Choosing an ophthalmologist in Singapore can be important for patients who need assessment or treatment for eye symptoms, vision changes, cataracts, childhood eye conditions, myopia, squint, lazy eye, or other eye health concerns. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor trained to diagnose and manage eye conditions, including those that may require medication, procedures, surgery, or long-term monitoring.
For patients searching for a recommended ophthalmologist in Singapore, it is useful to look at the doctor’s qualifications, clinical focus, consultation approach, clinic facilities, patient age group served, and follow-up care. Eye care needs can differ between adults and children, so patients may also wish to consider whether the clinic manages both adult and paediatric eye concerns.
What Does an Ophthalmologist Do?
An ophthalmologist assesses and manages medical and surgical conditions affecting the eyes and vision. This may include routine eye checks, eye pressure assessment, cataract evaluation, diabetic eye checks, childhood vision problems, eye alignment concerns, refractive errors, eyelid problems, eye infections, allergies, and other eye-related symptoms.
An ophthalmologist may assess:
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Red eyes
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma risk
- Diabetic eye disease
- Age-related macular changes
- Myopia progression in children
- Strabismus or squint
- Lazy eye
- Double vision
- Eye injuries
- Eyelid or external eye problems
- Vision issues affecting children’s learning or daily activities
Some patients may see an ophthalmologist after referral from a GP, optometrist, paediatrician, school screening programme, or another specialist. Others may book directly if they have eye symptoms or known eye conditions.
When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?
Patients may consider seeing an ophthalmologist if they have symptoms or risk factors that need medical eye assessment.
These may include:
- Sudden or persistent blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Sudden vision loss
- Flashes or floaters
- Red eye that does not settle
- Double vision
- Eye injury
- Cataract symptoms
- High eye pressure
- Diabetes requiring eye screening
- Family history of eye disease
- Child with suspected vision problem
- Child with eye misalignment
- Child with worsening myopia
- Eye symptoms affecting school, work, reading, or daily activities
Urgent medical attention is needed for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, eye injury, sudden onset of many floaters, flashes of light, or symptoms suggesting a serious eye condition.
Dr Leo Adult & Paediatric Eye Specialist
- Location: #10-04 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
- Contact Information: +65 6737 8366
- Clinic’s Website: https://www.drleoeyespecialist.com
The clinic is led by Dr Leo Seo Wei, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist. Dr Leo provides ophthalmology care for both adults and children, with clinical interests that include paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, myopia control, cataract surgery, and assessment of vision concerns in children with learning or developmental difficulties.
Meet Dr Leo Seo Wei
Dr Leo Seo Wei is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist in Singapore with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She obtained her MBBS from the National University of Singapore and has postgraduate qualifications in ophthalmology, including Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology, Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Ophthalmology, and Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.
Her fellowship training includes paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus training at W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, followed by further fellowship exposure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, USA.
Dr Leo previously headed the Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Service at the National Healthcare Group Eye Institute and served as a senior visiting ophthalmologist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. She has also contributed to medical education through teaching roles, including as a Clinical Lecturer at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Areas of Eye Care Provided
At Dr Leo Adult & Paediatric Eye Specialist, patients may seek assessment and management for a range of adult and paediatric eye concerns. The clinic’s services include eye screening, cataract care, myopia control, strabismus assessment, lazy eye care, glaucoma follow-up, diabetic eye checks, macular assessment, eyelid concerns, external eye disease, infection, allergies, and children’s eye care.
The most suitable assessment or treatment depends on the patient’s age, symptoms, medical history, eye examination findings, and previous eye records.
1. Myopia Control in Children
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is common among children in Singapore. It can progress during childhood and teenage years, which is why monitoring may be recommended for children with worsening vision or increasing spectacle power.
Dr Leo provides myopia control assessment and management for children. Options may include low-dose atropine eye drops, specialised optical aids, lifestyle advice, and regular monitoring depending on the child’s age, eye findings, myopia progression, and suitability.
Parents may consider bringing their child for an eye assessment if they notice:
- Squinting
- Sitting very close to screens or books
- Difficulty seeing the board in school
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Headaches after reading
- Worsening spectacle power
- Family history of high myopia
A myopia control plan should be individualised and reviewed over time.
2. Strabismus and Eye Alignment Concerns
Strabismus refers to misalignment of the eyes. It may affect children or adults. Some patients may have one eye turning inward, outward, upward, or downward. In children, strabismus may be associated with lazy eye or reduced visual development if not assessed.
In adults, strabismus may cause double vision, eye strain, altered eye alignment, or concerns after childhood squint, injury, nerve-related conditions, or previous surgery.
Dr Leo assesses and manages strabismus in both children and adults. Treatment may involve spectacles, patching, eye exercises in selected cases, monitoring, or surgery depending on the diagnosis and patient needs.
Patients should seek assessment if there is:
- Eye misalignment
- A child covering one eye
- Head tilting
- Double vision
- Poor depth perception
- Eye strain
- A family history of childhood eye alignment issues
- Concerns about lazy eye
3. Paediatric Eye Care
Children may not always be able to explain vision problems clearly. Some signs may appear during reading, schoolwork, play, or daily activities. Paediatric eye assessment can help identify vision issues, refractive errors, lazy eye, strabismus, eye allergies, eye infections, or other eye concerns.
Parents may consider a paediatric eye consultation if their child has:
- Blurred vision
- Frequent blinking
- Eye rubbing
- Headaches
- Poor reading attention
- Eye turning
- Unequal pupil appearance
- White reflex in photographs
- Droopy eyelid
- Delayed visual behaviour
- Learning or developmental difficulties where vision assessment may be relevant
Dr Leo also assesses vision concerns in children with learning or developmental difficulties, where visual factors may affect school tasks, reading, coordination, or daily functioning.
4. Cataract Assessment and Surgery
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This can cause blurred vision, glare, halos, difficulty reading, difficulty driving at night, or changes in spectacle power.
An ophthalmologist may assess cataracts through an eye examination and vision testing. Surgery may be discussed when cataracts affect daily activities and the patient is medically suitable.
Dr Leo provides cataract assessment and surgery, including femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, sometimes described as bladeless cataract surgery. The recommended approach depends on the patient’s eye condition, visual needs, cataract type, lens measurement, and suitability for surgery.
Patients considering cataract surgery may wish to ask:
- How advanced is the cataract?
- Is surgery needed now or can it be monitored?
- What lens options are suitable?
- What are the risks and limitations?
- What recovery should I expect?
- Will I still need spectacles after surgery?
5. Eye Screening for Adults
Adult eye screening may be useful for patients with diabetes, high myopia, family history of glaucoma, cataract symptoms, age-related vision changes, or previous abnormal eye findings.
An eye screening may include:
- Visual acuity testing
- Eye pressure measurement
- Slit lamp examination
- Retinal examination
- Optical coherence tomography where needed
- Visual field testing where needed
- Fundus photography where needed
- Diabetic eye assessment
- Cataract or glaucoma evaluation
The doctor will advise which tests are needed based on symptoms and risk factors.
6. Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease and Retinal Checks
Some eye conditions may develop gradually and may not cause symptoms at the start. Glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related retinal conditions may require periodic monitoring.
Patients may need eye review if they have:
- Diabetes
- High eye pressure
- Family history of glaucoma
- High myopia
- Previous retinal findings
- Sudden floaters or flashes
- Distorted central vision
- Reduced peripheral vision
- Unexplained vision changes
Early assessment can help determine whether monitoring, treatment, or referral to another subspecialist is needed.
What to Expect During a Consultation
An eye consultation usually begins with a discussion of symptoms, medical history, eye history, medication use, allergies, family history, previous eye tests, and current spectacles or contact lens use.
Depending on the concern, the consultation may include:
- Vision testing
- Refraction assessment
- Eye pressure measurement
- Slit lamp examination
- Dilated eye examination
- Retinal imaging
- Optical coherence tomography
- Visual field testing
- Eye alignment assessment
- Cycloplegic refraction for children where needed
- Discussion of diagnosis and treatment options
Some tests may blur near vision temporarily, especially if dilating drops are used. Patients may wish to ask whether they can drive after the appointment.
How to Choose an Ophthalmologist in Singapore
Patients may consider several practical and medical factors when choosing an ophthalmologist.
These may include:
- Doctor’s medical registration and specialist status
- Clinical focus relevant to the patient’s condition
- Adult or paediatric eye care scope
- Availability of diagnostic tests
- Experience with the condition being assessed
- Explanation of treatment options and risks
- Clinic location and appointment access
- Follow-up arrangements
- Cost transparency
- Insurance or MediSave considerations where relevant
Patients should feel able to ask questions and understand the purpose of recommended tests or treatment.
When to Seek Urgent Eye Care
Some eye symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment.
Seek urgent medical care if there is:
- Sudden vision loss
- Severe eye pain
- Eye injury
- Chemical exposure to the eye
- Sudden onset of many floaters
- Flashes of light
- Curtain-like shadow over vision
- Red eye with reduced vision
- New double vision
- Sudden drooping eyelid with other neurological symptoms
- White pupil reflex in a child
- Eye infection with swelling around the eye and fever
Prompt assessment is important when symptoms may indicate a serious eye condition.
This article is for general information only and should not replace medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
