Cataract Surgery Cost In Singapore

In a study conducted by the World Health Organisation, it was found out that an estimated 18 million people around the globe are suffering from bilateral blindness caused by cataracts.

What are cataracts?

A cataract is a disease that affects the eye. It is identified by a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. This leads to difficulty in seeing that may eventually end up in blindness.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Cataracts have several symptoms that affect the vision, such as:

• Blurred vision
• Clouded vision
• Difficulty to see at night
• Dimming of vision
• Double vision in one eye
• Fading or yellowing of colors in vision
• Increased sensitivity to light and glare
• Shadowy vision

Cataract symptoms may not be evident during its early stages. The clouding of your eye lens may start in a small area first and then spread out over the course of time. As it develops, more obvious symptoms, as those listed above, will be more noticeable.

Are there different types of cataracts?

There are 4 different types of cataracts. They are:

• Cortical Cataracts – this type of cataract first affects the outer edge of the lens cortex. As the disease progresses, the whitish streaks spreads to the center of the lens.
• Congenital Cataracts – this type of cataract is inherited and may either be inborn or developed in childhood. Other triggers of congenital cataracts include galactosemia, intrauterine infection, myotonic dystrophy, neurofibromatosis type 2, rubella, or trauma.
• Nuclear Cataracts – this type of cataracts may seem to improve nearsightedness, but as it develops the eye’s vision suddenly turns yellow or brown and clouds the vision.
• Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts – this type of cataract normally begins to form right where the light passes, near the back of the eye’s lens. This type of cataract progresses quickly as compared to the other kinds.

What are the risks that can contribute to the possible development of cataracts?

There are several health risks that can contribute to the possible development of cataracts. These are:

• Aging
• Extreme sunlight exposure
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Extensive use of corticosteroid medication
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Prior eye inflammation, injury, or surgery
• Obesity
• Smoking

What should I do to confirm if I have cataracts?

If you are exhibiting symptoms of cataracts, it is important to have your eyes checked immediately by an ophthalmologist for proper diagnosis. Tests may be done to assess the condition and health of your eyes. These tests may either be any of the following:

• Cataract density imaging
• Cataract photography
• Slit lamp method

How much will a cataract treatment and surgery cost in Singapore?

The total cataract surgery cost offered by clinics like Asia Retina is roughly between $1300 to $6000 per eye but that will depend on whether you opt to seek it from a public hospital or a private clinic, how much it costs for the stay in the hospital. Below are the different factors and approximate costs that patients will incur in a treatment:

First Consultation

• Public hospital (Subsidised) – $40 to $60
• Public hospital (Private) – $100 to $150
• Private clinics – $100 to $400

Visual Field

• Public hospital (Subsidised) – $35
• Public hospital (Private) – $100
• Private clinics – $100 to $300

Visual Refraction

• Public hospital (Subsidised) – $20
• Public hospital (Private) – $50
• Private clinics – $50 to $100

OCT

• Public hospital (Subsidised) – $35 to $50
• Public hospital (Private) – $80 to $100
• Private clinics – $100 to $300

Surgery

• Public hospital (Subsidised) – $800 to $1,200 per eye
• Public hospital (Private) – $4,000 to $6,000 per eye
• Private clinics – $4,000 to $8,000 per eye

What is the difference between choosing to have a treatment done in a public hospital versus a private clinic?

Both institutions can no doubt deliver cataract treatments competitively. However, when it comes to differences, choosing a private clinic will be much more convenient when it comes to urgency as the patients can book an appointment directly with very minimal time needed for waiting. This convenience, of course, also has a hefty price tags. Consultations and tests done in private clinics may cost 50% more than those done in public hospitals.

If budget is a concern and waiting time is not a priority, then public hospitals would be your best option.

How will you know if you need cataract surgery?

Your doctor should be able to give you a recommendation whether you need to have cataract surgery done or not after a complete assessment of your eyes. This, of course, should be backed up by eye tests for accuracy.

What are the steps involved in cataract surgery?

The following are the steps involved in cataract surgery?

1. Application of numbing eye drops to the eye in order to ease any pain or discomfort during the surgery.
2. Creation of a tiny incision at the side of the cornea that is less than 3mm in measurement.
3. Creation of a round opening in the front of the eyes.
4. Emulsion and extraction of the cataract using a hollow blunt needle and ultrasonic energy.
5. Insertion of an artificial lens in the empty lens capsule as replacement for the extracted cataract lens.

How long does cataract surgery take?

Cataract surgery will only take around 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Patients do not need to be admitted to the hospital for this type of operation.

What happens after the surgery?

Patients will need to wear an eye shield after the surgery, which is to be used for a day. The eye may appear red and inflamed, although this should be temporary only. Activities that require physical strength should be avoided, as well as swimming and dusty places. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops that would protect the eye from infection.