Services

Regain Your Vision with Cataract Surgery

We provide a one-stop service offering thorough cataract assessments and surgery, aimed at delivering the best possible results and visual outcomes for patients with all types of cataracts.

Understanding Cataracts & Modern Treatment Options

Although cataracts are the most common cause of blindness worldwide, cataract surgery is among the safest eye procedures and provides long-lasting results. Generally, people aged 40 and up have a higher risk of developing this condition.

Around

of elderly patients are affected by cataract

0 %
1

Approximately

of those affected are between 60 and 64 years

0 %
1

An Estimated

of those affected are 75 years and older

0 %
1

1. Ho T, Law NM, Goh LG, Yoong T. Eye diseases in the elderly in Singapore. Singapore Med J 1997; 38:149-55

Table of Contents

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a common eye condition where the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded, impeding clear vision. This cloudiness can cause a decrease in visual acuity and is often described as looking through a foggy or frosty window.

Because cataracts form inside the eye and cannot be seen without a special microscope, the eye’s appearance is not altered, and the individual may not experience any discomfort. The changes caused by cataracts can be so gradual that one may not notice their impact initially.

Factors That Increase The Chances of Cataracts

Cataracts are predominantly age-related but can also result from other factors such as diabetes mellitus, previous eye injuries, or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. When a relatively young person has a cataract in just one eye, it is often due to a past eye injury that may have been neglected or forgotten.

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Aging

Aging is the most common cause of cataracts as the eye’s lens becomes less flexible, thicker, and less transparent over time.

Existing medicial conditions is a casue of dry eye syndrome

Medical Conditions

Chronic conditions like diabetes mellitus can increase the risk of cataracts due to changes in the eye’s metabolism.

Certain medications can casue of dry eye syndrome

Medications

The long-term use of certain medications, like corticosteroids, has been known to lead to cataract development.

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Eye Injuries

Past trauma or injuries to the eye can disrupt the lens, causing cataracts to form, sometimes years after the incident.

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Genetics

A family history of cataracts can increase the likelihood of developing them.

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Lifestyle Factors

Long-term smoking habits, excessive alcohol use, and poor diet can contribute to the risk of cataracts.

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Ultraviolet (UV) Light Exposure

Prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun can damage the proteins in the lens, resulting in the acceleration of cataract formation.

Symptoms of Cataracts

The progression of cataracts can lead to several symptoms affecting daily activities. Common symptoms include:

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Blurred or dim vision

As cataracts progress, the lens of the eye becomes increasingly cloudy, leading to blurred or dim vision. This can make it difficult to read, drive, or see fine details, as everything appears hazy, similar to looking through frosted glass.

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Increased difficulty with vision at night

Cataracts can significantly impair night vision, making it hard to see in low-light conditions. This difficulty is particularly noticeable when driving at night, as headlights and streetlights may appear dimmer or scattered, reducing visibility.

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Sensitivity to light and glare

Many people with cataracts experience heightened sensitivity to bright lights, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. This sensitivity is often accompanied by glare, where light sources seem to spread out, making it challenging to focus on what you’re looking at.

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Seeing "halos" around lights

Cataracts can cause diffraction of light as it enters the eye, leading to the appearance of halos around light sources, particularly at night. These halos can make it difficult to drive or navigate in the dark, as bright lights can become overwhelming.

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Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

As cataracts develop, they can cause frequent changes in your vision, leading to the need for new eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions more often than usual. This frequent need for updates may be an early sign that cataracts are progressing.

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Fading or yellowing of colours

Cataracts can cause colours to appear faded or yellowed, as the clouded lens filters light differently. This change in colour perception can make it harder to distinguish between shades, affecting tasks that require accurate colour vision, such as matching clothes or selecting ripe fruit.

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Double vision in the affected eye

In some cases, cataracts can cause double vision in one eye. This phenomenon occurs when light is scattered as it passes through the cloudy lens, creating multiple images of a single object. Double vision can be disorienting and interfere with daily activities like reading and driving.

The 3-Step Check for Cataracts

At Angel Eye & Cataract Centre, we ensure a thorough and precise diagnosis with these three steps:

1
Visual Acuity Test

We begin by assessing your vision clarity using a vision chart, where you’ll be asked to read letters at various distances. This test helps us determine the extent to which cataracts may be affecting your sight.

2
Subjective Refraction Assessment

Next, we conduct an assessment of your current glasses prescription. This step allows us to gauge how much your vision might improve with a new prescription and identify any changes caused by cataracts.

3
Slit Lamp & Dilated Eye Examination

Finally, your pupils will be dilated to allow a comprehensive examination of the eye’s internal structures using a slit lamp. This helps us plan the most effective cataract treatment based on your needs.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Cataract Treatment

While cataract surgery is elective, delaying treatment can have significant consequences for your vision and overall quality of life. Cataracts will not improve on their own and will worsen over time. As the condition advances, daily activities such as driving, reading, and recognising faces become harder, impacting your independence and safety.

There’s no advantage in postponing cataract surgery if your vision is already affected and the prognosis for surgery is good. Age should never be a barrier to seeking treatment—whether you’re in your 50s or 90s, you can benefit from cataract surgery by regaining clear vision.

Cataract Treatments & Procedures

A cataract cannot be treated with medication or corrected with eyeglasses. When cataracts begin to affect the quality of life and interfere with daily activities, cataract surgery is often recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful medical procedures performed worldwide.

Here are the surgical options available at Angel Eye & Cataract Centre:

Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)

As a fully certified surgeon for FLACS, Dr Fong strictly reserves this surgery method for selected patients with complicated or challenging cases. This modern technique uses a laser to assist in the cataract surgery process, offering a bladeless, highly precise alternative to traditional surgery. The laser is used to create the corneal incision and the opening in the lens capsule, as well as to soften the cataract. This precision reduces risks and improves the accuracy of lens placement.

Angel Eye | cataract surgery 2
Phacoemulsification

A compulsory follow-up procedure to FLACS, this technique uses ultrasound technology to emulsify the cloudy lens before it is suctioned out of the eye. Phacoemulsification is considered a minimally invasive approach to cataract surgery and is commonly used in conjunction with the placement of a premium IOL.

Angel Eye | A image showing a depiction of cataract surgery
Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

During cataract surgery, the natural, cloudy lens is replaced with an intraocular lens. There are several types of IOLs available to suit different vision needs:

A monofocal IOL provides high-quality, clear vision at a single focal point. You can select either excellent distance vision or clear near (reading) vision based on your needs. However, with a monofocal IOL, patients will still need glasses after surgery. If a patient opts for clear distance vision, he/she will require reading glasses for close-up tasks. Conversely, if the patient chooses to improve near vision, he/she will need glasses for distance activities like driving.

Some patients may benefit from having monofocal IOLs in both eyes, with each eye set to different focal points, a technique known as monovision. Typically, one eye is adjusted for distance vision, while the other is optimized for intermediate or near vision, such as reading at 30–40 cm for near vision and 50–70 cm for intermediate vision.

These lenses are especially beneficial for people who need to quickly transition between different visual tasks at varying distances and find wearing glasses inconvenient.

However, multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) may cause issues like glare, starbursts, and halos in low-light conditions, such as when driving at night, and may not be ideal for everyone. They are also not advised if there are additional eye conditions present. Recent multifocal and trifocal designs have undergone numerous enhancements, resulting in reduced glare and halo effects compared to earlier models.

The latest generations of EDOF IOLs enable patients to achieve good vision for both distant and intermediate ranges, with minimal risk of visual disturbances such as glare and halos. In practical terms, when these lenses are correctly implanted and achieve the desired refraction, patients can see clearly at various distances—whether it’s looking at a computer, iPad, food on a table, or larger text on a phone—without needing glasses.

Monofocal lenses and MFIOLs can exist in Toric versions. Designed to correct considerable astigmatism, toric lenses correct poor vision due to regular astigmatism.

Astigmatism commonly occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a segment of an egg(oval shaped) rather than a perfect sphere.

Proper placement of Toric IOL during surgery and post-surgery care helps to reduce astigmatism giving good visual results.

Comprehensive Eye Screening

1st Consultation: S$150*

Follow-Up Consultation: S$110*

(Tests and investigations not inclusive)
*GST not included

Total treatment charges depends on individualised diagnosis. Financial counselling will be provided on breakdown of charges after consultation.

Fees Payment

We accept cash, as well as a variety of hassle-free payment options to suit your convenience, including:

Medisave & Medishield Claimable

Cataract surgery, YAG laser and most other eye procedures such as lasers and injections are MediSave claimable. Note that claim limits are subject to TOSP code (Table of Surgical Procedures) scheme & subsidy guidelines from the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH). Please refer to the MOH website or enquire to find out more.

Insurance Claims

We accept All patients, with or without insurance plans. Ask us about your options.

Treating Cataracts Together with Refractive Errors

Cataract surgery not only restores clarity to your vision but also addresses various refractive errors like astigmatism, myopia (short-sightedness), and hyperopia (far-sightedness).

Angel Eye | Visual representation of astigmatism condition in an eye diagram
Astigmatism

For patients with astigmatism, a condition where the cornea’s irregular curvature causes distorted vision, toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) can be used during cataract surgery to correct this issue. These specially designed lenses are tailored to your specific degree of astigmatism, reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses post-surgery.

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Myopia & hyperopia

Similarly, cataract surgery can correct significant myopia (shortsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), often providing a permanent solution to these refractive errors. This is particularly beneficial for those who have struggled with poor vision throughout their lives.

What to Expect with Cataract Surgery

Feeling anxious or concerned before cataract surgery is quite normal. Understanding what to anticipate before, during, and after the procedure can help you prepare and feel more comfortable. In most cases, cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in the hospital.

1

Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a comprehensive assessment using accurate diagnostic tools to map your eye’s unique characteristics. This ensures a surgery plan that is tailored and effective.

2

Pre-Surgical Planning

Dr Allan Fong uses the information from your consultation to plan the surgery meticulously, choosing the appropriate technology and techniques that match your specific condition.

3

During the surgery

Cataract surgery at our centre is typically done under local or topical anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is usually reserved for patients who have other medical conditions that require it. 

4

After the surgery

Recovery from cataract surgery is quick. Patients often return to their regular activities within a few days. Our team provides detailed post-op care instructions and schedules follow-up visits to ensure optimal recovery.

Outcome of Cataract Surgery

The goal of cataract surgery is to restore clear vision and improve the quality of life. Most patients experience significant improvements in vision following the procedure. The surgery itself is typically performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay. Recovery times are short, and many patients return to their normal activities within a few days, with complete visual recovery and stabilisation within a few weeks.

Angel Eye | Old people playing guitar

Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO)

Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) is a common occurrence, with about 20-30% of patients experiencing it within a few years after cataract surgery. It is often referred to as a “secondary cataract” because it can mimic the symptoms of a cataract.

Angel Eye | Elderly on phone

A few years post cataract surgery, some patients may develop a condition called Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO), where epithelial cells from the natural lens migrate and grow on the back of the lens capsule. This growth can cause the capsule to become cloudy or hazy, leading to a gradual decrease in vision, similar to the original cataract symptoms. Patients with PCO may experience blurred vision, glare, halos around lights, and difficulty reading or seeing fine details.

Fortunately, PCO is treatable with a relatively simple and non-invasive laser procedure called YAG Laser Capsulotomy. In this painless procedure which takes less than 5 minutes, a laser creates a small opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through clearly to the retina, effectively restoring vision. This treatment is usually performed in an outpatient setting and has a high success rate with minimal risks or complications.

Meet Our Doctor

Dr Allan Fong

方齐扬医生

Senior Cataract Surgeon

BBM, PBM, MBBS (S’pore), MMed (Ophth),
FRCS (Edinburgh), MRCOphth (London), FAMS

Medical Director
Senior Consultant Eye Surgeon
Visiting Consultant @ SNEC
Adjunct A/Professor, Duke-NUS

Dr Allan Fong is a revered figure in ophthalmology with experience in cataract surgery techniques, including the use of premium intraocular lenses. He is also fully certified to perform and train medical professionals in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS). Prior to AECC, Dr Allan Fong was formerly the Head of Cataract & Comprehensive Ophthalmology Department at SNEC for 9 Years. As a Senior Consultant at our centre, Dr Fong leads the surgical team and ensures that each patient receives a care plan tailored to their unique vision needs. His commitment to patient outcomes and his years of experience in cataract treatment make him a trusted choice for your eye care.

Dr Allan Fong from Angel Eye & Cataract Centre photo
Dr Allan Fong from Angel Eye & Cataract Centre photo

Choosing the Right Cataract Treatment

The choice of cataract surgery and the type of IOL is influenced by several factors including the patient’s general eye health, lifestyle needs, and specific visual requirements. It is paramount to have a detailed consultation with Dr Allan Fong to understand your individual visual condition before making an informed decision to undergo cataract surgery.

Excellence in eye care

Why Choose Angel Eye & Cataract Centre for Cataract Surgery

One-Stop Eye Centre from Diagnosis to Treatment

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More Than

CATARACT SURGERIES,
LASIK & OTHER EYE SURGERIES

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Years of experience

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A revered figure in Ophthalmology with more than 25 years of in-depth experience in cataract management & cataract surgery techniques

Years of service

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Awarded the Long Service Award from Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)

years

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Formerly the Head of Cataract & Comprehensive Ophthalmology Department at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)

Globally Recognised Ophthalmologist

Dr Allan Fong is internationally renowned for his expertise and extensive contributions to the field of eye care.

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Modern
Surgical Techniques

We utilise FLACS for complex cases and the newest intraocular lenses to ensure optimal results and safety in each procedure.

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With You Every Step of the way

Dr Allan Fong’s commitment goes beyond treatment where he also make sure to take time to guide his patients through every step of their journey – from consultation to recovery – with professionalism and compassion, ensuring quality outcomes for his patients.

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Customised Patient
Care

Each patient’s journey is unique. We provide personalised consultations, detailed diagnostics, and tailor-made treatment plans.
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Comprehensive
Aftercare

Post-surgical care is crucial to recovery.
Our medical team extends follow-ups to monitor and enhance your vision restoration.

Get in touch

See a better way of life

Don’t let cataracts affect the way you live. At Angel Eye & Cataract Centre, we offer comprehensive cataract care tailored to your unique needs. Schedule a consultation or make an enquiry today!

For urgent enquiries and appointment requests, please call or WhatsApp us directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cataract Surgery

We understand you may have many questions about cataract surgery. Here are answers to some of the most common queries about the surgery, recovery, and expected outcomes.

What is the success rate of cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures performed today. The success rate of cataract surgery in improving vision is very high, with over 95% of operations completed without serious complications. The procedure is effective in restoring vision that has been lost due to cataracts, making it a reliable option for those suffering from this condition.

The recovery time after cataract surgery is typically quick. Most patients notice an improvement in their vision within a few days after the procedure. Complete healing often occurs within 8 weeks, but many patients can resume their normal activities, including returning to work and driving, within a couple of days after surgery. It’s important to follow the post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome.

While cataract surgery is generally safe, like any surgical procedure, it carries some risks. Possible complications, although rare, can include postoperative infections, bleeding, inflammation, dislocation of the intraocular lens, retinal detachment, and persistent discomfort or vision problems. The risk of severe vision loss is very low, and most complications can be treated effectively with medication or additional surgeries.

The need for cataract surgery is typically determined by the degree to which the cataract is affecting your daily activities and quality of life. Common symptoms that might indicate the need for surgery include blurred vision, difficulty seeing in low light, seeing halos around lights, frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription, and fading or yellowing of colours. Consulting with an ophthalmologist can help you decide if and when surgery is the right option based on your specific symptoms and vision needs.

Cataract surgery involves removing cloudy lenses and restores clear vision.

The cost of cataract surgery in Singapore varies, typically ranging from $3,000 to $8,000.

The price of cataract surgery in Singapore depends on the surgeon’s expertise, the client’s lens choice and the choice of facility.

When choosing a cataract surgeon in Singapore, you can look up their experience, reviews and treatment methodology.

Cataract treatment in Singapore includes standard, laser-assisted and premium lens implant surgery.