Eye Tests in Singapore: Available Tests & When to Get Checked

What is an eye test?

An eye test is a procedure used to assess your eye health and check for medical conditions, such as nearsightedness (distant objects look blurry), farsightedness (close objects look blurry), glaucoma, or other vision problems. These tests are carried out by an eye care professional, either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.

An optometrist is an eye care specialist trained to provide eye care such as vision tests, eye pressure tests (tonometry), prescribing contact lenses, and diagnosing common eye diseases. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is qualified to treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery and prescribe medication.

In Singapore, eye tests are available at both public and private hospitals or specialist eye clinics. For routine eye examinations and non-complex conditions, you'll be examined by an optometrist and referred to an ophthalmologist for advanced eye conditions and if surgical treatment is required.

When should I go for an eye examination?

Regular eye tests are essential for the early detection of vision problems and eye diseases, so it's not just for people who need glasses or contact lenses.

For adults, a vision screening helps to assess how well you can see at different distances, including with your current corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses), if you wear them, and to find out if you need a thorough evaluation of your vision and overall eye health (complete eye exam).

For babies and children, regular eye exams can help detect and correct vision problems before they cause learning difficulties or permanent vision loss. Generally, you or your child should undergo an examination during these times:

Recommended routine eye exam by age

Children

• 6 to 12 months: 

  • During this time, your child's vision should be checked as part of a regular baby visit to check for eye health and early signs of strabismus (misaligned eyes).

• 3 years: 

  • A follow-up examination is recommended to assess visual development and to check for amblyopia (lazy eye) and refractive errors.

• 5 years: 

  • At this age, at least one vision screening is recommended to ensure school readiness.

Adults

• Ages 18 to 39: 

  • If you don't have any risk factors for eye disease or symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam every 5 to 10 years is recommended. However, if you wear contact lenses, you'll need an eye test every year.

• Ages 40 to 59: 

  • Every 2 to 4 years, adults between the ages of 40 and 54 should undergo an eye exam. Those aged 55–59 are recommended to have an eye exam every 1–3 years.

• Ages 65 and older: 

  • Eye exams every 1–2 years to monitor for age-related eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

In addition, you should have frequent exams if you have other symptoms of vision problems, including:

• Changes in vision, such as blurred vision

• Eye pain

• Frequent headaches that may be related to eye strain

• A family history of eye disease, such as glaucoma

• Squinting or frowning a lot

• Blinking more than usual

• Difficulty seeing up close or far away

• Watery, red, swollen or crusty eyes

• Have a medical condition that increases your risk of eye disease, such as diabetes and high blood pressure

• Currently taking medications that may have side effects on your eyes, such as steroid medications

If you have had any of the aforementioned conditions, don't hesitate to request an appointment with Thomson Medical. Our healthcare team is available to assist you in taking an eye test and performing further examination to determine the appropriate next steps.

What do eye doctors check during eye tests?

During an eye examination, your eye care specialist will first ask you questions about your vision, such as any changes or problems you've noticed recently. They'll then check various aspects of your eye health by performing one or more tests, including:

• Visual acuity test:

  • This test measures your visual acuity (normal vision), usually using a Snellen chart. You read letters from a distance to assess how well you can see at different distances.

  • The result is often given as a fraction (e.g., 20/20), where the first number is the distance from the chart and the second number is the distance a person with normal vision can read the same line.

• Visual fields (perimetry test):

  • This test evaluates your field of vision, or how well you can see in all directions—above, below, and to the sides—while you’re looking straight ahead. A visual field can help detect blind spots that shouldn’t be there.

• Tonometry (eye pressure test):

  • A tonometry test measures the pressure inside your eyes (intraocular pressure) to check for glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve. Elevated eye pressure may indicate glaucoma, so this test is crucial for early detection.

• Movement and alignment:

  • This test checks that your eyes are aligned correctly and that your eyes can move correctly in all directions without moving your head. Your optician will test each eye individually and then both eyes together.

• Manifest refraction:

  • This test determines your exact prescription for glasses or contact lenses. The ophthalmologist uses different lenses to find the combination that gives you the sharpest vision.

• Pupil dilation:

  • The ophthalmologist will use eye drops to widen your pupils (dilation) to examine the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels inside the eye. The process allows them to check for conditions like diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.

• Schirmer's test (dry eye test):

  • This test checks how much moisture is produced by your tear glands. Strips of paper are placed on the lower eyelid to measure tear production, helping diagnose dry eye syndrome.

• Retinal photography:

  • This test uses a special camera to take detailed pictures of the back of your eye, including the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve. It helps identify retinal diseases, diabetic changes, and other conditions before they cause significant damage.

These complete eye exams usually take between 30 and 60 minutes, but it can take longer if additional tests are needed. After the test, if your vision needs corrective lenses, your eye care specialist will give you a prescription.

You can then visit an optician, a health professional who fills prescriptions for eyeglasses, helps you select frames, and ensures your glasses fit properly. Other than making glasses, many opticians also provide contact lenses.

Additionally, depending on your risk factors for eye diseases, current symptoms, or health conditions, your eye care specialist may recommend more frequent eye exams to monitor your vision and eye health.

Not sure which type of eye test suits your condition? Request an appointment with Thomson Medical to consult a healthcare provider who can help determine which testing methods best suit your medical condition.

Eye test Singapore price

In Singapore, the cost of an eye test varies based on several factors:

• The specific type of test

• Whether it's performed as a standalone test or as part of a health screening package.

• Your choice of medical facility, whether a public hospital, private hospital, or speciality eye clinic.

As a stand-alone test, the fee can cost between SGD 130 and SGD 220, again depending on which test is done. However, as part of a health screening package, it can cost between SGD 168 and SGD 388.

Unfortunately, MediSave cannot be used for routine eye screening or regular eye examinations. Generally, MediSave does not cover these preventive or diagnostic tests, and you will need to pay for them yourself or through other insurance plans, if applicable.

However, MediSave can be used for some eye procedures, such as cataract surgery, with a claim limit of SGD 2,450 per eye. This amount includes the surgery itself, as well as related hospital stays and consultations.

For detailed fee information and payment options, request an appointment with our specialists at Thomson Medical today.

How can I protect my vision?

To protect your eye health and prevent vision problems, there are a few things you can do, such as:

• Wear sunglasses when outdoors in bright light. Choose sunglasses with UV protection, which can help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

• Use adequate lighting when reading and writing to avoid straining your eyes.

• Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support eye health.

• When using a phone or computer screen, follow the 20-20-20 rule—look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to reduce eye strain.

• Wear protective eyewear, such as safety glasses or goggles, when playing sports or working with tools or chemicals.

FAQ

How can I check my eyesight at home? 

To test your eyesight at home, here's what you can do:

• Use online vision tests, as some websites or apps offer a basic visual acuity test.

• You can also download and print a Snellen chart from the internet to test how well you can read letters at a distance.

However, these tests are not as accurate as a professional examination, so it's important to see an optometrist for a full evaluation.

How to read eye test results? 

Eye test results are usually given in fractions or terms, such as:

• Visual acuity (e.g., 20/20): 

  • The first number is the test distance (usually 20 feet or 6 metres). The second number is the distance at which a person with normal vision can see the same line of letters.

• Eye pressure: 

  • Normal eye pressure is usually between 10 and 21 mmHg. Higher pressures may indicate glaucoma.

• Refraction: 

  • Your prescription includes numbers for sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL) and axis, which indicate the degree of nearsightedness (distant objects look blurry), farsightedness (close objects look blurry), or astigmatism (blurred or distorted vision at all distances).

What is a normal eye grade? 

Normal vision, or visual acuity, is usually 20/20. This value means that you can see clearly at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at the same distance. If the test results are worse, such as 20/40, it means that you can see at 20 feet what others can see at 40 feet, indicating reduced vision.

How to improve eyesight? 

While corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) and surgery such as LASIK can help improve vision, you also need to maintain healthy habits to support eye health. These include

• Eating a nutritious diet with eye-healthy nutrients (e.g., lutein, vitamin A).

• Taking regular breaks from computer screens to reduce eye strain.

• Staying physically active to maintain good circulation and general health, which supports eye function.

• Avoid smoking, as it can contribute to age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration.

Can phones cause blurry vision? 

Yes. Prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, or computers can lead to digital eye strain, which can cause blurred vision, headaches, and dry eyes. This condition is often referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

To minimise symptoms, take regular breaks (such as the 20-20-20 rule), adjust your screen settings and blink more often to keep your eyes lubricated.

What does +0.25 mean on an eye test?

After an eye test, a prescription of +0.25 indicates a mild form of hyperopia (farsightedness). The higher the number, the harder it is for you to see objects at close range.

This level of correction is often seen in early presbyopia (age-related farsightedness that usually starts in your 40s).

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations based on your medical conditions, request an appointment with Thomson Medical.