Ask Eyebirami

04/06/2026

Away for the week!

28/05/2026

When we operate around the eye, the stitches (sutures) we use are incredibly fine. It is far thinner than most people imagine.

A human hair is roughly 0.18 mm wide.
Some eye sutures are several times thinner than a strand of hair!

Why so delicate?
Because the skin around the eyes is extremely thin, sensitive, and cosmetically important.

Using ultra-fine sutures helps:
✔ Minimise scarring
✔ Preserve the natural eyelid contour
✔ Reduce irritation and discomfort
✔ Allow more precise wound healing
✔ Maintain the natural appearance and function of the eye

In eye surgery and eyelid repair, every millimeter matters to the outcome. Tiny instruments, microscopic precision, and ultra-fine sutures all work together to help wounds heal as gently and invisibly as possible.

This is why ophthalmic and oculoplastic procedures often require specialised microsurgical techniques. Because even the smallest detail can affect vision, comfort, and appearance. Also, the skin around the eye is thinner than most other areas in our body. So, size of suture matters when we're closing up wounds around/on the eye.

22/05/2026

Ophthalmologists ... unite!

In most cataract surgeries, we perform cataract surgery while the patient is fully awake. Patient is given local anaesthesia and they almost never feel any pain (I speak for my patients, lol).

Would you undergo an eye operation while being fully awake?

22/05/2026

Attended Legacy in Vision 2026 last weekend. Organised by bringing together great minds to speak on approach to DME/AMD/RVO, and, my-favourite, on ROP treatment. It was a lovely and warm crowd, alongside inspiring speakers.

I was more pleasantly surprised to meet (AIMST Alumni), Dr Ayesha (cousin of a primary school friend!), Dr Hafizah (who came to say hi to me "i know you!") and lastly, my MMed supervisor - Dr Adil! He's the same and still has the same sense of humour. Forever grateful for his motivation and encouragement throughout my training period.

Till next meet!

18/05/2026

It is to help people understand the important difference between a supplement and a proven medical treatment. This article was never written to attack anyone personally. It was written as a cautionary message for the public.

In today’s world, many products are marketed with strong claims that can easily confuse patients, especially when phrases like “KKM approved” are used without proper context. Approval for sale does not automatically mean a product is scientifically proven to treat eye diseases.

As doctors, our responsibility is not only to treat disease, but also to educate, clarify misconceptions, and protect patients from delayed or missed treatment due to misinformation.

Healthy discussion is always welcome. But ultimately, the focus should remain on patient safety, evidence-based care, and making informed decisions with the right medical guidance.

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Malay version:

Artikel ini bukan ditulis untuk menyerang sesiapa secara peribadi. Ia ditulis sebagai satu mesej peringatan dan kesedaran kepada masyarakat — supaya orang ramai memahami perbezaan penting antara suplemen dan rawatan perubatan yang terbukti berkesan.

Pada zaman sekarang, terlalu banyak produk dipasarkan dengan pelbagai dakwaan yang boleh mengelirukan pesakit, terutamanya apabila istilah seperti “ada kelulusan KKM” digunakan tanpa penerangan yang betul. Kelulusan untuk dijual tidak semestinya bermaksud produk tersebut terbukti secara saintifik mampu merawat penyakit mata.

Sebagai doktor, tanggungjawab kami bukan sekadar merawat penyakit, tetapi juga mendidik masyarakat, memperbetulkan salah faham, dan melindungi pesakit daripada kelewatan mendapatkan rawatan sebenar akibat maklumat yang mengelirukan.

Perbincangan yang sihat sentiasa dialu-alukan. Namun pada akhirnya, fokus utama haruslah terhadap keselamatan pesakit, rawatan berasaskan bukti saintifik, dan membuat keputusan dengan panduan perubatan yang betul.

Dalam era digital hari ini, nasihat kesihatan hanya di hujung jari. Daripada media sosial hingga ke platform jualan dalam talian, pelbagai produk menawarkan penyelesaian cepat untuk pelbagai masalah kesihatan seperti penglihatan.

https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2026/05/ancaman-senyap-terhadap-penglihatan/

16/05/2026

Does our healthcare system for the majority of public need repetitive wake-up call? What else needs to be sacrifice before a total collapse? Although in this article I only voiced out about doctors, the rest of the healthcare workers are breaking internally trying to upkeep a strong front.

Doctors leave the public healthcare system mostly because their sacrifices are not appreciated, yet they are accused of prioritising money over service.

15/05/2026

👁️ OPHTHALMOLOGIST vs OPTOMETRIST vs OPTICIAN 👓
Many people still confuse these three professions but they actually play very different roles in eye care. I know it does not help that they all start with the letter "O" and at times, tend to even become a tongue-twister for some. Haha.

✅ OPTOMETRIST
An Optometrist is an eye care provider who performs vision tests, checks your glasses power, detects vision problems and prescribes glasses or contact lenses. They also perform basic eye health screenings and refer patients to an Ophthalmologist when medical or surgical treatment is needed.

✅ OPHTHALMOLOGIST
An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor and eye surgeon specialising in eye diseases and surgery. They diagnose and treat conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, eye infections and diabetic eye disease. They can prescribe medications, perform laser treatments, give eye injections and carry out eye surgeries.

✅ OPTICIAN
An Optician helps prepare and fit glasses based on prescriptions given by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. They assist with frame selection, lens fitting and ensuring your eyewear fits comfortably and correctly.

📌 In simple terms:

👓 Optometrist = Vision testing & prescribing glasses
👨‍⚕️ Ophthalmologist = Medical & surgical eye specialist
🕶️ Optician = Eyewear fitting & dispensing

Three different professions.
One common goal which is to protect your vision and eye health ❤️

Understanding the different roles in eye care helps patients receive the right care at the right time.

Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians each play an important role in maintaining eye health and vision care — working together to serve the community better.

The Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology (MSO) is committed to promoting public awareness and protecting safe, evidence-based eye care for all Malaysians.