Expanding Eye Care Access in Singapore's North-East
The Singapore National Eye Centre has taken a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility by opening its third operating theatre at the SNEC Eye Clinic located within Sengkang General Hospital. This development, which became operational in early May, directly addresses growing demand for eye surgeries among residents in the north-eastern region of Singapore.
By adding this new facility, SNEC aims to increase surgical capacity and shorten waiting periods for procedures such as cataract removal, allowing more patients to receive timely treatment closer to their homes. The expansion reflects broader efforts by Singapore's public healthcare system to decentralise specialised services while maintaining high standards of care.
Details of the New Operating Theatre
The latest addition brings the total number of operating theatres at the Sengkang branch to three. These facilities support a wide range of routine eye procedures, with a particular focus on cataract surgery, which remains one of the most common interventions performed by SNEC specialists. The new theatre is equipped to the same standards as those at the main SNEC campus, ensuring consistency in equipment, implants, and protocols.
Senior consultant Woo Jyh Haur, who heads the SNEC Eye Clinic at SKH and specialises in corneal and external eye disease, highlighted that the expansion enables the clinic to support nearly 30 faculty surgeons performing operations across the three theatres. This setup allows for greater scheduling flexibility and higher throughput without compromising quality.
Current Patient Volume and Projected Growth
The SNEC Eye Clinic at Sengkang General Hospital currently handles close to 30,000 patient visits annually. In 2025 alone, more than 3,000 eye operations were conducted in the existing two operating theatres. With the addition of the third theatre, SNEC anticipates this number could rise to approximately 5,000 procedures per year.
Such growth is particularly relevant given Singapore's ageing population and the prevalence of age-related eye conditions. The clinic serves as a key node in SNEC's network, which includes the main centre at Singapore General Hospital as well as affiliated sites at Changi General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, and Bedok.
Benefits for Patients in the Heartland
One of the primary advantages of the new theatre is the reduction in waiting times for surgery. Patients previously referred from the main SNEC centre or other clinics can now opt for procedures at Sengkang, provided the surgery falls within the scope of routine operations supported at the site. Specialised interventions, such as corneal transplants, continue to be handled at the main campus.
The convenience factor cannot be overstated for residents in areas like Sengkang, Punggol, and nearby estates. Shorter travel times mean less disruption to daily routines, especially for seniors who often require accompaniment or face mobility challenges. Follow-up care can also be arranged seamlessly across SNEC locations to maintain continuity.
Patient Perspectives and Real-World Impact
Consider the experience of Yishun resident Lim Beng Hong, aged 61. Initially visiting the main SNEC centre with her daughter Eileen See, the pair later learned about the Sengkang option. Lim underwent cataract surgery on both eyes at the SKH clinic in late January and early February, with the entire process proving efficient. "In less than an hour, we were out of the clinic," See noted, adding that awareness of the closer location would have made the journey far more convenient from the outset.
Stories like this underscore how decentralised services can enhance patient satisfaction while freeing up capacity at the central facility for more complex cases. Many patients remain unaware of the full range of services available at satellite clinics or hold misconceptions about differences in quality, despite the shared pool of specialists and standardised equipment.
Context Within Singapore's Healthcare Landscape
Singapore's public healthcare institutions, under the SingHealth group, have progressively expanded satellite services to bring specialist care closer to communities. The SNEC Eye Clinic at SKH exemplifies this approach, serving the north-eastern population through a partnership between SNEC and Sengkang General Hospital. This model supports the national goal of timely, cost-effective eye care, particularly for seniors affected by conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
By distributing surgical capacity, the system can better manage demand fluctuations and respond to demographic shifts. The emphasis remains on maintaining identical clinical standards across sites, with the same specialised staff and protocols in place.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Some patients continue to prefer the main centre due to assumptions that comprehensive or higher-quality care is available only there. However, the Sengkang facility draws from the same specialist pool, and its operating theatres meet the same rigorous standards for routine procedures. Education efforts by SNEC aim to inform the public about these equivalences, encouraging greater utilisation of conveniently located options.
This awareness is crucial as the network continues to grow, ensuring that resources are used optimally and that patients experience minimal barriers to accessing necessary treatments.
Future Outlook for Eye Care Services
With the third operating theatre now active, SNEC is well-positioned to further scale its services in response to ongoing demand. Continued expansion of the clinic network across central and eastern Singapore supports the vision of accessible, high-quality eye care for all residents. Future developments may include additional outreach or technological enhancements to streamline processes even further.
Stakeholders, including clinicians and administrators, view such investments as essential for sustaining Singapore's reputation for efficient and patient-centred healthcare delivery.
Photo by Toxic Smoker on Unsplash
How to Access Services at the Sengkang Clinic
Patients interested in consultations or surgery at the SNEC Eye Clinic @ SKH can contact SNEC's appointment department for guidance. Those already under the care of SNEC specialists at other locations may discuss the possibility of transferring surgical care to Sengkang where appropriate. The clinic is situated at Sengkang General Hospital Medical Centre, Level 8, 110 Sengkang East Way.
Coordination between sites ensures that medical records and follow-up arrangements remain streamlined, minimising any administrative burden on patients.
Broader Implications for Public Health
The opening of additional surgical capacity at Sengkang contributes to Singapore's overall strategy of proactive eye health management. Early intervention for common conditions helps preserve vision and quality of life, reducing the long-term societal costs associated with untreated eye diseases. As the population ages, such expansions become increasingly vital.
By prioritising accessibility without sacrificing standards, SNEC continues to set benchmarks for specialised care delivery in the region.
