What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, causing blurred or dim vision, glare, and faded colours. It develops gradually with age and is extremely common over 60. The only effective treatment is surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens (intraocular lens, or IOL).
How Cataract Surgery Works
The standard technique is phacoemulsification: through a tiny incision, ultrasound breaks up the cloudy lens, which is removed and replaced with a folded IOL. It is usually a painless day procedure under local (eye-drop) anaesthesia, taking around 15–30 minutes per eye. Laser-assisted cataract surgery (femtosecond) is an option at additional cost.
Lens (IOL) Options
- Monofocal IOL: Clear vision at one distance (usually far); glasses needed for reading. Covered by standard subsidies.
- Toric IOL: Corrects astigmatism for sharper vision.
- Multifocal / EDOF IOL: Reduces dependence on glasses for both near and far, at higher cost; some glare/halo trade-offs.
Recovery
- Day 1: Vision often improves quickly; a shield protects the eye, especially at night.
- Week 1–4: Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops; avoid rubbing, swimming and heavy lifting.
- By ~4 weeks: Vision stabilises and a glasses prescription (if needed) is finalised.
Frequently Asked Questions
See who practises in this field: subspecialty focus, credentials and clinic websites, checked against public records.
Browse eye specialists →At public hospitals, subsidised cataract surgery can cost roughly S$1,500–S$3,000+ per eye after subsidies and Medisave (varies by means-testing). Private cataract surgery typically ranges from S$4,000 to S$8,000+ per eye, more with premium lenses or laser assistance.
Yes. Cataract surgery is Medisave-claimable up to a set limit per eye, and Integrated Shield Plans often cover private surgery. Premium lens upgrades may incur out-of-pocket costs. Confirm specifics with the clinic.
A monofocal lens gives excellent distance vision and is subsidy-covered, with glasses for reading. Multifocal/EDOF lenses reduce glasses dependence but cost more and have minor glare trade-offs. Your surgeon will recommend based on your eyes and lifestyle.
Cataract surgery is among the safest, most successful operations, done as day surgery under eye-drop anaesthesia. Most people see an improvement within days, using eye drops for a few weeks and avoiding rubbing or swimming until cleared.
General information only — not medical advice. Always verify a doctor’s SMC registration and discuss your individual circumstances with a qualified specialist.