Ava Eye Clinic - Eye Specialists in Novena Singapore

doctor — Novena · Singapore

About Ava Eye Clinic - Eye Specialists in Novena Singapore

Ava Eye Clinic is a specialist eye care clinic in the Novena area of central Singapore, headed by Medical Director Dr Audrey Looi, who brings over 20 years of high-volume clinical experience in general and subspecialised eye conditions. Dr Looi is an internationally renowned oculoplastic surgeon and previously served as Head of the Oculoplastic Service and Clinical Director of the General Eye Clinic at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC).

The clinic's team also includes Dr Lee Sao Bing, a highly qualified eye specialist with international fellowship training, a Doctorate in Medicine, and more than 20,000 surgeries performed, offering expertise in refractive procedures, cornea health and specialised paediatric eye care. He formerly served as Medical Director of Shinagawa Eye Centre and Head of Cornea Service at the National University Hospital. Every doctor at Ava Eye Clinic is fully registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and accredited by the Specialist Accreditation Board.

Ava Eye Clinic provides three main service categories: general ophthalmology, oculoplastic services, and refractive surgery, covering everything from cataract surgery, glaucoma and diabetic eye management to ptosis, eyelid and thyroid eye disease surgery, and LASIK or Trans PRK laser vision correction. The clinic is also approved by the Ministry of Health to provide teleconsultation services under the Remote Medical Only Services Delivery (Remote MOSD) framework, though patients needing essential or life-saving treatment should not use remote consultation.

Ava Eye Clinic: Specialist Eye Care in Novena, Singapore

Ava Eye Clinic is a specialist eye care practice based in the Novena area of central Singapore, built around the expertise of Medical Director Dr Audrey Looi and refractive and cornea specialist Dr Lee Sao Bing. Together they offer a full spectrum of eye care, from routine screening through to complex oculoplastic and refractive surgery.

Specialists with serious credentials

Dr Audrey Looi brings more than 20 years of high-volume clinical experience managing both general and subspecialised eye conditions, and is internationally renowned as an oculoplastic surgeon. Before founding Ava Eye Clinic, she served as Head of the Oculoplastic Service and Clinical Director of the General Eye Clinic at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). Dr Lee Sao Bing joins the practice with international fellowship training, a Doctorate in Medicine, and more than 20,000 surgeries under his belt, with particular expertise in refractive procedures, cornea health, and specialised paediatric eye care. He previously served as Medical Director of Shinagawa Eye Centre and Head of Cornea Service at the National University Hospital. Every doctor practising at the clinic is fully registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and accredited by the Specialist Accreditation Board, having completed rigorous, multi-year residency and fellowship training.

Three areas of specialist care

Ava Eye Clinic's services span general ophthalmology, oculoplastic services, and refractive surgery. General ophthalmology covers cataract surgery, dry eye solutions, diabetic eye disease monitoring and treatment, general eye screening, glaucoma monitoring and treatment, hydroxychloroquine screening, meibomian gland disease control, myopia control, pterygium surgery, contact lens problems, allergic eye disease, and recurrent corneal erosions.

On the oculoplastic side, the clinic manages the full spectrum of eyelid and orbital conditions, including double eyelid surgery, ptosis surgery (including congenital cases), entropion and ectropion surgery, epiblepharon surgery, tearing solutions, thyroid eye disease management, orbital disease management, socket and prosthetic eye interventions, and surgery for facial nerve palsy. Refractive surgery options include LASIK, Trans PRK, and corneal cross-linking (LASIK Xtra), aimed at achieving spectacle-free vision through precision laser treatment.

How care actually works at the clinic

Ava Eye Clinic answers a number of practical questions directly for patients. While an optometrist can perform vision tests and prescribe glasses or contact lenses, only a medical doctor — an ophthalmologist — is qualified to diagnose and treat eye diseases; the clinic's doctors examine internal eye structures like the lens, retina and optic nerve, something an optometrist isn't licensed to do. For surgery, many common procedures such as LASIK, cataract surgery and minor eyelid corrections are performed in Ministry of Health-accredited day-surgery centres, while more complex cases requiring a higher level of care may be scheduled at main operating theatres in private hospitals.

Post-operative care doesn't stop at the clinic door — patients who undergo surgery receive detailed post-operative instructions covering what to watch for during recovery and where to go if worrying symptoms arise, with more complex cases sometimes kept overnight for safety. On wait times, the clinic aims to have patients seen by the doctor within 30 minutes of their scheduled appointment, though a comprehensive first eye exam involves several steps — an initial work-up, specialist review, pupil-dilating drops that take 20 to 30 minutes to work, various tests, and a final detailed examination — so it's worth allowing extra time.

Teleconsultation and getting started

Ava Eye Clinic is approved by the Ministry of Health to offer teleconsultation services under the Remote Medical Only Services Delivery (Remote MOSD) framework, giving patients a remote option for suitable consultations — though those needing essential or life-saving treatment should seek in-person care rather than a remote appointment.

Visiting the clinic

Ava Eye Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays. Located in Novena, in central Singapore, the clinic can be reached by phone to book a consultation with Dr Audrey Looi or Dr Lee Sao Bing, or online for a teleconsultation appointment where appropriate.

Signature items

  • Cataract Surgery
  • Ptosis Surgery
  • LASIK
  • Double Eyelid Surgery
  • Dry Eye Solutions
  • Myopia Control

Menu

Refractive Surgery

  • LASIK — Laser vision correction for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism
  • Trans PRK — Laser vision correction procedure
  • Corneal Cross-Linking (LASIK Xtra) — Corneal cross-linking treatment

Oculoplastic Services

  • Double Eyelid Surgery — Double eyelid surgery
  • Ptosis Surgery — Surgery for drooping eyelid (ptosis)
  • Congenital Ptosis Surgery — Ptosis surgery for congenital cases
  • Entropion Surgery — Surgery for inward-turning eyelid
  • Ectropion Surgery — Surgery for outward-turning eyelid
  • Epiblepharon Surgery — Surgery for epiblepharon
  • Tearing Solutions — Solutions for excessive tearing
  • Thyroid Eye Disease Management — Management of thyroid eye disease
  • Orbital Disease Management — Management of orbital disorders
  • Socket/Prosthetic Eye Interventions — Interventions for eye socket and prosthetic eyes
  • Surgery For Facial Nerve Palsy — Surgical treatment related to facial nerve palsy

General Ophthalmology Services

  • Cataract Surgery — Surgical treatment for cataracts
  • Dry Eye Solutions — Treatment for dry eye
  • Diabetic Eye Disease Monitoring And Treatment — Monitoring and treatment for diabetic eye disease
  • General Eye Screening — General eye screening services
  • Glaucoma Monitoring And Treatment — Monitoring and treatment for glaucoma
  • Hydroxychloroquine Screening — Screening related to hydroxychloroquine use
  • Meibomian Gland Disease Control — Control of meibomian gland disease
  • Myopia Control — Screening and control of myopia
  • Pterygium Surgery — Surgical treatment for pterygium
  • Contact Lens Problems — Management of contact lens-related issues
  • Allergic Eye Disease — Treatment for allergic eye conditions
  • Recurrent Cornea Erosions — Treatment for recurrent corneal erosions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an ophthalmologist or can an optometrist handle my routine check-up?
An optometrist can perform vision tests and prescribe glasses or contact lenses, but a medical doctor (ophthalmologist) is required for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including examining internal structures like the lens, retina and optic nerve.
Are the doctors fully registered and accredited as specialists?
Yes, all doctors at Ava Eye Clinic are fully registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and accredited by the Specialist Accreditation Board.
Is surgery performed at the clinic or at a hospital?
Common procedures like LASIK, cataract surgery and minor eyelid corrections are performed in MOH-accredited day-surgery centres, while more complex cases are scheduled at main operating theatres in private hospitals.
Does the clinic provide after-hours support after a procedure?
Yes, patients receive detailed post-operative instructions on what to watch for and where to go if worrying symptoms occur; complex cases may be kept overnight for safety.
How long is the typical wait time for an appointment?
The clinic aims to have patients seen within 30 minutes of their scheduled time, though a comprehensive first eye exam takes longer due to work-up, dilation drops (20-30 minutes) and testing.
What are Ava Eye Clinic's opening hours?
Monday to Friday 9am–5.30pm, Saturday 9am–12.30pm, closed Sundays and public holidays.
Is teleconsultation available?
Yes, under the MOH-approved Remote Medical Only Services Delivery (Remote MOSD) framework, though not for essential or life-saving treatment needs.

Tips

  • {"body":"Pupil-dilating drops alone take 20-30 minutes to work, on top of work-up and testing steps.","title":"Allow extra time for a first eye exam"}
  • {"body":"Available under the Remote MOSD framework, but not for essential or life-saving treatment.","title":"Use teleconsultation for suitable matters only"}
  • {"body":"Simpler procedures happen in day-surgery centres; complex cases may be scheduled at a private hospital.","title":"Ask which surgery setting applies to you"}
  • {"body":"Specific service pricing is listed separately on the clinic's Fees page.","title":"Check the Fees page before booking"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Congenital ptosis surgery and myopia control are offered, and Dr Lee Sao Bing specialises in paediatric eye care"}