Prevalence of Glaucoma
Preparing a Media Release for SingHealth Foundation on the issue of Glaucoma, an eye disease that will lead to blindness if left untreated.
Issue Analysis:
Title: New technologies to detect glaucoma
Source: The Straits Times Newspaper. Science B19, January 15th, 2016
According to The Straits Times article reported on 15th January 2015, new technology has been created to detect glaucoma, an eye disease known to cause visual loss that is irreversible. The research done by A*Star aims to quickly spot signs of eye diseases, allowing patients to slow down further damages with medicine. Based on the article, this system will be readily available in health centres and optic shops. The announcement of this new technology remind the general public that research is important as this will benefit human health which concerns us.
Research is important as it allows doctors to better understand the type of diseases and the cure for patients. This in turn improves the quality of life among the general public. This information is something new and it is useful for the target public to know that this system will be available in polyclinics and other optical shops as the condition of our eyes is always a concern.
SingHealth Foundation should invest more efforts in the research industry, as we need to constantly upgrade ourselves in order to combat new or existing diseases. Based on an article in The Straits Times, the new cornea transplant method reduces the rate of rejections and complications. This shows the effectiveness of researching as it introduces more new technology that minimizes risks. On the other hand, it is necessary for the public to stay healthy and take proper care of our eyesight on our part.
News Release Sample:
-For Immediate Release-
Subsidized eye checks in SingHealth Polyclinics with new technology
Singapore, March 4, 2016 - SingHealth Foundation will subsidized eye consultations for all Singaporeans using a new technology, AGLAIA (Automatic Glaucoma Diagnosis and Its Genetic Association Study), to detect glaucoma. The equipment developed by A*Star and Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), captures and analyzes images of the retina to spot early indications of the disease.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that leads to blindness. In Singapore, glaucoma affects more than 40% of the population.
Myopia, which is common among Singaporeans, is one of the risk factors contributing to glaucoma. Therefore this technology allows early detection of glaucoma with higher accuracy and lesser risks as compared to traditional methods. Medication applied in early stages can help slow down damaged caused to the optic nerve.
Adjunct Associate Professor Shamira Perera, senior consultant in glaucoma services in Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) says, “There is currently no cure for glaucoma, but detecting and treating the disease early can stave off blindness”
SingHealth Foundation’s goal for the current technology is to be able to detect any eye disease during the premature stage, as early treatment will prevent a condition from worsening.
Professor Aung Tin, the head of glaucoma research group at Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) adds, “It is crucial for us to persevere in our research efforts, then can we discover new possible diagnostic instruments to better aid the community.”
SingHealth Foundation emphasized that medicinal research for eye diseases is crucial as there have been cases of glaucoma sufferers losing their sight as they forget to take their eye drops. A provost at NTU Professor Freddy Boey affirms, “The problem has always been to be able to comply in the treatment of medication”.
About SingHealth Foundation
SingHealth Foundation is a non-profit organizations aiming to improve Singapore’s healthcare standards through supporting programs such as the cord blood bank, understanding patient care in post-hospitalization, medical research, and enhancing staffs knowledge. Professor Tan Ser Kiat is the current chairman of SingHealth Foundation.
Backgrounder:
The publics have raised concerns on the effects of an eye disease, glaucoma. Numerous discussions and news reports have been circulated on how the disease will inconvenience our daily lives, prevention methods, and even the importance of regular eye-checks to identify any potential problems beforehand. However, presently there is no absolute cure for this fatal disease and early-detection is key to avoid blindness.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an irreparable eye disease that leads to a gradual loss of sight. It is due to the build-up of excess eye fluids (aqueous humor) that increases the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eyeball to above 21mmHg, damaging the optic nerves. When more stress is pushed against the nerve fibers of the optic nerve, oxygen and nutrients is deprived from the nerves leading to high eye pressure.
It is a chronic disease and may be hereditary. Once disease is detected, immediate medical attention is necessary to minimize further harm caused to the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally.
Types of glaucoma:
Listed are the main types of glaucoma:
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Congenital Glaucoma
Secondary Glaucoma
Risk factors leading to glaucoma?
Aging population may be affected as their body functions beings to wearing out
Nearsightedness (myopia)
Family history with glaucoma condition
Medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease
Severe trauma or injury to the eyes damaging the optic nerves
African ancestry due to the shallow anterior chamber depth (eye’s drainage system)
Why is it of concern?
Myopia, one of the factors leading to glaucoma, is an uprising eye condition that Singaporeans are familiar with. Statics of about 80 per cent of 18-year-old Singaporeans are affected with myopia.
Myopia or nearsightedness is an eye condition where objects nearer to the eyes appears clear while distant objects appears to be blurred. Main signs of myopia usually start with squinting of eyes, and normally arise among children throughout their school years.
People affected with myopia are more prone to glaucoma. Based on a research, it is found that individuals with higher myopia level have higher eye pressure, thus more likely to develop Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. Myopic eyes tend to have thinner walls and longer axial length where distant between both ends of the eyes, cornea and retina, is too far apart. These features increase the eye pressure in eyes therefore leading to glaucoma.
These deductions show that regular eye screening is essential especially for myopic individuals as it helps recognize symptoms early, as obvious signs of the disease will only be noticed after high damage is done.
Surveys also showed that a large percentage of working adults with myopia go for LASIK to suit their active lifestyle. LASIK is a laser treatment to correct nearsightedness. This is done through lifting a flap of cornea surface to remove a thin layer of underlying tissue.
However this procedure does not reduce risks of glaucoma, but interferes with early detection, a key factor in prevention. This is due to the surgery’s method of thinning the cornea, which causes eye pressure readings to be lower than usual. This could mislead doctors into believe that patients are free of glaucoma if they did not declare their surgical history.
Astigmatism is another prevalent eye ailment among children that can be treated by prescription glasses, lenses or surgery. This condition is triggered by the uneven surface of the cornea, resulting in blurred or shadowed vision. This however, does not lead to glaucoma as the eye pressure does not increase.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
Glaucoma symptoms may not be noticeable until vision loss strikes. This stresses the importance of regular eye test to treat any high eye pressure conditions before it starts to damage optic nerves leading to blindness.
Visual symptoms includes:
Unusual issues adjusting to dark rooms
Unusual sensitivity to light or glare resulting in squinting or blinking
Difficulty to focus on near or distant objects
Double vision
Seeing ghost-like images
Dark spots at the center of vision
Lines and edges appears to be distorted
Appearance-like symptoms includes:
Change in color of iris
Excess tearing of eyes
Red-rimmed, stuffed or swollen lids
Physical discomforting symptoms includes:
Periodic pain in or around the eyes
Dry eyes with itching or burning sensation
How can it be treated?
Currently, there is no cure to glaucoma, but only life-long medication or surgery to prevent further damage to the eyes. It is essential to follow-up diligently on solutions advised by doctors as the disease may progress or advance silently. Treatment types available include the use of daily eye drops, laser therapy, and surgical procedures.
Daily eye drops
It is the most common medical treatment for glaucoma to prevent a condition from worsening. It reduces the pressure accumulated in the eyes through an agent, carbonic anhydrase, making it necessary for regular application. Prescriptions must be adhered to despite possible side effects such as stinging sensation or headaches, to avoid additional deterioration.
Laser Therapy
These various forms of laser therapy temporarily scale down thus avoiding further built-up of pressure in the eyes.
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT): It stimulates an opening in the eye’s drainage system hence allowing more outflow of fluid. This procedure however requires patients to return once every 2 – 5 years, as it is only a temporary solution.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): It is a new technique that works similarly to ALT, but the laser precisely and specifically targets melanin pigment in eye’s drainage system.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI): This procedure equalizes the eye pressure by creating a small opening through the iris with the laser, facilitating the flow of fluids.
Laser Cyclophotocoagulation: This procedure, done under local anesthesia, is used to reduce the production of eye fluids by damaging ciliary body that is in charge of releasing eye fluids. It targets the area by pointing the laser at the sclera, which is the white fraction of the eye.
Surgical options
Trabeculectomy: It is an operation whereby part of the eye’s drainage system is removed together with adjacent structures which allows fluids to flow underneath the conjunctiva.
Glaucoma Drainage Implants (aqueous shunt surgery): It is also commonly known as Glaucoma vales. This device is inserted surgically into a patient’s eyes to bypass and redirect the flow of fluids.
For further details about Glaucoma, please visit: www.snec.com.sg/
Company Factsheet:
About SingHealth Foundation
A management system initiation by SingHealth to coordinate research grant for health developments
Established to support programs and activities which advances healthcare standards in Singapore
Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), under SingHealth, is involved in clinical trials and research in eye diseases such as glaucoma and myopia.
Grants usage
Grants are given to facilitate and improve healthcare through:
Singapore Cord Blood Bank which increase chances of finding a blood stem cell match
Research to advance health standards
Educating SingHealth staffs with the skills to meet immense healthcare demands
Financial and medical assistance granted to aid needy patients in post hospitalization equipment and therapy rehabilitative programs
Grant Allocation chart based on annual report:
In the latest financial report, $3.6 million of funds are invested into researching possibilities.
Summary of past research milestones to fight against glaucoma:
Studies to recognize and evaluate the sudden cause of acute angle-closure glaucoma15
Creation of nanomedicine for glaucoma to replace traditional eye drops medicinal methods16
Researching on gene responsible for glaucoma
Surgery simulative application for trainee doctors to practice17
Exploration on how nitrates in vegetables provides optimal blood flow thus lowering eye pressure18
Studies on how poor blood circulation in the legs may give hints of glaucoma19
SNEC’s surgery success rates for glaucoma:
Patients eye pressure decreased to the safe amount after the first postoperative year
Trabeculectomy surgery with success rate of 98.8%
Positive results for Glaucoma Drainage Implants (aqueous shunt surgery)
Main donors, partners and supporters of SingHealth Foundation:
Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd
Lee Foundation
Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd
Profile of Spokesperson:
Adjunct Associate Professor Shamira Perera
Adjunct Associate Professor Shamira Perera is the current core faculty for SingHealth Opthalmology Residency Program, senior consultant in glaucoma services in Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), and Lecturer at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine under National University of Singapore. His research interest includes glaucoma and surgery, ocular imaging, cataract surgery, and lasers.
Adjunct Associate Professor Shamira Perera offered his expertise from SNEC’s operations, for a free simulation application meant for trainee doctors to train or revise surgical procedures.
Adjunct Associate Professor Shamira Perera was awarded with the Best Mentor award by SNEC for his commitment towards training and education and is an existing panelist for A*Star’s DxD hub which is involved in seeking advancement to Singapore’s health industry.
He graduated from Royal College of Ophthalmologists with a FRCOphth in 2007 and was also certified with BSc(hons) in Biochemistry First Class honours (1994) and MBBS(hons) in 1997 from United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’s, University of London.
Presently, he was invited to over 23 conferences as a lecturer and had reviewed manuscripts for the 5 main ophthalmic journals. Recognized for his contributions to the health industry, he won presented with a 2nd prize in a Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ophthalmic Congress held in KL and Silver award for service quality in 2011 by SingHealth.
Professor Aung Tin
Professor Aung Tin is the current Executive Director of Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Professor at National University of Singapore in the Department of Ophthalmology. Professor Aung Tin leads in the research for glaucoma in SERI and his research interests includes angle closure glaucoma and molecular genetics of eye diseases.
Professor Aung Tin participated in a genetics research to identify the DNA responsible for pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. His developed remedial solution to tackle the fault gene is in the initial stages.
He was the President of World Glaucoma Association and is involved as a board member in clubs and societies such as Asia Pacific Glaucoma Society and Asian Angle Closure Glaucoma Club.
Professor Aung Tin graduated from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Medical School, University of London with a PhD in 2004. After the years of his studies, he carried on with his research endeavors actively.
Today, he held over 1500 international conferences as a lecturer, and written more than 450 publications regarding his study. Reputable in this industry, he attained numerous prestigious awards including the STAR Investigator Award, the President’s Science and Technology Award and SingHealth GCEO Excellence Award.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How frequent do you need to go for an eye test?
Annual check ups are highly recommended for those who are more prone to the disease such as elderlies aged above 60, individuals with a family history of glaucoma or African-American heritage.
2. How much is the remaining fee payable after SingHealth Foundation’s subsidies?
$50. Additional amount can be used from the Medisave account.
3. Will there be any supporting financial schemes to aid patients from expensive treatments fees?
Yes. Medisave may be withdrawn and used for treatment bills, whereas needy Singaporeans may apply for Medifund at any SingHealth polyclinics.
4. Can the new technology spot all kinds of eye diseases?
Presently it can only be used to detect early signs of glaucoma, however additional research is ongoing to upgrade the system.
5. Will astigmatism lead to glaucoma?
No, it will only result in blurred or shadowed vision, as the eye pressure is not increased.
6. Will LASIK surgery reduce the possibility of glaucoma?
No. LASIK surgery may however hinder with eye pressure results.
7. Can glaucoma patients undergo LASIK surgery?
It is advisable not to as the surgery procedure briefly increases the eye pressure.
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