Pearl with her SNEC Colleagues and a placement student

Currently, Pearl is based at the Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC) and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) where she treats patients of all ages from all walks of life.

This allows her to treat a wide variety of eye-related conditions that range from amblyopia, strabismus, to double vision.

“There is a lack of awareness that health conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol levels and diabetes can also affect their eyesight."

“That's because these conditions disrupt the blood supply and circulation to the whole body, including the eyes. When this happens, the lack of oxygen to the nerves and muscles compromises an individual's vision."

Consequently, she spends time inculcating the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing any existing health condition, and incorporating good eye habits.

“I use simple words instead of complex medical jargon to reach out to patients for them to overcome their anxiety and their awareness of their medical situation. Besides simple words, another important factor is to adjust my volume and pace of speaking."

Occasionally, Pearl and her colleagues have to deal with angry, and uncooperative patients who are unable to accept medical advice.

Some patients are overwhelmed by long waiting times or whose worries took a toll on them. As a result, Pearl finds herself taking on the role of a counsellor where she encourages patients to have a greater sense of self-awareness about their health condition and to share their fears and concerns.

“It is helpful and important to try and understand what they are going through mentally as well as physically. In most cases, they become more cooperative when they sense that you care about them."

Treating young children requires a different approach.

“When children come in, they're in a new and unfamiliar environment. They have to undergo various tests which can be very scary to them. With a higher pitch and cheerful voice, I was able to connect with them."

She uses toys to keep them engaged and tries to gamify assessments to keep a light-hearted and relaxed atmosphere. Where possible, Pearl also tries to keep the session short when working with younger children, to cater to their short attention spans.

Although stressful at times, the satisfaction when seeing her patients' medical condition improve is an intangible reward.

As she puts it, “Vision plays a huge role in our confidence and independence, and being able to help patients alleviate their debilitating symptoms or improve their vision can have a significant impact on their overall well-being."

“This is immensely rewarding, and I feel encouraged when patients leave the clinical session with an acute awareness of their condition and the necessary steps needed to promote complete recovery."

 Pearl goes hiking with friends at Grampians National Park

A​s a recipient of MOHH's Healthcare Merit Award, Pearl was given the opportunity to pursue her passion for eye care at La Trobe University, Australia after graduating from junior college.

Besides studying overseas, a degree in Orthoptics has provided her with valuable hands-on experience working with patients with vision or eye movement disorders, which she applies to her current role on a daily basis. 

In fact, she often finds herself inspired by senior colleagues who leverage clinical data to enhance patient care. The passion and commitment that they display at work encourages her and is a sign that the future of orthoptics is bright.

Take regular eye breaks when using the computer — Excessive computer use strains your eyes, which can cause fatigue and dryness. An easy tip to remember is the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 mins, take 20 seconds of eye break by looking at an object 20 feet (6 metres) away. 

Make sure you're wearing glasses with the correct prescription — Eyewear with outdated or incorrect prescription can impair your vision and lead to headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. Check-in regularly with your optometrist to ensure that your glasses meet your eye's power needs.

Practise good hygiene if you're wearing contact lenses — Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, making them potential carriers for dirt and bacteria. Neglecting proper lens care can lead to infections or other eye-related issues. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses and store them in fresh, clean solution at night.

Plus, don't forget to remove your contact lens when sleeping, even when you're taking a short nap. This is because sleeping with your contacts on increases the risk of infection and may even damage your cornea.

Wear sunglasses — Sunglasses aren't just for looking cool; they're also crucial for protecting your eyes from harsh UV rays. Ensure your sunglasses offer UV protection, as these can shield your eyes from sun damage, preventing cataracts and other sun-induced eye problems.

Invest in protective eye gear — Safety goggles are your only defence in environments where particles, chemicals, or other hazards pose a risk to the eyes. Investing in quality protective eye gear isn't just about comfort — it's a proactive step in preserving your vision and eye health for years to come.

Looking to pursue a rewarding career in healthcare, just like Pearl? If you are, you should consider applying for the Healthcare Merit Award.

MOH Holdings (MOHH) is offering local and overseas scholarships to nurture the next generation of nursing, pharmacy and allied health professionals. These scholarships are in partnership with public healthcare institutions and allow you to study in local and overseas universities. For more details on the health science disciplines (including Orthoptics) offered, check out this page