Professor Marcus Ang is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist and Head of both the Corneal & External Eye Disease Department and the Refractive Surgery Department at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). His clinical and research work focuses on corneal transplantation and refractive surgery. He is also an Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School.
Clinical focus
Cornea & external eye disease; refractive surgery.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, MMed (Ophthalmology), MCI, FRCS (Ed), FAMS, PhD.
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Singapore National Eye Centre (Corneal & External Eye Disease Department) (see our clinic listing) — Outram
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): SNEC (current); Duke-NUS
Getting to the clinic
Professor Marcus Ang practises at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), located within the SingHealth campus in Outram. The nearest station is Outram Park MRT (EW16/NE3/TE17), an interchange served by the East–West, North East and Thomson–East Coast Lines, which makes the campus accessible from across the island. From the station, follow the signs and sheltered walkways towards the medical campus and SNEC.
- By MRT: alight at Outram Park and follow campus signage to SNEC.
- By bus: multiple services stop along Outram Road and around the SGH campus; check the nearest stop for your route.
- By car or taxi: taxi and ride-hailing drop-off is available at the centre, and the campus has visitor carparks, though these can be busy at peak clinic times.
The campus is large, so allow time to find the correct building and clinic level, and arrive a little early for registration, especially for a first appointment.
What corneal & refractive eye care covers
Professor Ang’s clinical focus spans corneal and external eye disease together with refractive surgery. The corneal side deals with conditions affecting the clear front surface of the eye — keratoconus, corneal scarring, dystrophies, infections of the cornea, ocular surface and dry eye disorders, and pterygium — as well as corneal transplantation when the cornea is structurally damaged or clouded.
Refractive surgery, by contrast, aims to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses by reshaping the cornea or, in some cases, placing a lens inside the eye. This includes laser vision correction and related procedures for short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. The two areas overlap closely, because the health and shape of the cornea determine which refractive treatments are safe and suitable. Careful screening is therefore central to refractive care, ensuring that the eye is healthy enough for a procedure and that expectations are realistic.
What to expect at a consultation
A first consultation begins with your symptoms and goals — whether that is troublesome blurring and discomfort from a corneal problem, or a wish to reduce reliance on glasses. The doctor reviews your eye and general health history, contact-lens use and any previous surgery. Vision is measured and the eye is examined at the slit lamp.
For corneal and refractive assessment, detailed imaging is common: corneal topography and tomography map the surface and thickness of the cornea, and measurements of the eye help plan any procedure. The doctor then explains the findings, sets out the options — from drops and lenses to surgery — and discusses the benefits, limitations and recovery of each, so you can make an informed decision.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification and any referral letter from a GP, optometrist or polyclinic.
- Previous eye records, operation notes and any earlier corneal scans.
- A current list of medications, eye drops and supplements.
- Your current glasses, and details of your contact lenses; you may be asked to stop wearing lenses for a period before refractive imaging, so ask about this when booking.
- A written list of symptoms and questions.
If dilating drops are used, expect blurred and light-sensitive vision for a few hours, so plan not to drive yourself home.
After your consultation and follow-up
You will usually leave with a clear plan: a prescription or eye drops, advice, a review date, or arrangements for surgery and further tests. Corneal conditions may need ongoing monitoring, while refractive procedures involve scheduled checks during the healing period. Reports and results can be released for your records or for your optometrist.
Keeping follow-up appointments helps the doctor track healing and catch any issue early. For a significant decision such as a transplant or elective laser surgery, you are entitled to seek a second opinion. Seek urgent care if you experience sudden pain, a marked drop in vision, increasing redness with discharge, or any unexpected change after a procedure.
Booking, referrals and fees
SNEC is a public specialist centre, so a referral from a GP or polyclinic is commonly used and can support subsidised rates for eligible patients; private appointments may also be arranged. For eligible surgical procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while routine consultations are generally paid out of pocket, and elective refractive surgery is typically not subsidised. Confirm fees, subsidy eligibility and insurance details with the centre before proceeding.
Common questions
Am I suitable for laser vision correction?
Suitability depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, and overall eye health. Detailed imaging during the consultation determines whether a procedure is safe for you.
What is the difference between corneal and refractive treatment?
Corneal care treats disease of the front surface of the eye, while refractive surgery aims to reduce your need for glasses; the two are linked because corneal health affects refractive options.
Will I still need glasses after refractive surgery?
Many people reduce their dependence on glasses, but results vary, and reading glasses may still be needed with age. The doctor will set realistic expectations.
Do I need a referral to be seen at SNEC?
A GP or polyclinic referral is commonly used and can help with subsidies, though private appointments are also possible. Bring any previous records with you.
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.
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