Dr Charles Ong

Dr Charles Ong is a Consultant with the Medical Retina department. His clinical interests are in the treatment of wet/neovascular age related macula degeneration (wet AMD) including choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV); diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macula edema (DME); retinal vein occlusions and related cystoid macula edema. He utilises treatment modalities such as intravitreal injections of medications, lasers and photodynamic therapy. Dr Ong provides cataract surgery with a focus on helping patients achieve clear vision that matches their daily needs and lifestyle. He discusses options with each patient and works together with them to choose the most suitable intraocular lens (IOL), aiming for the best results with minimal side effects.  Hehas experience with a wide range of lenses, including monofocal, enhanced depth of focus (EDOF), multifocal, and toric lenses, and also advises on approaches such as monovision to support patients’ visual goals.  

Dr Ong has been recognised for his performance and accomplishments throughout his career. He obtained the Gold Medal and Book Prize in Ophthalmology while in medical school. During his residency training, he was twice awarded the Outstanding Resident award in 2017 and 2020. He served as Chief Resident, was selected to be a part of the Singapore Chief Residency Programme (SCRP) and was identified as one of the Top 5 Chief Residents within the SingHealth cluster in 2022. Dr Ong actively contributes to the education and training of residents as well as medical students. He is a part of the core team of faculty members responsible for undergraduate Ophthalmology medical education and trains residents for cataract surgery training. 

Beyond clinical work, Dr Ong is involved in research on retinal conditions. He has participated in studies on treatments for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, myopic choroidal neovascularization, and diabetic eye disease. He also collaborates internationally on projects exploring the use of artificial intelligence in diabetic macular edema and contributes to studies on geographic atrophy in Asian populations. Dr Ong regularly shares his work and learns from others through regional and international conferences. 

In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as SingHealth Liaison for Joint Task Force (Assurance) that was responsible for containing the spread of COVID-19.    

• FRCOphth (2023)
• MMed (Ophth) (2021)
• MBBS (2015)

• Top 5 SingHealth Chief Residents,(2022)·
• Outstanding Resident Award, SingHealth, (2017 and 2020)·      
• Junior Doctor Teaching Award, SingHealth,(2017)·       
• Gold Medal and Book Prize in Ophthalmology,(2013)

1.  Ong C, Sun C, Mathur R, Chan CM, Yeo I, Sim S, Teo K, Cheung G. Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) Alteration in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) and Typical Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration (tAMD). Retina. 2025 May 6. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004509. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40373229.
2  .Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Retinal Vascular Disorders. Ong C, Wong YZM, Cheong KX, Zhao J, Teo KYC, Tan TE. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 May 3;13(9):1620. doi:10.3390/diagnostics13091620.
3.  An atypical case of retinal pigment epithelium tear with remodeling and visual preservation. Ong C, Cheung CMG.  Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2024 Oct 29;14(4):614-618. doi: 10.4103/tjo.TJO-D-24-00051. PMID: 39803399; PMCID: PMC11717326.
4.  Review of Retinal Imaging Modalities for Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy. Cheong KX, Ong C, Chandrasekaran PR, Zhao J, Teo KYC, Mathur R. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 May 16;13(10):1752. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13101752. PMID: 37238236; PMCID: PMC10217485.
5.  Retinal Oximetry in Subjects With Glaucomatous Hemifield Asymmetry. Yap ZL, Ong C, Lee YF, Tsai A, Cheng C, Nongpiur ME, Perera SA. J Glaucoma. 2017 Apr;26(4):367-372.
6.  Utility of multimodal imaging in the clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal degenerations. Lee BJH, Sun CZY, Ong C, Jain K, Tan TE, Chan CM, Mathur RS, Tang RWC, Bylstra Y, Kam SPR, Lim WK, Fenner BJ. Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2024 Dec 3;14(4):486-496. doi: 10.4103/tjo.TJO-D-24-00066. PMID: 39803408; PMCID: PMC11717338.
7.  Polymeric biomaterials in the treatment of posterior segment diseases. Seah I, Ong C, Liu Z, Su X. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 18;9:949543. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.949543. PMID: 36059842; PMCID: PMC9433984.
8.  Inter-eye comparison of retinal oximetry and vessel caliber between eyes with asymmetrical glaucoma severity in different glaucoma subtypes. Cheng CS, Lee YF, Ong C, Yap ZL, Tsai A, Mohla A, Nongpiur ME, Aung T, Perera SA. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016 Jul 19;10:1315-21.
9.  A Rabbit Model Study to Determine the Efficacy of a Prototype Corneal Endothelium Protector during Cataract Surgery. Chew ACY, Chan A, Nongpiur ME, Peh G, Barathi VA, Lwin NC, Ong C, Perera S. J Ophthalmol. 2017;2017:6906139.
10.  Glaucoma related retinal oximetry: a technology update. Yap ZL, Verma S, Lee YF, Ong C, Mohla A, Perera SA. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018 Jan 4;12:79-84.
11.  Updates in deep learning research in ophthalmology. Ng WY, Zhang S, Wang Z, Ong C, Gunasekeran DV, Lim GYS, Zheng F, Tan SCY, Tan GSW, Rim TH, Schmetterer L, Ting DSW. Clin Sci (Lond). 2021 Oct 29;135(20):2357-2376.
12.  Combined Approach to Phacoemulsification and Trabeculectomy Results in Less Ideal Refractive Outcomes Compared With the Sequential Approach. Ong C, Nongpiur ME, Peter L, Perera SA. J Glaucoma. 2016 Oct;25(10):e873-e878.