Exotropia​- What to know?

In Asia, exotropia (divergent squint) ​is more common than convergent squints (where one eye drifts inwards). In Singapore, 92 per cent of all divergent squint cases are intermittent (not present all the time).

These eye exercises on the mobile app My​EyeGym developed by the Singapore National Eye Centre are suitable for at least half the intermittent exotropia cases seen at SNEC. They are aimed at improving control over visual function, thus reducing the need for eye muscle surgery.

It is also useful for patients with convergence i​​nsufficiency, a condition in which the eyes have difficulty coming together when performing near-vision tasks, resulting in occasional double vision, said Dr Yvonne Ling, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Service, at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), a member of the SingHealth group, who supervised the study team.

As people with strabismus​​​ have impaired stereo-vision (3D vision), they will have poor hand-eye coordination, making it difficult for them to play ball games or do things like threading a needle. They may also want to improve their condition for cosmetic reasons.

MyEyeDrops

Launched last year, this app helps glaucoma patients remember to take their medication or apply their eye drops. Earlier this year, it was expanded to include corneal transplant patients and those with dry eyes.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in Singapore. If they keep forgetting to apply their eye drops, glaucoma patients risk going blind and corneal transplant patients could face rejection of transplanted corneal tissue. The app reminds them to apply their eye drops as prescribed by their doctors, and encourages them to be proactive in ensuring that their vision does not worsen.

Users can select medication from a list and set reminder alerts. Patients with dry eyes can use the Dry Eye Diary to monitor and record the frequency and intensity of their condition, to help their doctors better manage their condition.

MyEyeMatters

This app offers comprehensive educational information on various eye conditions, symptoms, and useful eye care tips.

Click on page 1 to learn more about SNEC's new app for patients with exotropia.​​

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