The average cost of cataract surgery per eye in Singapore can range between is $1500 – $8000. Wow, that’s a wide range, you may say.
That’s because the average cost of the cataract surgery procedure alone (without the cost of the lens implant) is approximately $3000 – 5000. The out-of-pocket cost to you then depends on the follow factors:
- Whether patient is eligible for government subsidy:
If you are able to get special government subsidy, this cost can be brought down to as low as $1500. Government subsidies such as Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and Pioneer Generation Package are only offered in public hospitals, not in private hospitals.
Patients under such subsidies will not be able to choose their cataract surgeon nor the type of intraocular lens.
- Whether surgery is done in private or public hospital:
While it is a general assumption that private hospital fees are higher than public hospital fees, it is not always the case. You may be surprised to know that a non-subsidised (private) patient at a public hospital may end up paying as much or more than a patient in a private hospital.
This is especially so if patients at a public hospital choose a particular surgeon, femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery and premium intraocular lens.
- Who your surgeon is:
In public hospitals, your surgeon may range from resident trainee to senior consultant level. Subsidised patients do not get a choice on their surgeon and may see a different doctor at every visit, while private patients will be able to choose their surgeon.
Other than surgical skill, it is important to choose a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and feel safe enough to trust your eyes with.
- Type of cataract surgery – phaco or femtosecond-laser assisted
The 2 most common cataract surgery procedures are phacoemulsification (phaco) and the femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery. Both methods are equally safe and yield equally good visual results under the right hands.
The decision on which method is used depends on your eye condition and your surgeon’s judgement. The laser assisted cataract surgery cost is higher due to the additional cost of the laser machine.
- Type of intraocular lens implant
The cost of the intraocular lens alone ranges from $600 to $3500, depending on the type. A premium intraocular lens (toric or multifocal) will cost more and contribute to the total cost of the surgery.
- Whether patient has Medisave, Medishield or insurance coverage
All Singaporean or Permanent Resident patients (at public or private hospitals) are further eligible to claim up to $2450 from their Medisave for cataract surgery.
In addition, if you have Medishield Life and/or personal insurance coverage, you may able to claim the FULL COST of the surgery and lens implant, hence the ‘out of pocket’ cost to you could be zero. The clinic or hospital may be able to facilitate this claim for you by doing direct electronic filing of your claim.
