Medical Retina

The Medical Retina Department is led by Clinical Associate Professor Anna Tan (Head and Senior Consultant). The department cares for patients with sight-threatening retinal conditions such as diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, retinal vascular diseases, central serous chorioretinopathy and myopic retinal degeneration. It comprises experienced, fellowship-trained clinicians with a range of expertise covering various retinal disorders. 

Our Care Services 

Non-Surgical Management

The department manages conditions affecting the retina that are not amenable to surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment options offered include laser and medications. Other conditions managed by the department include retinal complications associated with myopia, inherited retinal dystrophies, myopic retinal degeneration and retinovascular eye disease.

Intravitreal Injections

It offers intravitreal injections, a sight saving treatment for chronic macular diseases. Anti-VEGF, steroids, and other medications are used to treat various retina conditions, helping patients preserve their sight. 

Specialised Clinics and Diagnostics

The department has also successfully established a Health Sciences Authority-accredited Gene Therapy Centre and expanded its expertise to include inherited retinal disease clinics and retinal drug toxicity clinics. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, genetic counsellors and visual rehabilitation specialists provide holistic care for patients and families with inherited retinal conditions, while our specialised retinal drug toxicity clinic uses imaging for early detection of medication toxicity in the retina. 

These services are complemented by the electrophysiology unit, a specialised diagnostic unit which conducts specialised tests including electroretinography (ERG), multifocal ERG, visual evoked potential and electrooculography.

Why Choose SNEC?

Quality Assurance

• An established faculty, with extensive local and international specialty training and expertise in all aspects of Medical Retinal. Our faculty is actively involved in numerous local and international advisory boards and have authored multiple publications on best practice guidelines. Our IVT service is of the quality with rigorous-audits to maintain the standards of quality and safety.
• Strong track record of bringing treatment and technologies to benefit our patients. It is equipped with diagnostic capabilities like an established imaging suite, electrophysiology, genetic testing and counselling.
• The department is equipped with outpatient suites in both the SNEC main centre and the Diabetes and Metabolism Centre (DMC) and is supported by a comprehensive range of the latest imaging equipment for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Treatment capabilities range from full-suite laser facilities (including high-speed multispot Pascal lasers and photodynamic therapy) to a purpose-built intravitreal injection suite with a HEPA filter.

Training the Experts & Research LeadershipGlobal Leadership

• Many ophthalmologists in the department are members of prestigious international societies, including the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Macula Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The faculty members are regularly invited to speak at international conferences and we are a tertiary training centre for medical retina fellows globally. The department also conducts educational courses and holds events such as the Retina Symposium on an annual basis. These courses and events attract delegates from many countries.
• Received competitive research funding of over S$60 million to advance the outcomes of patients with retinal diseases. It has established one of the largest Asian AMD cohort studies in the world.

8
ophthalmologists

> 54,000
outpatient visits a year (2024)

> 23,000

anti-VEGF injections administered annually

“Our department has afaculty of expertise in all aspects of medical retina. We strive to combine the innovation, technology and research to provide our patients with high quality, safe and cost-effective care.” 

Clinical Associate Professor Anna Tan

Head and Senior Consultant

Medical Retina Department