various lenses and instruments. Pupil dilatation may cause mild and temporary blurring of vision.

In selected cases, a special test called fluorescein angiography may be done to help in diagnosis and treatment. The test involves injecting a fluorescent dye into a vein in the hand or forearm, and taking photos of the retina as the dye travels to the retinal blood vessels and lights up abnormal areas.

How can diabetic retinopathy be treated?

Good control of blood sugar levels with medication and dietary restriction is the most important step in delaying the onset and slowing down the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

1. Laser therapy
Once potentially sight-threatening retinopathy develops, laser therapy will be required. Very often, more than one session will be required for complete treatment. This treatment is generally done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.

It is important to understand that the benefits of laser therapy will not be immediately apparent. In fact, laser treatment may sometimes cause vision to worsen temporarily. Even where improvement in vision is expected, the effect may be seen only after weeks or months.

Side effects of laser therapy may include shrinkage of the peripheral visual field, decreased night vision and reduced color vision. However, in advanced diabetic retinopathy, the benefits of laser therapy in reducing the risk of permanent and severe visual loss far outweigh the side effects.

2. Surgery
In retinopathy too severe for laser therapy alone to be effective, or where end-stage complications (e.g. retinal detachment) have occurred, surgery may be the only treatment option. Surgery will include vitrectomy (removal of the jelly of the eye), and may be accompanied by other procedures like laser therapy at the time of surgery, surgical peeling of fibrous tissue and re-attachment of detached retina, etc. A gas bubble or silicon oil may be left in the eye after surgery. While the gas bubble will disappear over several weeks, silicon oil may need to be removed in a second operation after the disease is observed to have stabilized.
Medical Retina
Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are leading blinding diseases in the developed world.

Our Medical Retina Service specialises in treating patients with diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases, age-related macular degeneration, hereditary chorioretinal disorders, posterior segment inflammatory disorders, intraocular infections, central serous chorioretinopathy and other macular disorders.

Our ophthalmologists, with their subspecialty training, cater to the full complement of diagnostic services of ultrasonography, fundus fluorescein and indocyanine-green angiography, automated visual field testing, and electrophysiology. We also offer a complete range of therapeutic modalities of argon and diode lasers, photodynamic therapy, transpupillary thermal therapy, micropulse laser therapy, radiotherapy and intravitreal drug delivery. Our specialists in medical retina work closely with the endocrinology, rheumatology and infectious disease departments of the hospital.

Surgical Retina

Retinal detachment due to large tear.

Surgery of the vitreous and retina is a well-established, yet rapidly progressing field of ophthalmology that continually seeks to restore function to what is one of the most crucial structure in the eye - the retina.

Surgical retina refers to surgical treatment for conditions affecting the vitreous, retina and the choroid. The most commonly treated diseases are retinal detachments, diabetic eye diseases, macular holes, epi-retinal membranes, vitreous hemorrhages, macular hemorrhages, ocular trauma and intra-ocular lens implants and dislocated cataracts. Surgery usually takes the form of either extra-ocular buckling or closed intra-ocular microsurgery.

Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Service

2008-08-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

Eyelid & eye socket diseases & plastic surgery

1. Droopy eyelids (Ptosis):

Droopy eyelids lead to an appearance called ‘bed room eyes’. When significant, it may interfere with vision by blocking images from the superior field of vision. While the most common causes in adults is from prolonged contact lens use, injury or aging, it may also be seen as a anomaly at birth, which if not treated early may lead to permanent lazy eyes ( amblyopia). Treatment often involves a day-surgery procedure which not only enhances vision but also quality of life.

Child with congenital ptosis before and after corrective surgery

2. Baggy eyes/Dermatochalasis.

This is commonly seen in older adults as an ageing change both in the upper and lower eyelids. The most common cause is progressive stretching of tissues and loss of elasticity. Occasionally, puffiness of the eyelids may be seen from fat herniation and rarely from tear gland prolapse. Blepharoplasty is a simple day surgery procedure that improves the appearance and function of the eyelids. An eyelid crease (double eyelid) may be created at the same time. A detailed evaluation by your Eye plastic surgeon will determine if it is a medically indicated or esthetically desired procedure.

Before and after upper Blepharoplasty

3. Entropion and Ectropion

Inturning or Outward turning of the eyelid. Also called Entropion and Ectropion respectively, this is most often seen as an aging change which can result in irritation, tearing and rarely blindness from corneal damage. Common causes are stretching and weakening of the eyelid structures. Correction usually involves some form of tightening which enhances form and function of the eyelids.

4. Epiblepharon

Often seen in children and young adults of East Asian origin ( Chinese, Japanese & Koreans), the lower and sometimes the upper eyelashes are turned inwards causing corneal irritation, redness, watering and irritation. While in most patients it is mild and improves over time with lubrication, not infrequently surgical correction may be required to alleviate the symptoms providing permanent relief.

Epiblepharon with corneal abrasions

5. Other Conditions

They include benign and malignant tumors, injury from domestic and road traffic accidents which when determined whether they are isolated or associated with systemic disease may be managed appropriately.

This subspecialty refers to plastic surgery on structures such as the eyelids, tear passages (lacrimal system) and the bony socket where the eyeball is situated namely the orbit. The common surgeries in the eyelids include correction of droopy eyelids, abnormal lid positions such as in-turning and out-turning of eyelid margin, facial nerve palsy, lumps and bumps in the eyelids and tumor resection and reconstruction. Tear sac infections and obstructions are treated with either conventional or endoscopic surgery.

In addition, our specially trained doctors do aesthetic eyelid surgeries for sagging eyebrows (browlift), eyelids and eye bags (blepharoplasty). We complement such aesthetic procedures with other non-invasive rejuvenation procedures such as botox (botulinum toxin injection), fillers and chemical peels.

Orbital service includes management of orbital fractures due to accidents, tumour removal and rehabilitation of patients with bulgy eyes due to thyroid eye disease. Our oculoplastic surgeons also work closely with other specialists in the areas of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery and Maxillo-facial surgery for very complex cases.

NUH ENT Otolaryngology Centre

2008-08-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

The NUH ENT Centre functions under the Department of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat).
The NUH ENT Centre was set up to provide tertiary-level diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of both common as well as highly complex ENT disorders.

The Care Team

The ENT team comprises doctors, nurses and supporting professional staff who are dedicated towards providing patients with the best possible care within a one-stop medical facility.

Services

Head & Neck Surgery
Voice Clinic
Otology / Skull Base
Paediatric Otolaryngology
Rhinology / Nasal Allergy / Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Snoring / Sleep Disorders
Listen and Talk Programme

About Lasik Surgery National University Hospital

2008-08-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Refractive Surgery Service (LASIK)

Pre-LASIK assessment

The Refractive Surgery Service is housed at the NUH LASIK Centre. Patients who are keen to remove or reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses are assessed here.

The centre performs PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) for the correction of myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism.

The centre also performs phakic intraocular lens implants (special lens in the eye) for those with high myopia and do not have enough cornea thickness for LASIK.

1. How long is the treatment?

• Registration to discharge 2 hours
• Actual surgery 10 to 15 minutes

2. Is it painful?

• Minimal discomfort with LASIK
• PRK slightly more painful for first 72 hours

3. Can I use Medisave?

No, unless there is a medical reason for the surgery. Your doctor can counsel you on this after the pre-LASIK assessment.

4. How long does it take to recover?

• LASIK – useful vision within one day
• PRK – about 1 week to attain useful vision

5. When can I exercise or swim?

Light exercises after one week, no swimming for 2 weeks

6. When can I have the other eye done?

24 hours after the first eye or on the same day

7. Can the treatment be repeated?

Yes, for under and over-correction At least 3 months after initial treatment

8. Can I still use specs / contact lens if I have residual refractive error?

Yes. This question is asked by those that have high myopia but do not have adequate cornea thickness for full correction and are considering partial correction. For example, 1000 degrees but only has enough cornea tissue to correct up to 800 degrees.

Ambulatory Surgery Centre Singapore General Hospital

2008-08-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

The ASC provides an efficient one-stop facility aimed at providing maximum convenience and comfort to patients undergoing day surgery. At the ASC, no hospitalisation is required; rather, on the day of surgery, scheduled patients walk in for registration, prepared for surgery, operated on with minimal delay, and after a 2-3 hour recovery from the effects of anaesthesia and surgery, are discharged home, all on the same day.
The AC comprises a fully air-conditioned 21-bed ward and 6-operating theatre suite, with a comprehesive range of high technology, up-to-date surgical, anaesthetic and monitoring equipment. These allow for the safe and expeditious performance of a wide range of surgical operations performed under general or local anaesthesia. The ASC caters to the various surgical disciplines:
• General Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Hand Surgery
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Colorectal Surgery
• Chronic Pain Management

Common Visual Problems

2008-08-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Common Visual Problems (Refractive Errors)

Myopia
Myopia is commonly known as “short-sightedness”. This occurs when the eyeball is relatively too long, and light rays are focused in front of the retina. Close objects appear clear but far objects cannot be seen clearly. To correct this, a minus (concave) lens is worn to focus light rays onto the retina, thereby allowing clear vision.

Hyperopia
Hyperopia is commonly known as “far-sightedness”. This occurs when the eyeball is relatively too short, and light rays are focused behind the retina. Distant objects are slightly blurred, while near objects are more blurred. To correct this, a plus (convex) lens is worn to focus light rays onto the retina, thereby allowing clear vision.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the surface of the cornea is not uniform. This causes light rays to be brought to a distorted focus. Both near and distant objects are blurred. To correct this, a toric lens is worn to focus light rays onto the retina, thereby allowing clear vision. Astigmatism often occurs together with myopia or hyperopia.

Presbyopia
Presbyopia occurs around the age of 40 when the focusing mechanism of the eye begins to become inefficient. Near objects begin to blur, and reading material have to be placed further and further away in order to be seen clearly.To correct this, reading glasses (plus power) are worn to help with near work. As the lens becomes less and less elastic over the years, higher power of reading glasses needs to be used. Reading glasses will help, however the power of the spectacles required may increase gradually with time.

Nuheye surgery Centre

2008-08-28T07:04:00.000-07:00

Established in 1986, the NUH Eye Surgery Centre is committed to deliver the highest standard of service to patients.

At NUH, we have a team of highly skilled eye surgeons offering a full array of diagnostic and therapeutic eye services. We aim to provide excellent and cost-effective care for patients with eye diseases as well as educate patients, nurses, and medical students and doctors in the principles and practice of eye diseases.

Our comprehensive range of eye services include:
• Cataract Service
• Glaucoma Service
• LASIK Surgery
• Medical and Surgical Retina Service
• Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Service (Eyelid, Lacrimal and Orbit)
• Cornea Service
• Neuro-Ophthalmology
• Paediatric Ophthalmology
• Ocular inflammation and immunology Service

The NUH Eye Surgery Centre is staffed by experienced and sub-specialty trained eye specialists. General eye screening and eye problems are attended to and cataract surgeries are performed by all eye specialists. When the eye disease is complex and requires sub-specialty care, we have a full range of sub-specialists to attend to the specific eye problem.
Designation Name Subspeciality

Senior Staff A/Prof Paul Chew
Dr Shantha Amrith
Dr Caroline Chee
Dr Lennard Thean
Dr Gangadhara Sundar
Dr Clement Tan
Dr Jovina See
Dr Loon Seng Chee
Dr Wang Jenn Chyuan
Dr Inez Wong
Glaucoma
Eye Plastic Surgery
Medical & Surgical Retina
Glaucoma, Uveitis, LASIK
Eye Plastic Surgery
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Glaucoma
Glaucoma
Cornea, LASIK
Paediatric Ophthalmology

Senior Resident Physician Dr Yeong Suet Ming

Registrars Dr Anna Tan
Dr Audra Fong
Dr David Chan
Dr Mandeep Singh
Dr Manjunath Gupta
Dr Ray Manotosh
Dr Thet Naing
Dr Paul Zhao

Medical Officers Dr Chelvin Sng
Dr Cheryl Ngo
Dr Erlangga
Dr Gavin Tan
Dr Harold Choi
Dr Janina Tatsios
Dr Lim Hou Boon
Dr Maria Cecilia Aquino
Dr Ronald Chung

Visiting Consultants Dr Geh Min
Dr Gerard Nah
Dr Khoo Chong Yew
Dr Lee Sao Bing
Dr Lim Kuang Hui
Dr Raymond Phua
Dr Ronald Yeoh
Dr Sonal Farzavandi
Dr Wong Chor Chon

Visiting NUS Staff Prof Donald Tan
A/Prof Aung Tin