Dr Yap Zhu Li

Dr Yap Zhu Li heads the complex anterior segment service which is focused on the most surgically complex cataract and anterior segment conditions, including subluxed and dislocated lenses, trauma-related eye injuries, and cyclodialysis clefts. Having undertaken dual subspecialty training, her practice also covers the full range of glaucoma treatment and general cataract surgery, and she offers a wide selection of premium multifocal and extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses for patients seeking reduced dependence on glasses.

Dr Yap trained at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), where she served as Chief Resident. She was later awarded the Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) scholarship for a fellowship in Advanced Glaucoma and Complex Anterior Segment Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London — one of the world's foremost eye hospitals. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK) and has been an accredited specialist since 2017.

Dr Yap is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the SingHealth Duke-NUS Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme and a Clinical Lecturer at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, where she trains fellows, residents, medical students, and allied health professionals. She was awarded the Singhealth outstanding faculty award in 2025. Her academic work includes research into novel drugs, devices, and surgical techniques for the treatment of glaucoma, and she has co-authored several book chapters and reference texts in ophthalmology.

Passionate about giving back to the community, Dr Yap has contributed extensively to humanitarian eye care initiatives in Singapore and abroad, including work with The Fred Hollows Foundation, and the Myanmar Eye Care Project. She currently leads the Outreach and Advocacy arm of SNEC-Global Ophthalmology.

• FRCOphth (2017)
• M Med(Ophth) (2015)
• MBBS (2009)

• ​Clinical Assistant Professor, SingHealth Duke-NUS Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme
• Clinical Lecturer, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Social Secretary, Glaucoma Association of Singapore
• Exco Member, Singapore Society of Ophthalmologists, Singapore
• Vice President, International Society of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeons, Singapore Chapter

• APAO Leadership Development Program (2026)
• Singhealth Outstanding Faculty Award (2025)
• APAO Rising Star Award (2024)
• HMDP Award (2019)
• Outstanding Resident Award, SingHealth (2016)
• MOH Training Award (2012 - 2017)

1. Yap ZL, KangHua HL, Quilat KK, Htoon HM, Chong WGW, Husain R, Chong RS, Wong TT.J Comparison of Ziemer LDV Z8 femtosecond laser pretreatment of cataract and conventional phacoemulsification in primary angle closure disease (PACD).

2. Yap ZL, Seet LF, Chu SW, Toh LZ, Ibrahim FI, Wong TT. Effect of valproic acid on functional bleb morphology in a rabbit model of minimally invasive surgery. Br J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jul;106(7):1028-1036. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318691. Epub 2021 Jul 15.

3. Yap ZL, Verma S, Lee YF, Ong C, Mohla A, Perera SA. Glaucoma related retinal oximetry: a technology update. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018 Jan. Volume 2018:12 Pages 79—84

4. Yap ZL, Ong C, Lee YF, Tsai A, Cheng C, Nongpiur ME, Perera SA. Retinal Oximetry in Subjects With Glaucomatous Hemifield Asymmetry. J Glaucoma. 2017 Apr;26(4):367-372

5. Yap ZL, Chin YC, Nongpiur M, Teh G, Ku J, Chan TK, Perera SA. Bleb related infections: Clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes in an Asian population. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016 Nov 18;10:2303-2309