Optical Services Survey (Updated)

There are many common eye conditions which could lead to permanent blindness. Most of these conditions do not show any symptoms.  Hence, early detection and diagnosis are crucial to maintaining your vision.   

The Optometrists and Opticians Board has recently conducted a survey with local optical outlets to collate information on the various optical services provided at their outlets.  In addition to the more common optical services available, the information includes the provision of two other useful screening tools used at the optical outlets.  You may refer to the respective outlets for the required optical services. 

*Disclaimer: The information is provided by the respective optical practices and the optical practices shall be fully responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

Information on general uses of optical equipment

1. Subjective Refraction: it is a type of visual test carried out to determine the degree of one’s short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Any patient who is undergoing subjective refraction will normally be presented with test lenses of different optical powers or focal lengths before being prescribed the most suitable lenses. 

2. Fundus photography: it is an advanced digital retina photography capturing an image of the back of the eye. It is often used to inspect anomalies and to monitor progression of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, retina neoplasms, choroid disturbances and diabetic retinopathy.   

3. Non-contact Tonometer (NCT):  A diagnostic tool to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside a patient’s eyes to determine patient’s risk for developing glaucoma, a disease that causes blindness by damaging the nerve in the back of the eye. The NCT uses small puff of air to flatten the cornea in a non-invasive way to check for high IOP.  

Ask for Registered Practitioners

Since 1 Jan 2008, under the Optometrists & Opticians Act, any person who is keen to practice optometry/opticianry in Singapore must possess a valid registration certificate and practising certificate and be registered with the Optometrists and Opticians Board.

Optometrists are primary eye care providers who specialize in performing eye examinations. Through the tests conducted, they can detect eye-infections and common eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, most of which may be treatable if detected early.  

Opticians: There are 3 different categories of opticians in Singapore (more information available here). All of them are equipped with the skills to dispense and fit glasses based on prescriptions from optometrists or ophthalmologists¹.

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_¹ Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialise in managing eye problems. They are trained to diagnose and treat eye diseases, including prescribing medications and performing eye surgeries.