Should I see an ophthalmologist or an optometrist?

An optometrist checks vision and prescribes glasses or contact lenses. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease and performs surgery. For conditions like cataracts or glaucoma, see an ophthalmologist.

Is cataract or glaucoma treatment claimable?

Medically necessary eye surgery such as cataract surgery is often partially claimable via MediSave and insurance. Confirm with the clinic and your insurer.

How do I verify an eye specialist's credentials?

Check the doctor is registered with the Singapore Medical Council and listed on the Register of Specialists in ophthalmology.

Best Eye Clinics & Ophthalmologists in Singapore

Ophthalmologists manage eye health and vision — cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease and more. Experience and modern diagnostics matter, especially for surgery. Here are eye specialist clinics we rate in Singapore.

How we chose

This is an editorial shortlist, not paid placement. We prioritise providers accredited by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and listed on the Specialist Register where applicable, with relevant experience, genuine patient feedback and transparency about who treats you. We don’t publish a clinic’s rating or price unless we can verify it from a reliable source.

At a glance

Clinic	Lead doctor	Known for	Area
Steve Seah Eye Centre	Dr Steve Seah	Cataract, glaucoma	—
Dr Leo Adult & Paediatric Eye Specialist	Dr Leo Seo Wei	Adult & paediatric eye care	Orchard
International Eye Clinic	Dr Currie Chiang	Cornea, glaucoma, cataract	Orchard
Asia Pacific Eye Centre	Experienced ophthalmology team	Glaucoma (MIGS), cataract, LASIK	—
Eye & Retina Surgeons	13 ophthalmologists	Sub-specialty eye & glaucoma surgery	—
JL Eye Specialists	Dr Jimmy Lim	Cataract, refractive, cornea	—

The clinics, in detail

1. Steve Seah Eye Centre

Led by Dr Steve Seah, an established ophthalmologist with over 30 years of practice, experienced in cataract and glaucoma care. He has served as President of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology and Head of the Glaucoma Service at the Singapore National Eye Centre. Official site. Source.

2. Dr Leo Adult & Paediatric Eye Specialist

Led by Dr Leo Seo Wei, a senior consultant ophthalmologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience, based at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, covering adult and paediatric eye conditions. Source.

3. International Eye Clinic

At Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, led by Dr Currie Chiang with over 28 years of private practice experience. Trained in ophthalmology at Singapore General Hospital and in London and Scotland, including corneal and glaucoma work. Source.

4. Asia Pacific Eye Centre

Based at Gleneagles Hospital, with a team that has performed over 30,000 procedures since 2007. Among the first in Singapore to offer Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), with fellowship-trained surgeons in glaucoma and cataract. Official site. Source.

5. Eye & Retina Surgeons

A specialist eye practice bringing together 13 established ophthalmologists, offering sub-specialty services including a dedicated Eye & Glaucoma Surgeons group. Official site. Source.

6. JL Eye Specialists

Led by Dr Jimmy Lim, a senior consultant ophthalmologist experienced in cataract surgery, refractive procedures and corneal care. Official site. Source.

Prices and patient ratings are being independently verified and will be added as we confirm them. This guide is general information, not medical advice — always confirm a provider’s MOH accreditation and current fees directly.

Treatment & cost guides

Cataract surgery in Singapore: cost & process

Eye condition guides

What an ophthalmologist treats and when to see one

An ophthalmologist is a medically qualified eye specialist who diagnoses and treats eye disease and performs eye surgery. Common reasons to see one include cataracts, glaucoma, retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, dry eye, and sudden changes in vision. Seek urgent assessment for sudden vision loss, a curtain or shadow across your sight, new floaters or flashes, eye pain with redness, or double vision, as these can signal serious problems.

How to choose an eye clinic in Singapore

Confirm the doctor is registered with the Singapore Medical Council and listed on the Register of Specialists in Ophthalmology.
Match the subspecialty to your condition, for example cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma, cornea, retina or paediatric eye care.
Ask about surgical experience and access to modern diagnostics such as imaging of the retina and optic nerve.
Check hospital affiliation and where any surgery would be performed.

Public versus private eye care

Public eye services and the national specialist centre offer subsidised care and a full range of subspecialties, usually via referral and with longer waits. Private clinics offer continuity with a chosen surgeon and shorter waiting times at higher fees. A GP or polyclinic referral can direct you to subsidised specialist care where appropriate.

Costs and financing

For medically necessary eye conditions, MediSave may help offset approved day-surgery and inpatient procedures, such as cataract surgery, within set limits, and MediShield Life can apply to larger hospital bills. Subsidies depend on your eligibility and the care setting. Elective refractive surgery and purely cosmetic procedures are not claimable. Confirm current fees and what is claimable directly with the clinic.

Questions to ask

What is my diagnosis, and how urgent is treatment?
What are my options, and what are the risks and benefits of each?
Who will perform any surgery, and where?
What follow-up and recovery should I expect?

Common questions

Is cataract surgery claimable under MediSave?

Cataract surgery is generally medically necessary and may be partly covered by MediSave and MediShield Life within set limits. Confirm the specifics and your eligibility with the clinic.

Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist?

Not for a private clinic. A referral is generally needed to access subsidised specialist care in the public system.

How often should I have my eyes checked?

Adults with risk factors such as diabetes, high myopia, glaucoma or a family history of eye disease should have regular reviews as advised by their doctor, even without symptoms.

This is an independent editorial selection, not a paid listing. See how we research and choose clinics in our editorial policy & methodology.

Children’s & general eye health guides

In-depth guides to help you understand symptoms, treatment and costs in Singapore:

Find a eye specialist

Prefer a named specialist over a clinic? See our independent, sub-specialty-grouped directory of eye specialists (ophthalmologists) in Singapore.

Part of our Eye & vision guides · Browse all health topics

Listed here, or want to be? If you are a doctor or clinic featured on this page and would like your entry corrected, updated or removed — or you would like to be added or featured — please reach out to us or use our contact form.