SPEECH BY DR AMY KHOR, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH, AT THE NATIONAL HEALTHCARE GROUP EYE INSTITUTE 7TH INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY CONGRESS OPENING CEREMONY, 8 AUGUST 2014

A/Prof Lim Tock Han, Deputy CEO (Education and Research), National Healthcare Group

Dr Wong Hon Tym, Medical Director of National Healthcare Group Eye Institute                             

Dr Leonard Yip, Chairperson of NHGEI 7^th International Ophthalmology Congress Organising Committee                                                                     

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.    Good morning, it is my pleasure to be here at the NHG Eye Institute’s 7^th International Ophthalmology Congress. Over the past seven years, this meeting has brought together over 100 global leaders in eye care to share their expertise with our delegates. This year, the congress is themed Innovation & Challenges in Glaucoma & Uveitis (pronounced “You-Vee-i-Tis”).

Introduction

2.    The discussions at this Congress would feature these two challenging eye conditions. Glaucoma, also known as the Silent Thief of Sight, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Singapore and the world. The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age with about 2-3% of Singapore residents aged 40 years and above having glaucoma. Uveitis, or inflammation of the eye structures, is less common and constitutes a small proportion of ophthalmological consultations. However, this condition requires prompt diagnosis and treatment in order to relieve pain and discomfort, and to prevent serious complications, including blindness. The Congress would address a vast range of issues related to these two eye conditions, from the perspectives of disease detection to cutting-edge research and treatment. 

Functional screening to enable graceful ageing

3.     Today, about 10% of Singapore’s population are 65 years old and above. This number is projected to grow to about 900,000 seniors by 2030. Vision impairment due to conditions like Glaucoma is common amongst our seniors. With our rapidly ageing population, it is important that we help our seniors detect any decline in vision as early as possible and manage this well so that our seniors can continue to lead independent and active lives. This will also help to reduce the risk of falls for which poor vision is a key cause.

4.     We have already put in place initiatives to support our seniors in this area. To assist our seniors to age gracefully and continue with their activities of daily living, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has initiated the Community Functional Screening programme to promote regular health screening in seniors aged 60 years and above in six functional domains. One component is an eye check-up, with subsequent referral to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for follow-up if necessary. Early detection of functional decline, coupled with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes will enable our seniors to remain independent with a better quality of life.

Upgrading the capabilities of primary eye care providers

5.    Aside from helping our seniors, there have been ongoing efforts to enhance community-based eye care. I am heartened to learn of the NHG Eye Institute’s efforts to upgrade the capabilities of primary eye care providers. Today, I am happy to inform you that a team of the Institute’s eye specialists, together with a senior optometrist, have co-authored the first English-language Fundus Photography Atlas in South-East Asia. This publication is targeted at educating primary eye care providers in the interpretation of fundus photography, which remains one of the most crucial diagnostic tools in ophthalmology. It is their hope that this manual will better equip primary practitioners in their detection and management of patients with eye conditions.

6.     Besides training our primary eye care providers, the ophthalmology residency programme also aspires to groom the next generation of well-rounded eye specialists. Currently, there are a total of 94 doctors under training to become eye specialists. Our government is committed to ensuring that we have sufficient and capable medical manpower to address the growing eye disease burden in our population.

New models of care

7.    Training and upgrading of our medical manpower’s capabilities is part of the ongoing drive to further raise the standards and quality of care for our patients. To complement that, my Ministry and our healthcare institutions are actively piloting new models of care and studying ways to improve patient accessibility to specialist services.

8.    For instance, research by the NHG Eye Institute had recently demonstrated that tele-collaboration between optometrist and specialist has the potential to safely replace face-to-face consultations for certain conditions. Under an upcoming pilot project, selected patients who have had a straightforward cataract surgery at Tan Tock Seng Hospital may soon be able to attend their 1 month post-operative follow up at Hougang Polyclinic instead of attending the follow up session at the hospital. An optometrist would transmit high resolution eye images via tele-ophthalmology links to the eye specialist at the hospital for a remote evaluation and tele-consultation. Clinical trials conducted within TTSH have demonstrated that such a set-up is comparable to face-to-face consultations. The results from the pilot will be reviewed at a later stage to determine the suitability of scaling up the tele-ophthalmology service.

Conclusion

9.    This annual gathering is an opportunity for delegates to tap on the wealth of knowledge among our overseas and local experts in the area of eye care. And I am confident that all of you will have an enriching learning experience during this congress.

10. Thank you.