Dr Desmond Quek is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist and Director of Glaucoma Services at Eagle Eye Centre. He completed sub-specialty glaucoma fellowship training at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), where he previously held several leadership roles. His clinical focus is the medical and surgical management of glaucoma alongside cataract surgery.
Clinical focus
Glaucoma & cataract surgery.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, MMed (Ophthalmology), FRCS (Ed), FAMS, MBA (INSEAD).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Eagle Eye Centre (see our clinic listing) — Multiple locations (incl. Novena / Orchard)
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Eagle Eye Centre; formerly SNEC (glaucoma fellowship and leadership roles)
Getting to the clinic
Dr Desmond Quek practises at Eagle Eye Centre, which has several locations in Singapore, including branches in the Novena and Orchard areas. As the centre is multi-site, confirm which branch your appointment is at when booking. Novena-area clinics are served by Novena MRT (NS20), while Orchard-area clinics are reached via Orchard MRT (NS22/TE14); the relevant medical building is a short walk or taxi ride from the station.
- By MRT: Novena (NS20) for Novena-area branches; Orchard (NS22/TE14) for Orchard-area branches.
- By bus: both precincts are served by numerous bus routes along their main roads; check the nearest stop.
- By car or taxi: taxi and ride-hailing drop-off is available, and the host medical buildings have paid visitor carparks.
Confirm the exact branch, level and unit when you book, and allow time to register, particularly if eye-pressure tests, imaging or dilating drops are planned.
What glaucoma & cataract care covers
Dr Quek’s focus is the medical and surgical management of glaucoma alongside cataract surgery. Glaucoma is a group of conditions in which the optic nerve is progressively damaged, often associated with raised pressure inside the eye. It usually develops silently, without early symptoms, which is why detection and monitoring are central to care. Treatment aims to lower eye pressure and preserve vision, using eye drops, laser procedures or surgery depending on the type and severity.
Cataract — clouding of the eye’s natural lens — commonly affects older adults and causes gradual blurring, glare and dimming of vision, often making night driving and reading more difficult. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens, and the choice of lens is planned with measurements of the eye. Glaucoma and cataract often coexist, particularly in older patients, and in some cases the two can be addressed together in a combined operation. The emphasis throughout is on protecting long-term vision and stabilising eye pressure while restoring clarity where a cataract is the limiting factor.
What to expect at a consultation
A first visit covers your symptoms and history, including any family history of glaucoma, since this raises risk. Vision is measured and eye pressure is checked. The optic nerve and drainage angle of the eye are examined, and the eyes may be dilated to assess the lens and retina.
Glaucoma assessment typically includes specialised tests: visual field testing to map your peripheral vision, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure the optic nerve and nerve fibre layer, sometimes with photographs to compare over time. For cataract, the lens is examined and biometry measurements taken to plan surgery and select an intraocular lens if needed. The doctor then explains the findings and the options — drops, laser, surgery, or a combination — what each involves, and how progress will be monitored at future visits.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification and any GP, optometrist or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous eye records, including earlier visual field and OCT results if available.
- A current list of medications, eye drops and supplements.
- Your current glasses and details of any contact lenses.
- A written list of symptoms and questions, and notes on any family history of glaucoma.
Because dilating drops are often used, your vision will be blurred and light-sensitive for several hours, so arrange not to drive yourself home.
After your consultation and follow-up
You will usually leave with a clear plan: a prescription of drops, a date for laser or surgery, or a schedule of monitoring. Glaucoma is a long-term condition, so regular review with repeat pressure checks, visual field tests and scans is essential to track stability and adjust treatment. Reports can be provided for your records or your optometrist.
Keeping to follow-up appointments is particularly important in glaucoma, because lost vision cannot be recovered and the condition can progress without symptoms. You may seek a second opinion before major surgery. Seek urgent care for sudden severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision with halos around lights, nausea or rapid loss of vision, which can indicate acute glaucoma needing immediate treatment.
Booking, referrals and fees
As a private specialist, you can usually book without a formal referral, though a letter from your GP, optometrist or polyclinic may help and can support subsidies in a public setting. For eligible procedures such as cataract or glaucoma surgery, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while consultations are generally out of pocket. Confirm fees, estimates and insurance details with the clinic before proceeding.
Common questions
Why does glaucoma need lifelong monitoring?
Glaucoma can progress silently, and damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed. Regular checks of eye pressure, visual fields and the optic nerve allow treatment to be adjusted before vision is lost.
Can glaucoma and cataract be treated at the same time?
In some cases a combined approach is possible. The doctor will advise whether treating both together is appropriate for your eyes.
Will eye drops cure glaucoma?
Drops do not cure glaucoma but help lower eye pressure to slow or halt damage. Using them as prescribed and attending reviews is key to protecting vision.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
Not necessarily for a private consultation, but bringing any referral letter and previous test results helps the doctor assess your condition efficiently.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of eye specialists (ophthalmologists) in Singapore and our shortlist of eye clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
Don’t agree with this listing? If this is your profile and you’d like the details corrected, updated or removed — or you’d like to be featured — please reach out to us or use our contact form. We’ll sort it out quickly.