Advanced optometry training with a broad clinical perspective

Jaycob's optometry education spans Singapore, the United States and Australia. He holds a Master's degree in Clinical Optometry and has continued to develop his clinical interests through further education, professional involvement and clinical practice.

His approach to optometry goes beyond correcting blurred vision. Jaycob places emphasis on understanding each patient's visual needs, assessing relevant aspects of eye health and monitoring changes in vision over time.

Where findings require medical or surgical attention, appropriate referral or co-management with ophthalmologists forms part of the care pathway.

Myopia management and monitoring

Childhood myopia is one of Jaycob's main clinical interests. His work includes assessing myopia progression, discussing appropriate management options with parents and monitoring children undergoing myopia-control management.

Jaycob has undertaken further education in evidence-based myopia management through the University of New South Wales, alongside his advanced training in Orthokeratology and myopia control.

At EMME Visioncare, a childhood myopia assessment considers more than a child's spectacle prescription alone. Clinical assessment may include refractive error, progression history, age, eye health, axial length and other relevant findings.

Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K, uses specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the front surface of the cornea.

For suitable patients, this can provide clear daytime vision without conventional spectacles or daytime contact lenses.

For children with myopia, Ortho-K may also form part of a myopia-control strategy.

Suitability requires more than prescription alone. Corneal shape, refractive error, eye health, tear film, lens handling, hygiene and the patient's ability to follow the required wearing and care routine all need to be considered.

Jaycob's approach to Ortho-K assessment and fitting includes careful lens selection, education on safe handling and hygiene, and regular follow-up to assess vision, lens fit and corneal health.

For children undergoing myopia management, progression is also monitored over time so that the management plan can be reviewed where appropriate.

Individualised contact-lens fitting

In addition to Ortho-K, Jaycob has a strong interest in speciality contact-lens fitting.

His professional development has included advanced training in rigid and speciality lens designs, as well as experience mentoring other optometrists in speciality contact-lens fitting.

Speciality lenses may require a more detailed assessment than conventional soft contact lenses because corneal shape, prescription, ocular surface health, visual requirements and previous contact-lens experience can all influence the fitting approach.

Jaycob's clinical interests extend beyond myopia and contact lenses to paediatric optometry, low vision and geriatric eye care.

During a comprehensive eye examination, the aim is not only to determine whether a spectacle or contact-lens prescription has changed, but also to assess relevant aspects of visual function and eye health.

Findings are discussed in the context of the patient's individual needs, with vision correction, monitoring, referral or co-management recommended where appropriate.

This reflects EMME Visioncare's approach to primary eye care: understanding the person behind the prescription and helping patients make informed decisions about their vision and eye health.

Learn about comprehensive eye examinations at EMME

Alongside clinical practice, Jaycob has been involved in optometric education and the professional development of other eye-care practitioners.

His experience includes work as an Associate Lecturer and mentoring optometrists in speciality contact-lens fitting.

He continues to take an active interest in clinical education and in applying current evidence to everyday optometric practice, particularly in childhood myopia management, Orthokeratology and speciality contact lenses.

Jaycob contributed a clinical case report published by the Singapore Optometric Association, discussing the use of toric Ortho-K in a young child with high myopia.

The report covers corneal topography, lens fitting and follow-up, axial-length monitoring, safety considerations and the limitations of interpreting an individual clinical case.

This professional contribution reflects Jaycob's clinical interests in childhood myopia management, Orthokeratology and the careful monitoring required when managing myopia in growing children.