Singapore consistently ranks among the highest myopia prevalence countries globally. Its dense academic environment, early near-work exposure, and historically low outdoor time have made it a focal point for myopia research and public health intervention.
The Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) longitudinal data shows approximately 65% of young adults are myopic, with rates in National Service conscripts (males aged 18–25) reaching 80% in some cohorts. The SCORM study (Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia, 2004–2012) tracked over 1,000 school children and documented the world's youngest mean age of onset in a large prospective cohort.
Singapore was one of the first countries to implement systematic school-based vision screening. The Health Promotion Board mandates annual school eye checks. The national "Outdoor School Hours" initiative increased compulsory outdoor time in primary schools to 70–130 minutes per day, following evidence from the SCORM study linking outdoor time to myopia risk.
Orthokeratology is widely prescribed and reimbursed through several insurance schemes. MiyoSmart DIMS lenses are available and common in private practice. Low-dose atropine 0.01–0.05% is prescribed as standard care at specialist centres including SNEC. Stellest lenses entered the Singapore market in 2023. MiSight is available but less commonly prescribed than in the US or UK.
Research contribution: The SNEC research team has published extensively on low-dose atropine, including the definitive ATOM1 (2006) and ATOM2 (2012) trials that established atropine efficacy and dose-response. Singapore remains a global centre for myopia management clinical research.
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Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) myopia prevalence data · Saw SM et al. SCORM Study. Ophthalmology. 2004 · Chia A et al. ATOM2 trial. Ophthalmology. 2012 · HPB Singapore School Vision Screening Programme 2024