What is Cataract Surgery?
Traditionally, cataract surgery was performed when the patient’s vision deteriorated in extremes.
However, Eye Surgeons now also consider slight changes to vision, such as loss of contrast sensitivity and loss of color perception.
You may notice that colours are faded and dull and that you have trouble seeing in low-contrast situations (e.g. at night).
These are early signs that the cataract is influencing your vision and you may want to consider surgical removal.
Cataract was removed only when mature in the past when cataracts had to be removed in one piece.
Now, Eye Surgeons use ultrasound and laser technology to break the cataract into smaller pieces for removal – this means it is better than the lens is softer (i.e. immature) to aid the fragmentation process.
In fact, the length of the patient’s surgery and recovery are both shorter if the cataract is immature when operated on.
Cataract surgery is not the least painful. Most patients describe a mild sensation of pressure around the eye.
In some cases, Eye Surgeons may use local anesthesia (administered via eye drops) or perform a small anesthetic block around the eye.
Alternatively, there is the option to offer patients a general anesthetic if they prefer to be asleep during the procedure or if there are other medical issues that need to be taken into account (e.g. patients with tremors who cannot lie flat for ten minutes).
Cataract Surgeon |
Dr Leo Adult & Paediatric Eye Surgery |
Specialty | Dr. Leo Seo Wei is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist who has extensive experience in cataract management & surgery in Singapore. She is also one of the few specialists in Singapore who are trained with the latest trifocal implant lens for cataract patients & bladeless cataract surgery, studied medicine at NUS. Services: Bladeless cataract surgery, laser cataract surgery, 3D imaging, vision correction, cataract removal |
Pricing | Request a quotation: info@drleoeyespecialist.com |
Website | https://www.singaporecataract.sg/ |
Address | #10-04 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | +65 6690 4507 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 5 pm |
Cataract Surgeon |
Asia Pacific Eye Centre |
Specialty | Dr. Lee Hung Ming was formerly the Head of LASIK surgery in 2 of Singapore’s premier hospitals — Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and National University Hospital (NUH). Unbeknownst to many, he decided to become an eye specialist after losing his grandmother to eye disease and blindness, clinched the ACE award. Services: Cataract Surgery, Lasik, i-Lasik, Lasik Extra, Lipiflow |
Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@asiapacificeyecentre.com.sg |
Website | https://www.asiapacificeyecentre.com.sg/ |
Address | 6A Napier Road Gleneagles Hospital, Hospital Block Level 3 Singapore 258500 |
Telephone | +65-6470 3366 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Weekdays) 8.30 am to 12.30 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgeon |
Eagle Eye Centre |
Specialty | Dr. Yong Shao Onn completed subspecialty training in both Surgical and Medical Vitreoretinal diseases in Singapore. His clinical interests are in vitreoretinal conditions like retinal detachments, vitreomacular interface disorders (macular holes, epiretinal membranes (ERM)), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusions (BRVO & CRVO), diabetic eye disease, and myopia control. Services: Cataract Surgery, Micro-Incision Vitrectomy Surgery (MIVS), Scleral Buckling, Laser surgery, LASIK |
Pricing | Request a quotation: retina.sg@gmail.com |
Website | http://singaporeretina.com/ |
Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road #08-22/23/24 Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | (+65) 9677 3141 |
Operating Hours | Monday –Friday: 9 am to 5 pm Saturday : 9am to 12pm |
Cataract Surgeon |
Eye Max Centre |
Specialty | Eye Max Centre is a comprehensive one-stop eye specialist center that provides high-quality and affordable eye care and treatment. It offers the latest and most advanced cutting-edge treatments for general and complex eye diseases. Eye Max Centre manages general eye diseases, cataracts, cornea diseases cornea transplantation, retinal disease treatment, etc. Services: Cataract surgery, Cataract Screening, Bladeless cataract surgery, Laser-assisted cataract surgery, artificial lenses |
Pricing | Request a quotation: manager@eyemax.sg |
Website | http://www.eyemax.sg/ |
Address | Eye Max Centre, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, 38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-42 Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | +65 6694-1000 |
Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Saturday: 8.30 am to 12.30 pm |
Cataract Surgeon |
Lang Eye Centre |
Specialty | Lang Eye Centre is a comprehensive one-stop eye specialist center for treating eye disease. Lang Eye Centre is committed to providing high-quality eye care and treatment and offers the latest and most advanced cutting-edge treatments to help patients get the best outcomes for their eye condition, treating eye ailments. Services: Cataract Screening, Cataract surgery, Lasik, Cornea transplant, Glaucoma treatment |
Pricing | Request a quotation: manager@langeye.sg |
Website | https://langeye.sg/ |
Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road, #08-46/47, Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | (+65) 6684 1000 |
Operating Hours | Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Saturday: 9:00am to 12:00noon |
Cataract Surgeon |
Asia Retina |
Specialty | Dr. Pang received extensive overseas exposure in the subspecialty fields of both Medical Retina and Vitreoretinal Surgery. She completed an 18-month fellowship at the renowned Vitreous-Retina-Macula Consultants of New York, Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital, New York, where she was trained by Dr. Lawrence Yannuzzi, an esteemed ophthalmic-retinal innovator. Services: Cataract surgery, Retinal detachment surgery, macular surgery, myopic disease, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy |
Pricing | Request a quotation: askme@drclaudinepang.com.sg |
Website | https://www.drclaudinepang.com.sg/ |
Address | #15-10 The Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238859 |
Telephone |
+65 6732 1741
|
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5 pm (Weekdays), 9 am to 12 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgeon |
LSC Eye Clinic |
Specialty | Dr. Marc Tay is the Senior Consultant, Ophthalmologist at LSC Eye Clinic, representing the eye cluster in Singapore Medical Group. He is an experienced ophthalmologist who has been practicing for 25 years. He has a keen interest in laser vision correction and has been doing laser refractive surgery for over 20 years. Services: Cataract Surgery, Lasik, Eye Screenings, Implantable Collamer Lenses, Glaucoma treatment |
Pricing | Request a quotation: contact@lsceye.sg |
Website | https://lsceye.sg/ |
Address | 290 Orchard Road, #16-01/02, Paragon Medical, Lift Lobby F |
Telephone | +65 6836 1000 |
Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday: 9am to 4pm |
Cataract Surgeon |
Eye Care Clinic |
Specialty | Eye Care Clinic was founded in 1993 by Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Tony Ho as a private specialist eye clinic to provide comprehensive, holistic, attentive eye care. The clinic is strategically located in the hub of Orchard Road at Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, open to patient visits from Singapore, Overseas. Services: Cataract Surgery, Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma treatment, Lasik, Lens implant |
Pricing | Request a quotation: octor@eyecare.com.sg |
Website | http://eyecare.com.sg/ |
Address | 3 Mt. Elizabeth Suite #03-08, Mt. Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510 |
Telephone | +65-6733 5188 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5pm |
Cataract Surgeon |
Steve Seah Eye Centre |
Specialty | Dr. Steve Seah is one of Singapore’s established eye surgeons who is trained in the latest techniques of phacoemulsification and these surgeries are mostly performed only under topical anesthesia employing the sutureless technique. He is trained to handle more complex cataract cases like small pupils, shallow anterior chambers, dislocated lenses. Services: Cataract Screening, Cataract surgery, Intra Ocular Lens, Laser Cataract Surgery, Lasik |
Pricing | Request a quotation: +65 6690 4073 |
Website | https://cataract.steveseaheyecentre.com/ |
Address | One Orchard Boulevard #16-01/02 Camden Medical Centre Singapore 248649 |
Telephone | +65 6690 4073 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5 pm (Weekdays) 9 am to 1 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgeon |
Eye & Glaucoma Surgeons |
Specialty | Dr. Daniel Su is a Partner and Senior Consultant at Eye & Retina Surgeons, Camden Medical Centre. He was previously Senior Consultant, Glaucoma Service, and Deputy Head, Training & Education Department at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). He attended Medical School at the National University of Singapore (NUS), studying Surgery. Services: Cataract surgery, peripheral laser iridotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, laser cyclo-photo-coagulation |
Pricing | Request a quotation: info@ers.clinic |
Website | https://www.egs.clinic/ |
Address | #13-03 Camden Medical 1 Orchard Boulevard Singapore 248649 |
Telephone | (+65) 6738 2000 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5 pm (Weekdays) 9 am to 1 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgery |
Adult & Child Eye (ACE) Clinic |
Specialty | Dr. Cheryl Ngo obtained her medical degree from The National University of Singapore and was the reserve Valedictorian and awarded the Singapore Medical Association Medal for MBBS and the Yeoh Khuan Joo Gold Medal for Surgery in 2005. She completed her specialist ophthalmology training, holds a Master of Medicine (Ophthalmology). Services: Cataract surgery, Glaucoma treatment, Floaters treatment, Macular degeneration treatment, IOLS |
Pricing | Request a quotation: +65 9672 1974 |
Website | http://adultchildeye.com/ |
Address | Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre 38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-43 Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | +65-6777 6058 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Weekdays) 8.30 am to 12.30 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgery |
Shinagawa Eye Centre |
Specialty | Shinagawa Eye Centre has a long history of helping people with eye problems in Singapore. We have a full range of eye care services with advanced diagnostic and surgical devices available at our eye clinic. Our senior specialist eye doctor (Dr. Lee Sao Bing) is experienced in treating eye conditions. Services: Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma treatment, Lasik, Eye screening, Macular degeneration treatment |
Pricing | Request a quotation: info@shinagawa.com.sg |
Website | https://shinagawa.com.sg/ |
Address | 501 Orchard Road #05-15 Wheelock Place Singapore 238880 |
Telephone | +65-6738 8222 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5.30 pm (Weekdays), 9 am to 5 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgeon |
Eye & Retina Surgeons |
Specialty | Dr. Ang Beng Chong is Founding Partner & Senior Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Eye & Retina Surgeons. In 1988, Dr. Ang was appointed the first Head of the Division of Vitreo-Retinal Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital. Dr Ang organized international, local conferences on microsurgery, lens implantation, vitreoretinal courses. Services: Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma Treatment, Macular degeneration treatment, Myopia control, Aesthetic enhancement |
Pricing | Request a quotation: info@ers.clinic |
Website | http://www.ers.clinic/ |
Address | #13-03 Camden Medical 1 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248649 |
Telephone | +65 6738 2000 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5 pm (Weekdays) 9 am to 12 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgeon |
Clearvision Eye Clinic & Lasik Centre |
Specialty | Clearvision Eye Clinic & LASIK Centre was founded in 2001 by Dr. Tony Ho as a private, dedicated LASIK center in Singapore. The center offers the laser vision correction procedure: cut-and-flap LASIK. Dr. Tony Ho is a respected figure in the Singapore refractive surgery arena with 25 years of experience. Services: Cataract surgery, Lasik, epi-Lasik, Corneal Cross-Linking, Presbyopia correction |
Pricing | Request a quotation: doctor@clearvision.com.sg |
Website | https://clearvision.com.sg/ |
Address | 6 Nutmeg Road, Nutmeg Court Singapore, 228337 |
Telephone | +65 6733 3316 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5 pm (Weekdays) 9 am to 1 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgery |
My EYE Specialist & Retina Surgeon |
Specialty | Loh Boon Kwang is Medical Director at his eye clinic, My Eye Specialist & Retina Surgeon. Earlier, Dr. Loh was a Consultant Eye Specialist at group practice Ophthalmic Consultants at Gleneagles Specialist Centre and Eye Surgeons@Novena at Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre. He was Consultant Ophthalmologist at National Eye Centre. Services: Cataract Surgery, Lasik, Laser Cataract Surgery, Retina Surgery, Glaucoma treatment |
Pricing | Request a quotation: enquiry@myeyespecialist.com.sg |
Website | https://myeyespecialist.com.sg/ |
Address | #10-42 Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road, S329563 |
Telephone | +65 6250 8421 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 5 pm (Weekdays) 8.30 am to 12.30 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgery |
Novena Bladeless Cataract Surgery |
Specialty | Dr. David Goh. B. Med. Sci (UK), MBBS (UK), MRCOphth (Lond), FRCOphth (Lond), Medical Director & Senior Consultant. Ophthalmologist. Dr. Goh is a compassionate and very efficient Cataract Surgeon. Cutting-edge technology in use. Dr. Goh is attentive to clarifications on eye conditions and the surgery, prioritizing patients’ welfare, concerns. Services: Cataract Surgery, Lasik, i-Lasik, Laser cataract surgery, Myopia control |
Pricing | Request a quotation: dr@drdavidgoh.com.sg |
Website | https://www.drdavidgoh.com.sg/ |
Address | 101 Irrawaddy Road, #19-01/02/03/07, Royal Square Medical Centre, Royal Square@Novena, Singapore 329565 |
Telephone | +65-6560 2220 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 6 pm (Weekdays) 8.30 to 1 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgery |
Natasha Lim Eye Center |
Specialty | Dr. Natasha Lim Eye Centre was founded by Dr. Natasha Lim in 2012, to provide quality care and advice for the windows to our soul “Our Eyes”. Dr. Lim graduated from the University of Nottingham Medical School in the United Kingdom (UK). She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Services: Bladeless Cataract surgery, Implantable Contact Lens, Lasik, i-Lasik, epi-Lasik |
Pricing | Request a quotation: dr@drnatashalim.com |
Website | https://www.drnatashalim.com/ |
Address | 101 Irrawaddy Rd, #19-01/02/03/07, Royal Square Medical Suites, Royal Square @ Novena, 329565 |
Telephone | +65-6570 2220 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 6 pm (Weekdays) 8.30 am to 1 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgery |
Total Eye Care Centre |
Specialty | The Clinic’s aim and philosophy are to provide the best possible Eye Care Service at a reasonable price. Total EyeCare Centre is focused mainly on the treatment of complex Retinal Diseases such as Retinal Detachments/Retinal Tears, Age-Related Macula Degeneration, Retinal Vein Occlusions, and Diabetic Retinopathy, cataract screening, and treatment. Services: Cataract screening, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, Lasik, Retinal surgery |
Pricing | Request a quotation: doctor@eyedoctors.com.sg |
Website | http://eyedoctors.com.sg/ |
Address | 1 Tras Link #02-09 Orchid Hotel Singapore 078867 |
Telephone | (+65) 6738 6868 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5.30 pm |
Cataract Surgeon |
Dr Cordelia Chan |
Specialty | Dr. Cordelia Chan is an ophthalmologist with two decades of experience in treating a variety of eye conditions. Her areas of specialization include Cataract Surgery with Intraocular Lens Implantation, LASIK, and other forms of Laser Vision Correction, Myopia, Presbyopia, Diseases of the Cornea, Cornea Transplantation, Allergic Eye Disease, Pterygium Surgery. Services: LASIK, Cataract Surgery, Laser Vision Correction, Intraocular Lens Implantation, Cornea Transplantation |
Pricing | Request a quotation: eyesurgeonsnovena@gmail.com |
Website | https://www.drcordeliachaneye.com/ |
Address | Eye Surgeons @ Novena, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre 38 Irrawaddy Road #09-28 Singapore 329563 |
Telephone | +65 6694 0400 |
Operating Hours | 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Weekdays) 8.30 am to 12.30 pm (Saturday) |
Cataract Surgeon |
The Eye Clinic |
Specialty | Dr. Cheryl Lee is an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon who has returned to Singapore with more than ten years of experience in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. Since then she has been inducted into the Straits Times Hall of Fame for her work and passion for ophthalmology. Services: Cataract screening, Cataract surgery, myopia treatment, Lasik, Presbyopia |
Pricing | Request a quotation: askme@theeyeclinic.com.sg |
Website | https://theeyeclinic.com.sg/ |
Address | 333A Orchard Road #04-24/25 Mandarin Gallery, 238897 |
Telephone | +65 6235 5833 |
Operating Hours | 9 am to 5.30 pm (Weekdays) or 9 am to 12.30 pm |
Post Cataract Surgery follow-up steps:
Pre-operative preparations for cataract surgery are only half the story, it is important to also understand and plan for the recovery process after surgery.
While diligence is required during post-cataract surgery recovery, the recovery time after surgery is nothing compared to the lifetime of good vision ahead of you.
And if you know what to expect after cataract surgery, you can minimize complications and speed up healing time. You may even qualify for “drop-less” cataract surgery, a new procedure that makes recovery.
One of the latest advancements in cataract surgery is drop-less surgery.
Typically, two or more eye drops are prescribed after surgery to protect your eye from infection and inflammation. These drops need to be used 3-4 times a day for 4 weeks.
With dropless cataract surgery, however, the necessary medications are placed inside your eye at the time of the procedure, eliminating the need for post-operative eye drops.
With dropless cataract surgery, there’s:
- No confusion about which drops to use, or when
- No struggling through arthritis pain to squeeze eye drop bottles
- No eye-drop related discomfort on the surface of your eye
- No worries about forgetting to use eye drops or using them incorrectly
- No pharmacy co-pays for post-op eye drops
Dropless cataract surgery is available to most patients considering traditional cataract surgery, except for people who have glaucoma, a history of a reaction to steroids, or a high risk of inflammation.
An eye surgeon can tell you more about the procedure and decide if you are a candidate for dropless cataract surgery even easier.
The recovery time for cataract surgery is short. Any soreness and discomfort should disappear within a couple of days.
However, depending on the nature and size of your cataracts, and your physiology and ability and heal, full recovery could take anything from four weeks to six weeks.
It’s important to follow all post-surgery care instructions and keep your follow-up visits with your doctor.
Recovery after cataract surgery is mostly a solo affair, but your eye doctor is still involved.
Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure your eye is healing properly. Regularly take the drops your doctor prescribes to you—unless you elect to have dropless cataract surgery performed instead.
Have your eye surgeon’s phone number handy and call if you notice:
- Your eyesight getting worse
- A change in your field of vision
- Increasing eye pain
- No reduction in redness or swelling
- Discharge from your eye
- Strange flashes of light in your vision
Treatment plans for Cataract Surgery in Singapore
A cataract is the most common cause of blindness in the world, and surgery is the only method to treat it.
With an Integrated Shield Plan and a full rider* that covers private hospitals, you may be fully covered for treatment at private clinics.
Integrated Shield Plans are on top of the basic MediShield Life plan, and provide additional coverage for Class B1 and Awards, even for private hospitals such as Mount Elizabeth.
A full rider completely covers all co-insurance and deductible components of the bill.
What this means is that with both an Integrated Shield Plan and a full rider, you will not have to pay cash for your cataract surgery as it will be fully covered.
If your full rider is purchased after 8 March 2018, you’ll still enjoy full coverage on co-insurance and deductible until 1 April 2021. After this date, a 5% co-payment will apply.
The average Cataract Surgery experience in Singapore
- Registration to discharge 3 hours
- Actual surgery 20 to 45 minutes
- Anaesthetic eye drops or injections will be given, so no pain will be felt during surgery.
- Medisave may be applied for subsidies.
Sample Costs of Cataract Surgery in Singapore
Depending on the private or public hospital, you will be charged from $1,300 to $4,000 per eye.
And if you are enrolling for a premium lens, you will need to cough up anywhere between $4,500 and $6,000.
However, keep in mind that final costs will also include hospital stay, eye surgeon’s fee, if necessary, pre and post-surgery visits.
Subsidies that patients can claim for Cataract Surgery in Singapore
Cataract surgery is a procedure that is subsidized through Medi-Save. Every Singaporean can claim up to $2450 for cataract surgery from Medi-Save.
If you have Medshield, depending on coverage, you could claim your cataract surgery cost.
Lastly, if you qualify for special government subsidies such as Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and Pioneer Generation Package, you will be able to receive further subsidies.
Cataract Surgery Bill Estimates in Singapore
The cataract refers to the clouding of the outer lens within each human eye, that impairs clear vision while making basic tasks difficult to carry out well. Usually, it grows gradually or is triggered slowly by causes that wear down ocular health, including aging, while injury or trauma inflicted upon the eyes, may lead to gradual onset of cataracts.
Cataracts trend as a major cause of blindness around the entire globe for adults that are around 40 years of age. These ocular afflictions must not get dismissed casually or carelessly, and may not get fully cured just using eye drops. Once you begin to observe sight deteriorating, you must proceed to the physician to check if cataracts are the cause. Frequent vision tests at Ministry of Health-approved clinics in Singapore or independent eye specialists are further recommended, particularly in case your age is close to the 40s, 50s, or above.
Cataract Surgery at Asia Retina
The procedure entails taking out cataracts, then substituting these using newly manufactured lens inserts (alternatively termed as Intraocular Lens, or IOL). Asia Retina holds stocks of the four types of IOL to grant patients a wide variety of options that deliver higher levels of comfort, medical relief, catering to a broad range of lifestyles.
- Monovision IOL
- Multifocal IOL
- Toric IOL (Prescribed for patients suffering from astigmatism)
Asia Retina employs Phaco style tests for cataract procedures, that take out cataracts utilizing ultrasound lasers beamed into minor, 2mm incisions.
Asia Retina provides all Bladed and Femtosecond laser-aided cataract surgical procedures to visiting patients, based on personal, varied medical needs. Dr. Claudine Pang will check in person, then make customized eye treatment recommendations. The surgery lasts for half an hour. Asia Retina seeks to fully sedate all patients for comfortable, optimized numbness. This implies one will remain anesthetized, numbed fully, to any activity going on inside the operating rooms.
Cataract removal surgery trends as a widely prevalent surgical procedure in contemporary, modern times. These are often day surgeries; so, one need not get hospitalized for the night. With many surgeries performed, recovery journeys are relatively painless or easy, but this does not imply one need not undertake post-surgery care, especially in the case of specific instructions, that were ordered, by the respective eye doctors.
Initially considered, one requires somebody to fetch and transport one home from the engaged hospital because one is cautioned against driving personally over the 1st day. One must also book, some extended leave, away from work. Most patients will have an easy post-surgery recovery, then seek to quickly resume their full workloads, or go about all daily work-related activity, in the office. But one is advised to recuperate at home, take some quality rest, prior to resuming regular work schedules, in full.
Cataract Surgery Costs, Charges in Singapore
One may pose certain queries to check, clarify total costs over a consultation visit. Patients’ hospitalization class status as Private Patients, or as Subsidized Patients, may make a difference to the final cumulative sums of hospital bills. Varying with specific public or private hospitals, one gets billed in the range of $1,300 to $4,000, per eye.
In the event that one seeks to insert some premium lens, one may have to pay up bills ranging from $4,500 to $6,000. Furthermore, take heed, note that finalized hospital bills may further factor hospital stays, eye surgeon’s bills, or whether there are any compulsory, pre-, and post-surgery checks, that are lined up. So, once you calculate final bills, try to factor all such costs into estimates.
Furthermore, surgery complications rarely emerge in most cases, however, individual bodies react very differently, thus surgeons may not always forecast bodily reactions with complete certainty, accuracy. In case severe complications take place, the surgery might extend over longer periods, thus piling on bills that accumulate fully.
Final bills are based on specific types of medical instruments used, or whether the need arises to consult more experts. No one doctor, one treatment package, may fully foresee/ determine the cumulative bill sums upfront, as there are no ways to forecast all potential complications that arise, over the surgery, or following the cataract procedure.
Tapping Medi-Save, one may potentially claim a maximum of $2,450 in deductibles from final surgery bills.
With Insurance, based on specific policies or Medi-Shield riders, one may possibly make claims, that cover all cumulative bills in full, that extends to, covers, pre-surgery or post-surgery consultations.
Can Medi-Save or Insurance be used to pay for Cataract Surgery Bills?
Cataract features as a prevalent eye disease in Singapore, while surgery remains the exclusive, working mode of treatment. Cataract surgery gets undertaken as a day surgery treatment, which implies one does not need to stay overnight in the hospital, after surgical procedures. The surgery often requires 30 minutes to perform.
Though categorized as a day surgery treatment, cataract surgery remains Medi-Save claimable, capped by the set surgical limits. To add, supposing one holds the Integrated Shield Plan, one may claim partially or fully, the cataract surgery bills, based upon the private insurance coverage, with all public or private hospitals.
Medi-Save: Maximum sums that are claimable, deductible, for cataract surgery procedures
Medi-Save refers to Singapore’s national health savings plan applicable to Singaporean citizens / Permanent Residents. As one works, some fractional proportions of your monthly earnings get deposited in Medi-Save Accounts, to pay future medical bills.
Considering cataract surgery claim limits, any Singaporean or Permanent Resident may claim up to $2450 per eye, from one’s Medi-Save accounts, or from a close kin’s Medi-Save Account. The steps for claiming Medi-Save deductibles are easy, requiring basic submission of paperwork completed immediately before commencing cataract surgery procedures.
Medi-Save for Cataract Surgery: How to Make Claims to Pay for Bills
1stly, eye clinics setting up cataract surgeries may require one to fill in the medical claims’ authorization forms. Upon completion, one must just submit payments for leftover bills (following deduction of all Medi-Save claimable portions), using a credit card or cash.
The remaining portions of necessary paperwork may get completed by clinic staff following cataract surgeries, that involve e-files being completed, to claim the deductibles from Medi-Save Accounts.
Integrated Shield Plan (IP) for cataract surgery: How to Make Claims
Integrated Shield Plans refer to insurance plans that one may opt for, so as to further supplement, or enhance one’s basic MediShield Life plan, which every Singaporean or PR holds. Varying with the version of Integrated Shield Plan, there could be further coverage for B1, A-class wards at government hospitals, possibly extending over to private hospitals.
Shield Coverage for Cataract Surgery Bills
In case one has purchased supplementary riders for one’s Integrated Shield Plan, varying according to rider plans, full claim limits will extend higher. For those holding full riders bought prior to 1 April 2019, one does not need to pay bills with one’s cash for surgical procedures*.
*If your full rider is bought following 8 March 2018 but before 1 April 2019, you then get full coverage on co-insurance or deductible sections of bills up till 1 April 2021. Following this time, a 5% co-payment applies generally. Any full riders retailed following 1 April 2019 fully contain at least 5% co-payment.
Integrated Shield Plan for cataract surgery: How to Make Claims
The procedures for tapping on Integrated Shield Plans are easy and may get done simultaneously with the necessary paperwork needed for tapping one’s Medi-Save to pay bills. Following this, one needs to complete the relevant medical claims authorization forms.
Then, one must submit deposit sums partially covering bills (the sums of deposit needed to vary according to versions of IP one holds) using a credit card or cash.
Also, remainders of necessary paperwork may get completed by eye clinics following your surgery, with which e-files then be registered for claiming bill deductibles over from one’s IP or Medi-Save cash reserves. If one’s insurance extends total coverage, deposit sums submitted initially, are then refunded over time.
Medi-Save & Integrated Shield Plan: Can one use both simultaneously, to pay bills for cataract surgeries?
One may tap on Medi-Save, reach set limits, for paying up all deductible or co-insurance portions that are covered fully by one’s insurance policy. Bill deductibles refer to the first set portions of the surgery bills which one must submit prior to claiming any coverage from one’s insurance (deductibles vary according to policy year). The deductible may range over $1,500-3,500, varying by scheme, class of ward.
Upon paying the deductible, one might then have to pay for Co-Insurance. Co-insurance refers to bills that one needs to split over with the insurer upon removing all deductibles from one’s surgery bill.
These often are consolidated in percentage form. To consider, supposing one holds the co-insurance of 10%, one then pays 10% of the surgery bills following deductibles subtracted, while the insurer pays the leftover 90%.
With people holding total Integrated Shield Plan Rider bought, this extends cover to co-insurance or deductibles.
Based on Singapore Doctor’s Directory guides, the median bills for a cataract surgery within 11 hospitals vary from $3,000 to $8,000.
Cataract Surgery Costs
Service | Fees |
Cataract assessment | $86 to $300 |
Cataract surgery (1 eye) | $3,000 to $10,000 |
Post-op medication | $100 to $300 |
Post-op review | $86 to $200 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Cataract Surgery Costs in Public Hospitals
Ward B2 | Ward C | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | |
Total Bill Amount | $1,190 | $1,420 | $1,342 |
Operation Fee | $716 | $711 | $810 |
Implant | $68 | $68 | $90 |
Other Fees | $392 | $577 | $176 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Cataract Diagnostics, Surgical Procedure Component Costs
Treatment | Pricing (SGD) |
Pre-op Measurement (Biometry) | From $350.00 |
Cataract surgery (Mono-Focal lens implant) | From $6,570.00 |
Removal of corneal/ conjunctival foreign body | From $120 – $150 |
Cornea collagen Cross-linking treatment for keratoconus (1 eye) | From $2300 |
Suture removal | From $80 – $180 |
Incision & Drainage of Chalazion | From $350 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Most eye clinics are often able to provide one with estimates for the final costs of each distinct cataract surgery, varying according to specific eye diseases treated, distinctive ocular medical needs, or individual budgets.
Final bills for surgeries upon 1 eye are often higher than ½ the bills of operating on 2 eyes. This owes mostly to the pricing of consumables, bookings of operating rooms, etc, applying, regardless of whether 1 or 2 eyes are being operated on.
One must then confirm whether pre-and post-operative eye checks get covered by the cataract surgery package costs fully, covering all surgery components, factors, charges.
Differences in cataract surgery bills: What brings about variations?
Overall variations in cost may be traced to these:
Cataract Assessment
Types of cataracts – The eye doctor undertakes diagnosis or supervision of basic or advanced cataracts that include:
- Aniridia
- Sub-luxated Implants
- Secondary Lens Implantation
- Secondary Cataracts
- Traumatic Cataracts
- Congenital Cataracts
- Endo Capsular Rings
- Cataract or Lens Implantation Surgery
Post-operative medicine – Cataract Surgery often lasts around 15 to 30 minutes per eye, which may get performed by a senior surgeon.
One may then have to rest for approximately 4 to 5 days. Make efforts to plan, well in advance.
Insurance or Medi-Save: Can these be used for cataract surgery payments?
One may conveniently make claims for cataract surgery bills with the use of Medisave. Maximum sums claimable, are up to $2,450, per eye.
One may claim either claim from one’s personal, spouse’s, or kid’s Medisave Accounts. Many Insurance Policies often extend coverage to cataract surgeries.
The sum claimable varies according to the specific coverage limits, extended by each distinct policy.
$86 Cataract Assessment Test at Atlas Eye Clinic
A complete eye test that covers:
- Pupil Dilation
- Visual Acuity Test
- Cataract Video or Counselling
- Consultations with Cataract Surgeon
- Manifest Refraction
- Eye Pressure Test
Cataract Surgery Costs in Public Hospitals
Hospital | Ward Type | Average Length of Stay | 25% of patients are charged below: | 50% of patients are charged below: | 75% of patients are charged below: |
Admiralty Medical Centre | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,037 | $1,046 | $1,052 |
AIH | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $951 | $953 | $989 |
Changi General Hospital | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,245 | $1,321 | $1,413 |
Jurong Medical Centre | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,022 | $1,043 | $1,071 |
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,052 | $1,057 | $1,100 |
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,175 | $1,223 | $1,306 |
National University Hospital | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $941 | $956 | $1,014 |
Singapore National Eye Centre | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,463 | $1,464 | $1,482 |
Tan Tock Seng Hospital | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | 1 | $1,029 | $1,059 | $1,112 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Breakdown of Cataract Diagnosis Costs |
Ophthalmologist Consultation (Doctor’s fees): $35 – $60 (PHS), $90 – $300 (PH), $90 – $300(PrH) |
Eye Tests |
Tonometry: $10 – $40 (PHS), $30 – $60 (PH), $40 – $60 (PrH) |
Biometry: $25 – $50 (PHS), $100 – $140 (PH), $100 – $250 (PrH) |
OCT (optic nerve test): $30 – $50 (PHS), $70 – $100 (PH), $100 – $300 (PrH) |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Cataract Surgery Bills
- Public hospital with subsidies: $700 – $1300 per eye
- Public hospital without subsidies: $3800 – $6400 per eye
- Private hospital: $4200 – $8000 per eye
Cataract Surgery Packages
For Singapore citizens/ PR with no insurance coverage, the following clinics offer the discounted Cataract Day Surgery Packages listed below:
Seniors over 65 years of age:
- @ Farrer Park Hospital (4 bedder day ward): S$ 5178.23
- @ Mt Elizabeth Novena Hospital (single room day ward): S$ 6320.23
Alternatives:
- @ Farrer Park Hospital (4 bedder day ward): S$ 5910.73
- @ Mt Elizabeth Novena Hospital (single room day ward): S$ 6962.23
Types of Eye Surgery Procedures in Clinics
Treatment | Surgery Procedure |
LASIK (Standard) | Invasive surgery: A flap is made on the surface of your cornea; another laser is used to correct the refractive error and the flap is folded back. |
Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) | Non-invasive surgery: A thin layer of cells are removed on the surface of the cornea, followed by sculpting the cornea tissue and correcting the refractive errors using a laser, and a protective contact lens is placed over the eye until the surface cells grow back within a few days |
– Epi-LASIK | (No-flap, no-incision, surface-based procedure) |
– TransPRK | |
ReLEx SMILE (Refractive Lenticule Extraction, Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) | Minimally invasive surgery: A small incision is made (instead of a flap) on the surface of the eye using a laser, and the refractive lenticular is removed from the micro-incision, and the cornea curvature is corrected as it collapses into the empty space. |
Cost comparison of Eye Surgery Procedures
LASIK clinic | Price |
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) | $2,000 to $3,590 (depending on whether LASIK is bladeless & seniority of consultant) + around $160 (consultation) |
National University Hospital (NUH) | $3,532 to $4,708 (bladeless LASIK; depending on seniority of consultant) + $102 (consultation) |
Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) | $2,364 to $3,532 (depending on whether LASIK is bladeless or not & seniority of consultant) + $109 to $123 (consultation) |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Cost comparison of procedures | Procedure |
Procedure | Cost |
LASIK | $2,980 to $4,500 |
iLASIK | Add 30% to 50% more to your LASIK bill |
ASA | $3,599 to $4,000 |
ReLEx SMILE | $4,805 to $6,000 |
Post-procedure medication (if not included in the package) | $50 to $100 |
CXL (add on) | $1,199 to $3,000 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
LASIK clinic | Price |
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) | $2,000 to $3,590 (depending on whether LASIK is bladeless & seniority of consultant) + around $160 (consultation) |
National University Hospital (NUH) | $3,532 to $4,708 (bladeless LASIK; depending on seniority of consultant) + $102 (consultation) |
Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) | $2,364 to $3,532 (depending on whether LASIK is bladeless or not & seniority of consultant) + $109 to $123 (consultation) |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
LASIK clinic | Price |
Atlas Eye Specialist Centre | $2,959 to $3,659 |
Asia Pacific Eye Centre | From $2,980 |
LSE Eye Clinic | $3,198 to $4,375 |
Eagle Eye Centre | $3,250 to $3,450 |
Lee Hung Ming Eye Centre | From $3,724.67 |
Clearvision Eye Clinic | $3,888 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Cost comparison of procedures | Procedure |
Procedure | Cost |
LASIK | $2,980 to $4,500 |
iLASIK | Add 30% to 50% more to your LASIK bill |
ASA | $3,599 to $4,000 |
ReLEx SMILE | $4,805 to $6,000 |
Post-procedure medication (if not included in the package) | $50 to $100 |
CXL (add on) | $1,199 to $3,000 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
LASIK clinic | Price |
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) | $2,000 to $3,590 (depending on whether LASIK is bladeless & seniority of consultant) + around $160 (consultation) |
National University Hospital (NUH) | $3,532 to $4,708 (bladeless LASIK; depending on seniority of consultant) + $102 (consultation) |
Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) | $2,364 to $3,532 (depending on whether LASIK is bladeless or not & seniority of consultant) + $109 to $123 (consultation) |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Eye Surgery Costs in Public/Private Clinics
Here is a breakdown of a list of public and private LASIK centers in Singapore and their LASIK surgery prices: | |
LASIK center (public) | LASIK surgery price (incl. GST) |
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) | $1,595 to $1,795 |
Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) | $1,659 to $1,766 |
National University Hospital (NUH) | $1,766 to $2,354 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
LASIK surgery prices in Private Eye Clinics in Singapore | |
LASIK center (private) | LASIK surgery price (incl. GST) |
Lee Hung Ming / Asia Pacific Eye Centre | $3,724.67 |
Atlas Eye Centre | $4,059.00 |
Shinagawa Eye Centre | $4,160.16 |
Clearvision Eye Clinic & LASIK Centre | $3,888.00 |
W Eye Clinic | $3,625.16 |
Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre | $3,424.00 |
Jerry Tan Eye Surgery | $8,000.00 |
LSC Eye Clinic | $4,375.00 |
Eagle Eye Centre | $3,691.50 |
LASIK surgery prices in private LASIK centers in Singapore (Source: individual LASIK clinics) |
Cataract Surgery Consultation or Surgical Procedure Costs
General Eye Consultation Fees | |
These estimated guidelines on Fees have been drawn from the Singapore Medical Association (Fees listed are consultation fees, these exclude separate hospital stay charges). | |
In-Office Consultation | PRICE EXCL GST |
Short Consultation (up to 10mins) | $80 – $120 |
Long Consultation (11 to 20 mins) | $90 – $150 |
Subsequent Consultation | $60 – $90 |
Out-Of-Office Consultation | PRICE EXCL GST |
Non-Emergency Consultation | $200 – $250 |
Emergency Consultation | $250 – $400 |
Hospital Inpatient Consultation (per day) | $100 – $250 |
Eye Examination For Pilot | PRICE EXCL GST |
Eye Examination for Pilot (For the First Time) | $180 |
Renewal Eye Test for Pilot | $250 |
Cataract Surgery Fees | |
The guideline on Fees is based on the Singapore Medical Association (Fees listed are consultation fees and are exclusive of hospital charges). | |
Pre-Cataract Operation Evaluation | PRICE EXCL GST |
Eye specialist consultation & examination for cataract surgery | $280 |
Cataract Operation Fee | PRICE EXCL GST |
Standard Lens | $5,800 per eye |
Multifocal lens | $6,800 per eye |
Can I use Medi-Save for Cataract Surgery? | |
Yes! Medi-Save is claimable for Cataract Surgery. The amount claimable is $2,150. The patient may often tap deductibles from his/her own, spouse, or children’s Medi-Save Account. |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Comparison of Distinct Corrective Eye Procedure Costs
Cost comparison of procedures | |
ASA | $3 599 – $4,000 |
LASIK | $3,100 – $4,500 |
iLASIK | Add 30% – 50% more to your LASIK bill |
ReLEx SMILE | $5,000 – $6,000 |
Post-procedure medication (if not included in the package) | $50 – $100 |
CXL | $1,199 – $4,041 |
*the rates are above are correct as of the date of publishing; please check current prevailing rates from the source
Editor’s Note:
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