singapore medical center

Vaser Liposelection remove unwanted fat Singapore

2009-08-23T01:54:00.000-07:00

Vaser Liposelection
Powerful and astonishing results
Imagine that you can:
remove unwanted fat from your body in just one session?
shape your body to an attractive and defined contour? Regain the youthful figure that age and childbearing have taken away?
reshape trouble spots that just don’t respond to diet and exercise?
Liposelection by Vaser® allows you to have this powerful body shaping experience in just one session! Liposelection, not liposuction, as its name implies, selectively removes fat while leaving the surrounding tissue - such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue - relatively intact – that means a lower down time, excellent recovery and no hospitalization- which means you can possibly start work the following day.
In TLC@Orchard Clinic, we harness the power of vaser® technology to achieve the best contouring results for you.
Source : http://www.tlcclinic.com/services/vaser.htm

Swine influenza Response System in Singapore

2009-05-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

The MOH announced that the Disease Outbreak Response System Alert status in Singapore remains at ORANGE. Precautionary measures are in place to forestall the spread of the virus to Singapore for as long as possible.

There are no additional cases for investigation. Of the 27 cases investigated thus far, 24 cases have tested negative for Influenza A, and 3 tested positive for the usual circulating seasonal strains of Influenza A.

The Home Quarantine Order came into effect today. As of 1900 hrs, a total of 3 HQOs were issued. 1 was issued to a foreign resident and 2 were issued to Singaporeans.

DORSCON is short for Disease Outbreak Response System and it lists out the list of responses that Singapore will take as a nation when threaten by a pandemic flu or infectious agent.

The different levels of DORSCON are green, yellow, orange, red and black.
GREEN

* No novel influenza virus causing severe disease in humans OR
* Occasional animal - human infections
* No Human - Human Transmission or rare cases of spread requiring very close and prolonged contact.
* Healthcare worker/ institution’s response - current triage of patients with fever in Emergency depts and polyclinics;
* Public response - hygiene measures, mask wearing, social responsibility

YELLOW

* Inefficient human-to-human transmission. Requires sustained close contact.
* Small clusters of cases may occur.
* Isolated imported cases may occur but there is no sustained local transmission.
* Healthcare worker/ institution’s response - staff in high risk areas (Emergency Depts, ICUs, Triage stations) in PPE
* Public response - GREEN measures + contact particulars recorded when visiting hospitals & clinics.

ORANGE

* More efficient human-to-human transmission. Virus not fully transmissible. Requires close contact.
* Larger clusters of cases in Singapore.
* Healthcare worker/ institution’s response - All areas with patient contact : staff in PPE
* Public response - YELLOW measures + No visitors to hospitals
o Encourage temperature taking at schools and non healthcare establishments
o Consider closure of schools and suspension of public gatherings and events

RED

* Pandemic is underway. Virus is fully transmissible from human-to-human
* Community-level spread.
* Mild - moderate morbidity & mortality (e.g. 1957 & 1968 pandemics)
* Healthcare worker/ institution’s response - ORANGE measures + antiviral prophylaxis when local cases occur.
* Public response - ORANGE measures + social distancing when local cases occur

BLACK

* Pandemic in Singapore with high morbidity and mortality (e.g. 1918 pandemic)
* Healthcare and other social systems overwhelmed.
* Healthcare worker/ institution’s response - as in RED
* Public response - more rigorous social distancing measures
o Suspension of all schools, social gathering and institutes of higher learning
o Advise public to stay at home and even consider curfew

Management of cases under DORSCON
Pre-pandemic (Green to Orange)

* TTSH/ CDC is the designated treatment facility for any case of potentially infectious disease.
* Clinics and step down care facilities will refer suspect cases to TTSH Emergency Department for assessment and admission, if necessary
* Hospitals will isolate all suspect cases and transfer confirmed cases to TTSH/CDC. Confirmed cases, including children and pregnant patients will be centrally managed at TTSH/ CDC. Paediatric and obstetric services will be set up at TTSH/ CDC by KKH when necessary. They will be activated by MOH. When TTSH/ CDC approaches full capacity, other restructured hospitals (RHs) will also have to manage influenza cases.

Pandemic (Red to Black)

* Flu Clinics will be established at polyclinics and participating primary care clinics to provide outpatient care.
* Patients with influenza, aged 1 year and older, will be treated with anti-virals. The severe cases will be referred to restructured hospitals for treatment.
* Due to the expected large number of asymptomatic cases who could present other complications, both restructured hospitals and private hospitals will need to manage flu as well as non-flu patients. Hospitals and Flu Clinics should segregate flu and non-flu cases to minimise transmission.
* There is a dedicated ambulance service for transportation of potentially infectious cases to TTSH/ CDC.

List of Best New Jersey Lasik Clinic & Surgeon

2009-02-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

This webpage provides information about LASIK surgery in New Jersey and around the United States. LASIK is performed by cutting a corneal flap and reshaping the contour of the eye with Excimer laser. Traditional microkeratomes or newer femtosecond lasers (IntraLase) create the corneal flap incision in your eye. After reshaping the underlying cornea with the Excimer the corneal flap is replaced. The corneal flap only heals at the edge and not underneath the flap. This means the cornea flap does not add strength to the eye the way it did before the incision. This is a permanent condition.

Dr. Hedaya uses the LADARVISION 4000 flying spot Excimer laser system for the corneal contour reshaping in both the Lasik & Surface laser procedures. The LADARVISION can perform both standard & Custom Laser procedures. (See checkbox below) The LADARVISION uses a combination of propriety software and computer controls to reliably treat myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. The average Lasik procedure takes about 3 minutes per eye, with the laser portion of the procedure averaging less than one minute.

“What happens if I move doctor?”

You will find comfort in knowing that the LADARVISION flying spot laser is the only laser in the world fast enough to fully track and treat your eye despite movements. It utilizes a FDA approved NASA developed laser tracker. This technology was developed as a way of tracking satellites during the Reagan administration's Strategic Defense Initiative. The active tracker of the laser will track the eye with laser radar 4000 times per second, and the scanning mirrors will adjust in order to place the laser beam in the correct position, even when the eye moves. No other FDA approved laser offers tracking capability.

There is a growing trend to shift from Lasik to Surface Laser procedures to avoid the corneal incision necessary to create the flap. Eight years ago, nearly 100% of laser vision correction procedures were of the Lasik variety. Today, the percentage of laser vision correction that is performed by creating a corneal flap (Lasik) has dropped to 65%.

Surface Laser (PRK & LASEK) has rapidly grown to 35% of today’s procedures due to its safety profile.

Both Lasik & Surface Laser can be used to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Who is a good LASIK candidate?

Not everybody is a good candidate, but good candidacy is a major factor in a successful outcome. We therefore screen our potential patients very carefully. We will do a thorough eye examination and review your medical history. We will talk with you to make sure you understand the procedure and what to expect from it.

To qualify you will need to:

Be over 18 years of age
Have a stable prescription (at least two years)
Be nearsighted, farsighted, and/or astigmatic
Be free of any disease which would impair your healing, such as Lupus, Hepatitis, or Crohn’s disease
Have no herpes infection in the eyes
Have no scarring on the corneas and no eye infections or injuries for at least a year prior
Understand that no surgery, LASIK included, can have a guaranteed outcome

If we determine that you would not be a good LASIK candidate, you might still be able to have vision correction. We would discuss the possibilities with you at that time.

About your initial consultation:

Your initial consultation for Laser Vision Correction (LASIK), Verisyse Lens
(High Myopia), or Crystalens(cataract replacement lens) typically incorporates a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This exam is approximately one hour and will consist of a thorough clinical evaluation and diagnostic testing to determine the eligibility of each patient based on their desired and recommended procedure. Patients will undergo a WaveScan (WaveFront Guided Technology) to measure the refractive error (prescription) along with the percentage of higher order aberrations (visual obscurations), which contribute to unclear vision. After which the surgeon will explain the formalities of the procedure, including previewing the state of the art technology and complete surgical suite used for the surgery. This laser suite is equipped with unmatched climate control abilities including humidity and temperature regulation along with HEPA filtration to maximize air quality and purity during surgery. We also use the Visx S4 Excimer laser, with precise eye tracking and Iris registration functionality. Once a patient has been determined to be a good candidate for the desired and/or recommended procedure, they meet with our refractive director to review the necessary information and to offer convenient financial options. Procedures are scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.

Preparing for Your LASIK

After we have established your candidacy, you would schedule an appointment for diagnosis. Typically, when you go to an eye doctor for new glasses, the new prescription is established by use of a phoropter. You sit and look into the machine at a little eye chart, reading the smallest letters you can see, while the eye doctor flips from one lens to another, asking, “Is this clearer … or this?”

This is not how your LASIK treatment is planned. Our VISX Wavefront system diagnoses each eye separately, by shining a light into each eye and recording that light’s configuration as it reflects back into the system. The term Wavefront refers to the front of this light as it returns from your eye. The light waves return in a pattern which the system expresses as two 3-D maps, showing the microscopically tiny contours of each eye.

From these two maps, Dr. Almallah plans your treatment. Whereas thousands, probably millions, of other people have the same glasses prescription as you do, no-one else will ever have the same LASIK treatment as you. Every human eye is unique.

The LASIK Procedure

We have a specially-built Laser Suite where we perform LASIK procedures. It has humidity control, air quality control, and temperature control. This helps to enhance your refractive surgery, reducing the likelihood that you will need any touch-up procedure later on.

While you recline comfortably on the patient bed, Dr. Almallah will implement the treatment plan using the same VISX system which diagnosed your eyes. The treatment laser is guided by the diagnostic information, subject to Dr. Almallah’s control.

Treatment lasts only a few minutes. Numbing eyedrops are used so you will feel no pain. A very thin piece of surface tissue is made into a hinged flap and folded back. Tiny pieces of unwanted corneal tissue are vaporized by the laser to modify the cornea’s curvature.

If you are nearsighted, your treatment will flatten the cornea a little
If you are farsighted, it will steepen it a little
If you are astigmatic, the treatment is based on the specific contours of your corneas

Treatment can be done on both astigmatism and near- or far-sightedness at once. When the laser is finished, Dr. Almallah will carefully replace and smooth the corneal flap. It will adhere to the corneal tissue beneath it and heal up without any sutures.

Recovery

You will notice your new vision immediately, but at first your eyes will feel like staying closed. We will keep you for a short while to check on your eyes again before you go home. You should rest; take a long nap, for the rest of the day.

The following day most people resume normal activities, minus the glasses or contact lenses. We will give you a sheet of self-care instructions before you leave, and explain how to keep your eyes protected until they’re fully healed.

Below are list of lasik clinic & surgeon in New Jersey:
Gotham Lasik
12th Floor, 156 West 56th St.
New York, NY
(212) 581-1280

Manhattan Lasik Center
110 E 55th St # 3
New York, NY
(212) 759-9617

Diamond Vision Lasik NY
345 E 37th St # 301
New York, NY
(800) 984-2020

Lasik Sight Laser Center
110 E 55th St # 3
New York, NY
(212) 759-7500

Lasik of New York
33 1st Pl
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 875-7127

Lasik Specialists of Ny
16 E 52nd St # 500
New York, NY
(212) 593-2015

Lasik Doctor Barrie Soloway, MD, FACS
Ninth Floor, 160 East 56th Street
New York, NY
(888) 695-2745

Lasik Doctor Barrie Soloway, MD, FACS
Ninth Floor, 160 East 56th Street
New York, NY
(888) 695-2745

New York Lasik Vision Correct
211 E 70th St
New York, NY
(212) 734-0111

New York Lasik Center - Vision Correction - Lasik Surgeons
160 East 56 th Street, suite 901
New York, NY
(212) 758-3838

New York Lasik Center-Lasik Eye-Lasik Doctor-Manhattan Lasik
160 East 56 th Street
New York, NY
(212) 758-3838

New York Lasik Center - Eye Surgery - Laser Eye Surgery
160 East 56 th Street
New York, NY
(212) 758-3838

New Lasik Vision
210 E 71st St
New York, NY
(212) 628-2475

Lasik Surgery Associates
718 Park Ave
New York, NY
(212) 472-2020

Gotham Lasik
156 West 56th St, 12th Floor
New York, NY
(212) 581-1280

No Touch Lasik Center
4722 Fort Hamilton Pky
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 436-3211

New York Lasik Center - Lasik Eye Doctors - Brooklyn Lasik
587 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 627-0303

New York Lasik Center - Laser Eye Surgery - Lasik - Eye S...
98-14 65 Avenue
Rego Park, NY
(888) 695-2745

New Jersey Lasik Center
98-14 65 Avenue
Rego Park, NY
(888) 695-2745

Advanced Lasik Vision
98-14 65 Avenue
Rego Park, NY
(888) 695-2745

Constad William H MD
600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Natale Benjamin P Do
1 McWilliams pl, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 795-0808

Pavonia Optical
600 Pavonia Ave # 6, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-9187

Hudson Eye Physicians & Surgeons
600 Pavonia Ave # 6, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Pitta Ceaser G MD
600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Cangemi Francis E MD
600 Pavonia Ave # 4, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 656-1212

Cinotti Donald J MD
600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Cervenak Betty a MD
203 Palisade Ave # 5, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 653-5722

Maltzman Barry a MD
600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Samson Cesar R MD
600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Advanced Vision Group HHP
1 McWilliams pl, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 795-0808

Sarn Bernard MD
1815 John F Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 653-3171

Ricciardelli E F Jr MD
1670 John F Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 434-4772

Lai C Phillip MD
600 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 963-3937

Vora B N MD
142 Palisade Ave # 113, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 656-7171

Mei-Ling Yee MD
142 Palisade Ave # 208, Jersey City, NJ
(201) 795-2020

D'Alberti Claudio F MD
1126 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ
(201) 659-2020

Hudson Eye Specialists
2201 Bergenline Ave # 3, Union City, NJ
(201) 601-2020

Cohen Irwin MD
150 Broadway, New York, NY
(212) 233-2344

Shepps Gerald J
150 Broadway, New York, NY
(212) 233-2344

New York Lasik eyes surgery

2008-11-07T21:26:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for lasic clinic and lasik surgeon in new yourk ?
Below are the information about Lasik.

LASIK (or laser-assisted in situ keratomilieusis) is the most commonly performed Laser Vision Correction procedure in the world, accounting for more than 90% of all LVC procedures. LASIK works by first creating a flap in the cornea (our practice uses a blade-free femtosecond laser to do this), which is folded out of the way. An excimer laser then corrects your refractive error by removing a microscopic layer of the cornea in a precise pattern customized, whenever possible, to each patient’s eye. The laser will flatten your cornea if you are myopic, steepen it if you are hyperopic, or round it out if you have astigmatism. The flap is then smoothed down over the cornea, aligning back perfectly as in a jigsaw puzzle. The corneal flap sticks back like a “Post-It Note” within a few minutes, and the procedure is over.

What makes LASIK so popular is the rapid improvement of vision when compared to other forms of LVC. No matter how strong your prescription, the average LVC patient can usually pass a driver’s vision test twenty-four hours after surgery, often even after only one hour. This quick, often miraculous recovery is due to the microkeratomean instrument similar to a carpenter’s plane. The surgeon places the microkeratome on the cornea after using numbing eye drops and, using a suction device to lock the microkeratome into place, creates a corneal flap. This thin flap of corneal tissue is folded out of the way and the excimer laser removes a thin layer of corneal tissue to correct your visionflattening your cornea if you are myopic, steepening your cornea if you are hyperopic, or rounding it out if you are astigmatic. The surgeon then smoothes down the flap, fitting it back exactly where it came from, like a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, over the ablated area. The corneal flap adheres to the rest of the cornea within minutes and the procedure is over

LASIK eye surgery is very similar to other surgeries. There is an evaluation, preparation for surgery, the procedure, and post-operative exam. Each part is just as important as the one before it, as well as the one after it. It is very important that you follow all of your doctor’s instructions for each aspect of the surgery in order to get the best results with the lowest instance of complications.

Before you have your surgery, and even before your initial evaluation, you will be given some instructions of what to do to prepare your eyes, mainly your corneas. If you are a contact lens wearer, then your doctor will instruct you to stop wearing your contact lenses and switch over to your glasses for a minimum of four weeks. Contact lenses change the shape of your cornea, and you need to allow your cornea to return back to its normal shape before you have surgery. You will also need to stop using any sort of eye make-up, face creams or lotions, perfumes, or hairspray for a minimum of twenty-four hours before your surgery.

About New York City LASIK Eye Surgeons Eye Doctors in New York NY
WHY USE A TRUSTED LASIK SURGEON
LASIK EYE SURGEON QUALIFICATIONS
HOW IS YOUR VISION
Myopia or Nearsightedness
Hyperopia or Farsightedness
Astigmatism or Blurred Vision
Presbyopia or Reading Problems
Cataracts
LASIK & OTHER EYE PROCEDURES
NewYork LASIK Laser Vision Surgery
New York All Laser LASIK - Bladeless
New York PRK Laser Vision Surgery
Wavefront Custom Laser
Lens Implants
Other Vision Procedures
Conductive Keratoplasty
New York LASIK EYE SURGERY FAQ
New York GENERAL EYE AND VISION FAQ
New York LASIK EYE GLOSSARY
NewYork LASIK EYE SURGERY RESOURCES
Lasik & Laser Related
General
ABOUT TRUSTED LASIK SURGEONS
SPECIAL LASIK REPORTS

New York City LASIK Eye Surgeon Richard Braunstein, M.D.

Dr. Richard Braunstein, M.D., in New York City, New York has extensive qualifications placing him among top 1% of LASIK Eye Surgery and refractive Laser eye surgeons in the United States. View Dr. Braunstein's exceptional qualification via the link above.

Appointments: (888) CVC-1660 or (212) 326-3320

Columbia Vision Correction
16 East 60th Street
New York, New York 10022

New York City LASIK Eye Surgeon Cas Swinger, M.D.

Dr. Cas Swinger M.D., in New York City, New York also has extensive qualifications placing him among top 1% of LASIK Eye Surgery and refractive Laser eye surgeons in the United States. View Dr. Swinger's exceptional qualification via the link above.

Appointments: (212) 579-5500

Swinger Vision
MEETH Laser Center
210 East 64th Street NYC 10021

Call today for your complimentary consultation with true LASIK Eye Surgery expert who is a trusted eye surgeon and vision care specialist.

Medical Imaging Services

2008-07-14T08:37:00.001-07:00

Investigative ServicesThe Department of Oncologic Imaging provides a wide range of medical imaging services: Computed Tomography (CT), 64-slice Multi-Detector CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasonography, computed Radiography and Image-guided biopsy, and interventional procedures such as mammotome breast biopsy, hookwire breast localisation and fine needle aspiration for cytological diagnosis.
It embarked on a totally film-less environment through our Picture Archival and Communications Systems (PACS). Radiological images can be viewed at the consultation rooms via personal computers. Implementation of PACS minimises the problem of lost films by facilitating rapid access to radiological images and reports, thus enhancing multidisciplinary case conferencing among oncologists of different specialties.
Customising InvestigationsNot all patients require the same investigations. During your first visit to the clinic, comprehensive imaging investigations may be conducted to accurately diagnose your condition and prescribe the right treatment. On subsequent visits to the clinic, your doctor may request that you undergo certain investigations for further diagnostic, treatment or monitoring purposes.
Common investigations include:
Blood Taking
General X-ray
Mammography
Computerised Tomography (CT) Scan
CT Colonography
Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Biopsy
Endoscopy
Mammotome
Your oncologist will receive the results of your investigations conducted at NCCS or SGH. For complex investigations that required some time to process, your oncologist will discuss the results during your next appointment.
Advances in ImagingThe department’s acquisition of 64-slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) advances the early detection and treatment of cancer. The 64-slice MDCT allows for technically advanced applications in the screening for lung and colon cancers. These applications include CT colonography and low-dose CT for lung cancer screening. CT colonography is non-invasive and has been shown in studies to be as efficacious as conventional methods in detecting cancer.

Palliative Care Services at NCCS

2008-07-14T08:36:00.001-07:00

How Palliative Care HelpsWith special skills in the pain control and symptoms, the team may be involved at every stage of a patient’s treatment, providing care for patients who are undergoing cancer treatment from surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, right till the time when such therapies are no longer of benefit. IIt focuses on the management of pain and the treatment of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and breathlessness, rehabilitation, nutritional and psychosocial support. With palliative care support, it is possible for cancer patients to enjoy a good quality of life.
Customising Palliative CarePalliative Medicine physicians conducts specialist outpatient clinics at NCCS, and provides inpatient services at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). They customise care according to the needs of each patient. These may include arrangements for a maid, special equipment such as oxygen supply, or a home care service to provide the patient with medical or nursing care at home. The team can also arrange for patients to enter a suitable nursing home or hospice such as Assisi Home and Hospice and Bright Vision Hospital. To ensure that NCCS patients receive holistic and empathetic care the department works closely with NCCS’ Department of Psychosocial Oncology

the largest radiotherapy facility in Singapore in NCCS

2008-07-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Treating Cancer with Radiation TherapyThe Department of Radiation Oncology is the largest of four radiotherapy facilities in Singapore, with our specialists seeing 3,000 new cases a year. It has transformed from its basic service origins into a high technology radiation oncology centre of international calibre. It serves as a referral centre not only for Singapore, but also for the East Asian region. It has also become a regional centre for training both medical doctors and radiation physicists for this region.
The department seeks to provide an integrated and thoughtful approach to all oncological problems with an emphasis on multidisciplinary care and tumour site specialisation. It manages the full spectrum of malignancies:
Adult and paediatric
Solid and haematological
Radiation TherapyHow Radiation Therapy Works Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing or spreading. Radiation is delivered only to a localised region. Although it can affect both cancer cells and normal cells, radiation treatment attempts to destroy more cancer cells and spare as many normal cells as possible.
Customising Radiation TherapyRadiation treatment is usually given on an outpatient basis, 5 days a week, for several weeks depending on the type of cancer. Each treatment course is customised to ensure that radiation (is specific for each individual patient to optimise treatment of ) the cancer while avoiding or minimising damage to the surrounding (normal) tissues.
Radiation Therapy can be administered by:
External Beam Therapy where radiation (from an external source) is directed from the treatment machine to a particular area of your body
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy) where a small radioactive material is placed inside your body exactly or close to where the cancer is.
More information can be found in the ‘Understanding Radiation Therapy’ Booklet.
Advances in TreatmentIMRT This is a specialised type of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy that focuses multiple radiation beams on the tumor. Beam intensities vary, so that the highest possible doses can be used to destroy cancerous tissue with sparing of normal structures. Proper positioning of the patient is crucial to the success of IMRT. Imaging of the target volume involves using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as well as Computed Tomography (CT) scanning and radiation oncologists use special planning software to determine the most accurate treatment. By these means the patients may have a higher chance of cure with a lower risk of side effects from the radiation treatment.
Being well equipped with the latest treatment machines and simulators, the department is capable of providing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery and high dose-rate brachytherapy. In another step forward, IMRT has been used to treat 112 nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients. IMRT improves (the delivery of external beam radiation therapy and has been shown to also improve) the quality of life of patients by reducing the xerostomia (dryness of the mouth) rate. The use of this advanced equipment has also shown a local control and survival advantage.

The Department of Surgical Oncology

2008-07-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

The Department of Surgical Oncology is an important cornerstone of the clinical services at NCCS. As almost all tumours require surgical expertise to obtain tissues for diagnosis, the first line treatment for nearly all solid tumours is surgical resection.
Treating Cancer with Surgery The Department of Surgical Oncology is an important cornerstone of the clinical services at NCCS. Almost all tumours require surgical expertise to obtain tissues for diagnosis, and the first line treatment for nearly all solid tumours is surgical resection. This department provides treatment management plans and protocols that will streamline patient care and ensure a uniformity cancer care. Surgical diseases which require other additional therapy within the NCCS will be managed with a multi-disciplinary network to ensure best possible care for all patients at all times.
Cancer surgery in the department is differentiated into several distinct sub-specialties. These include:
Breast surgery
Colorectal surgery
Gynaecological surgery
Head and neck surgery
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery
Thoracic surgery
Upper gastrointestinal surgery
Urological surgery
Each surgeon in the department brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, experience and concern for patients. Thus collectively, the surgical faculty enables NCCS to provide the best quality cancer care to its patients. Surgical oncologists are key members of multidisciplinary teams that subserve all tumour types. Their expertise, combined with that of other oncology specialists, ensures complete and balanced assessment and management for all patients.
Surgery How Surgery Works Almost all cancers are treated by surgery especially in the early stages. Surgery is the local treatment to remove the cancer. Tissue around the cancer and nearby lymph nodes may also be removed during the operation. Your surgeon will determine if you are an ideal candidate for surgery and the extent of your surgery. Customising Surgery Eligible patients:
Usually have tumours confined to a specific area,
Are able to handle general anaesthesia, and
Have been assessed to be suitable by a trained surgical oncologist
Is there hope after your cancer has spread? New procedures include:
Peritonectomy and intra-peritoneal chemotherapy for the management of advanced intraperitoneal disease
Sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer surgery, and
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for initially inoperable metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver.
In addition for large cancers, the department continues to push the frontiers of surgery by offering palliative resections for better pain management

Chemotherapy or Medicine to cure Cancer

2008-07-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

Treating Cancer with Medicine or Chemotherapy Whenever appropriate, new patients are evaluated within Multidisciplinary Specialty Clinics comprising surgical, radiation and medical oncologists. The Department of Medical Oncology continues to introduce new drugs to treat cancer. Drugs like Herceptin, which improves the chance of survival for many breast cancer patients, are being offered to eligible patients. Overseas patients with diseases that had no effective treatment in the past, such as Glivec-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumour and renal cell carcinoma, now seek treatment here.
ChemotherapyHow Chemotherapy Works Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from reproducing themselves. Chemotherapy is given in cycles. Each cycle consists of a treatment period followed by a resting period. The resting period is to allow the body to recover before the next treatment cycle starts. Customising Chemotherapy The specific medicine or combination recommended, as well as the frequency of the treatment, depends on:
The kind of cancer,
It's location
The person’s height and weight, and
How quickly the healthy normal cells recover from the treatment
Hormone TherapyHormone therapy controls cancer by changing the hormonal environment. Hormones are distributed in the bloodstream and help to regulate and coordinate growth, metabolism and reproduction. Breast and prostate cancers respond well to hormone treatment. It is usually administered via oral medication.
Different hormone therapies available:
Herceptin
Anastrozole
Letrozole
Biological TherapyBiological therapy, also called immunotherapy, is a form of treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight infection and disease or to protect the body from some of the side effects of treatment. Monoclonal antibodies, interferon, interleukin-2, and white blood cell-stimulating factors such as GM-CSF and G-CSF, are forms of biological therapy.
Advances in Treatment This include the use of:
Chemotherapy drugs that do not cause severe hair loss (e.g. vinorelbine, gemcitabine);
Use of oral rather than injectable chemotherapy (e.g. capecitabine);
Increasing use of drug treatments to reduce the size of primary tumours before surgery;
More widespread use of non-cross-resistant drugs (e.g. paclitaxel, docetaxel, irinotecan, oxaliplatin);
More frequent combination of chemotherapy with radiotherapy;
Increased use of target-selective biological anti-cancer reagents such as humanised antibodies (e.g. rituximab, trastuzumab) and drugs directed against cancer-selective targets (e.g. STI 571).
Gold Standard Protocols

NCCS National Cancer Centre SIngapore Services

2008-07-14T08:29:00.002-07:00

Clinical Specialities

NCCS offers outpatient clinical services focusing on these cancers:
Breast
Colorectal
Genetic Counselling & Risk Evaluation And Prevention
Geriatric Oncology
Gynaecology
Haematology
Head & Neck
Hepatobiliary
Lymphoma
Musculo-skeletal
Neuro-oncology
Naso-pharynx cancer (NPC)
Paediatrics
ReconstructiveNormal cells grow, divide and replace themselves in an orderly manner. Under normal conditions, your body constantly replaces cells that are lost either naturally or through injury. However, sometimes our body is unable to balance the rate of cell loss with new cell formation. Some cells multiply out of control, and they may divide too rapidly and grow without any order. This uncontrolled growth may grow into a lump called a tumour.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treating CancerThe treatment recommended depends on factors like age, health, type, origin, severity and stage of cancer. Sometimes a combination of treatments may be used to adequately control the cancer. With the advantages of our comprehensive and multidisciplinary care, we often combine different types of treatment to optimise results. Even when a surgery is successful, small cancer cells may still escape from the primary tumour through the blood and settle elsewhere in the other organs. These are “micro-metastases” that cannot be detected by conventional radiology scans. Post-surgery chemotherapy, which is injected into the veins and circulates within the body, is used to eradicate these cancer cells. While normal healthy cells are also destroyed in the process, this is not permanent. Healthy cells will recover if the proper schedule of chemotherapy administration is adhered to.

What Is Cancer

2008-07-14T08:29:00.001-07:00

What is Cancer?

Humans are made up of cells. Within the cell are genes which direct and control all the cell's functions and determine how and when it divides and grows. Normal cells divide and grow at a controlled rate. How fast or slow a cell divides and grows, and what function it does, depends on the gene within that cell. Cancer begins as a change in the gene of a single normal cell in any part of the body. Once this change takes place, the set of instructions in the gene is changed and the cell no longer acts like it normally does. "Cancer" is actually due to the accumulation of many such errors.Other than the word cancer, several other terms are sometimes used to describe the type of cancer that arises from different tissues in the body.
Tumour - lump or growth usually from the primary or original site.
Neoplasia - commonly known as cancer.
Carcinoma - cancer that originates from epithelial tissues.
Sarcoma - cancer that originates from connective tissues such as muscles.
Leukaemia and Lymphoma - cancers that arise from blood and lymphatic cells.A malignant tumour has the ability to spread from its original site into surrounding tissues and to other parts of the body. When that happens, the area where the cancer has invaded will have the same kind of abnormal cell and the same name as the original cancer. For example, if lung cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are still lung cancer cells. This condition is called metastatic lung cancer. It is not liver cancer.
A benign (non-cancerous) tumour does not spread or invade other parts of the body.

Cataract and intraocular lens implantation surgery

2008-07-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Cataract and intraocular lens implantation surgery continues to be the most common operation performed in SNEC . The specialists in the Singapore National Eye Centre perform about 8000 cataract operations a year.
Our specialists are available for consultation in the following areas:
cataract and lens implantation surgery
secondary cataracts
traumatic cataracts
congenital cataracts
endocapsular rings
secondary lens implantation
subluxated implants
aniridia
Cataract surgery is carried out as a day / ambulatory procedure. We have a comfortable dayward managed by a team of friendly and experienced nurses to make your experience here satisfying.
Our Singapore National Eye Centre has a pool of expertise and the state-of-the-art microscopes / machines / instruments to perform no stitch small incision phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia with refractive correction.
A wide range of intraocular lenses that include Foldable IOL, Multifocal IOL, Accommodative IOL and Microincision IOL are available for implantation following cataract surgery to cater to the individual needs of our patients.

The SNEC ophthalmic technicians provide special services and testing that include:
Ultrasonography
Applanation ultrasound Biometry
Immersion ultrasound Biometry
IOL Master non contact Biometry
Computerised cornea topography
Contrast Sensitivity

In SNEC, all cataract surgeries are monitored and recorded. Strict quality assurance auditing for surgical problems and outcomes ensures that good standards of practice are maintained.

The Corneal and External Eye Disease Service

2008-07-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

The Corneal and External Eye Disease Service delivers medical and surgical care to a wide variety of corneal, external eye disease and anterior segment eye disorders. The Service is managed by a team of trained corneal subspecialist ophthalmologists who provide tertiary referral support and consultative advice to the centre. The Service includes the following clinics and surgical facilities:
Corneal and External Eye Disease Clinics
Pterygium
Infections
Corneal Trauma
Keratoconus
Other Important Conditions
Corneal and Ocular Surface Transplantation
Corneal Transplantation
Stem Cell Transplants
Tooth-in-eye Surgery

SNEC Glaucoma Service

2008-07-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Our Glaucoma Consultants manage over 17,000 glaucoma attendances annually.
We are also actively involved in local, regional and international research and drug trials.
Our expertise includes:
Glaucoma Diagnostics
Glaucoma Therapeutics
Laser and Surgical Glaucoma Management
Pediatric Glaucomas
Glaucoma Patient Support Group

Back to main page

Glaucoma Diagnostics
Our Diagnostics Centre has some of the latest equipment for the early detection of glaucoma.
These include:
Humphrey’s Visual Field Analyzer
Stereoscopic Optic Disc Photography
GDx Nerve Fibre Analyzer Mk III
Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph
Optical Coherence Tomography
Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

Neuro-Ophthalmology Service

2008-07-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Neuro-Ophthalmology service provides evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with ophthalmic disorders that are related to the nervous system. Typical symptoms of such disorders are blurring of vision and double vision.
Conditions managed include
Optic nerve disorders from acquired and inherited causes
Diseases affecting the visual pathway, such as strokes or brain tumours
Eye movement disorders due to cranial nerve palsies, muscle problems or myopathies, neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, as well as jerky eve movement conditions or nystagmus
Ocular complications arising from other disorders affecting the brain such as inflammation and blood vessel abnormalities
Muscle spasms affecting the eyes and face such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
Diagnostic problems of unexplained visual loss. A full range of electrophysiologic testing (Multifocal, pattern and full field ERG, flash pattern and multifocal VEP)allows differentiation between retinal and optic nerve disorders as well as assists in locating the site of pathology along the visual pathway

Immunology Service & Ocular Inflammation

2008-07-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Service provides investigations, diagnosis and management of a wide range of uveitic and ocular immunological disorders.

These ocular inflammatory conditions result in significant ocular morbidity and are estimated to account for 5-15% of blindness. Common ocular inflammations seen at our service include:
HLA-B27 related anterior uveitis
Fuch's Heterochromic iridocyclitis Posner Schlossman Syndrome
Intermediate uveitis
Behcet's disease
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome
Ocular infections such as acute and chronic endophthalmitis
Toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis
Tuberculosis uveitis
Ocular malignancies such as ocular lymphoma

The Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Service is a tertiary service.
We receive referrals from local and regional Ophthalmologists. The service sees about 5000 clinical attendance annually.

Our service provides advanced diagnostic and therapeutic options including:
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for microbes
HLA phenotyping
Radiological and angiograpghic investigations
A wide range of blood biochemistry, immunology and serology investigations

The service is also committed to training and education. We provide medical undergraduate, residency and advanced training in Uveitis and Ocular Immunology. Local and Foreign Uveitis and Ocular Immunology clinical and research fellow positions are offered on a regular basis.

Oculoplastic Service Singapore

2008-07-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

Oculoplastics is a discipline in Ophthalmology that deals with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in disorders of the Eyelids, Orbit and Lacrimal System. Our team of consultants received training in the sub-specialty of Oculoplastic Surgery either in the United Kingdom, Australia or North America. Together, we perform over 700 oculoplastic procedures annually. Our aim is to provide the highest standard of care for all patients with these disorders. As such, all procedures performed are subject to annual audit and critical review by our peers in other sub-specialty fields.
In 2000, we recognized the increasing demand for aesthetic surgery not only with regards to blepharoplasty but also other cosmetic procedures such as endoscopic or small-incision brow-lifts and mid-face lifts. These plastic procedures are increasingly being performed by oculoplastic surgeons worldwide as aging individuals look for ways to rejuvenate their appearance. The Aesthetic Eyeplastic Service was therefore set up to cater to this demand.
As a group, our services include:
Eyelid Surgery - to correct lid disorders such as drooping eyelids (ptosis), eyelid malpositions (eg entropion) and eyelid tumours.
Aesthetic Surgery – including blepharoplasty, endoscopic browlift, mid-face lift and the use of botulinum and filler materials.

Lacrimal Surgery – to deal with lacrimal gland disorders and blocked nasolacrimal duct (tearing disorder).
Orbital Surgery – to manage orbital tumours as well as inflammatory and vascular disorders.
Comprehensive management of Thyroid Eye Disease – providing both medical and surgical care as well as a patient support group to deal with different aspects of this disorder.
Both our Oculoplastic and Aesthetic Eyeplastic Services are committed to research, particularly in the area of Thyroid Eye Disease. We are currently conducting a randomised clinical trial to compare treatment efficacy between two different drug regimes in patients with active thyroid eye disease.

SNEC Paediatric Ophthalmology And Strabismus

2008-07-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Paediatric and Strabismus Unit at the Singapore National Eye Centre, sees a variety of childhood eye diseases, and adult strabismus (or squints).
This includes:
Recurrent red, itchy, painful, watery eyes
Refractive errors - Hyperopia (long-sightedness), myopia (short-sightedness) and Astigmatism
Children with amblyopia (lazy eyes)
Children with poor vision from other causes- eg. cataract, glaucoma, retinal, optic nerve, or other medical problems
Children and Adults with strabismus (Squints)

SNEC Refractive Surgery Service LASIK surgery

2008-07-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Singapore National Eye Centre provides high quality refractive surgery such as LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) to local and foreign clientele.

Since its inception in 1992, it has performed numerous refractive surgical procedures. Today it enjoys a very high volume practice, one of the highest in Singapore. This high volume enables us to have better economies of scale and allows us to offer a very competitive LASIK price to our patients.
Quality assurance is a hallmark of this Singlasik Centre, with every one of its surgical cases monitored and audited to ensure optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction. The team of refractive surgeons undergoes strict accreditation and re-accreditation annually to maintain their currency and expertise. Also instrumental in its success is the availability of wide range of equipment such as wavefront-guided LASIK, LADARVision 4000 laser, Zyoptix Z100 laser system with iris recognition wavefront technology as well as femtosecond lasers.
A dedicated team of nursing and support staff, comprising of medical technologists, optometrists and counselors, work in close synchrony making this one of the most successful refractive surgery practices in the world.
It also enjoys a privileged position as a training centre for refractive surgery procedures. In addition, it is also a tertiary referral centre for complex refractive surgical cases from around the world.
Contact us to find out why SNEC is the place you should have your LASIK surgery.

SNEC Vitreo-Retinal Service

2008-07-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Vitreo-Retinal Service provides diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina, vitreous and choroid. Commonly encountered conditions include retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal problems related to myopia, retinal vascular occlusion, ocular trauma, ocular infections, retinitis pigmentosa and other heredofamilial retinal conditions.

Surgical Retina
Over 500 vitreoretinal surgeries are performed annually in the Centre. Among them, retinal detachment is the most commonly encountered sight-threatening condition requiring surgery.
We have the capabilities to treat retinal detachment, using various treatment techniques, including the traditional scleral buckle to pneumatic retinopexy and primary vitrectomy.
We also manage complex retinal conditions including proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) management, giant retinal tears, etc. Our surgical armamentarium includes intraoperative laser, microsurgical wide-field viewing capabilities, the use of various intraocular tamponade agents, including long-acting gases like perfluoropropane and silicone oil and the use of "heavy liquids".
We also provide diagnostic and therapeutic options for the management of complex diabetic eye disease, including vitreoretinal surgical techniques for diabetic vitrectomies.
Other surgical vitreoretinal capabilities includes macular surgery, for the peeling of epiretinal membranes and macular hole surgery.
In ocular trauma, we manage complex posterior segment trauma, including intraocular foreign body management, and the treatment of penetrating and perforating eye injuries, including the use of temporary keratoprosthesis for complex anterior and posterior segment injuries. We also co-manage complex glaucoma problems, including the placement of setons into the vitreous cavity via the pars plana, with our glaucoma faculty.
Electrophysiology
Electrophysiologic tests such as electroretinography (ERG), multifocal ERG, electrooculograply (EOG), visual evoked potential (VEP), are an integral part of managing patients with retinal disorders and Neuro-Ophthalmological conditions with unexplained visual loss. Our faculty has been pioneers in development of international standard electrophysiology lab in Singapore .
Diabetic Retinopathy Service
The SNEC Diabetic Retinopathy Service consists of teams of eye surgeons led by retinal specialists dedicated to the care of patients with diabetic retinopathy. They are involved in the assessment, health education and management of diabetic retinopathy. The Centre is also involved in a collaborative effort with Primary Healthcare Polyclinic services in the screening of diabetic retinopathy using fundal photography.

Laser photocoagulation is the main mode of treatment for diabetic retinopathy. In certain situations, vitreous surgery may also be required.

SNEC Corneal Service

2008-07-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

SNEC Corneal Service
The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped tissue covering the front of the eye. It is a powerful refracting surface and provides about 2/3 of the eye's focusing power. It gives us a clear window to look through and is important for good vision.

The Corneal and External Eye Disease Service delivers medical and surgical care to a wide variety of corneal, external eye disease and anterior segment eye disorders. The Service is managed by a team of trained corneal subspecialist ophthalmologists who provide tertiary referral support and consultative advice to the centre. The Service includes the following clinics and surgical facilities:
Corneal and External Eye Disease Clinics
Pterygium
Infections
Corneal Trauma
Keratoconus
Other Important Conditions
Corneal and Ocular Surface Transplantation
Corneal Transplantation
Stem Cell Transplants
Tooth-in-eye Surgery
Program Medical Contact Lens Service