Dr Val Phua

Dr Val Phua is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist and Director of Cataract & Refractive Surgery & Comprehensive Ophthalmic Services at Eagle Eye Centre, Singapore. He specialises in cataract surgery, refractive surgery, myopia control, and the management of a wide range of general eye conditions.

His clinical interests include cataract surgery with premium intraocular lenses, presbyopia management, implantable collamer lens (EVO ICL) surgery, laser vision correction including TransPRK, PRK, Femto-LASIK, customised LASIK and SMILE, as well as the treatment of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases, uveitis and pterygium.

Training and Qualifications

Dr Phua graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and completed his specialist Ophthalmology training at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). He subsequently obtained a Master of Medicine (Ophthalmology) from NUS and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth), London. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS).

Committed to providing the highest standards of patient care, Dr Phua regularly attends international ophthalmology conferences and training programmes to remain at the forefront of advances in cataract surgery, refractive surgery, myopia control and retinal disease management.

Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Dr Phua has a special interest in helping patients achieve greater visual freedom through modern surgical solutions. He performs cataract surgery using advanced premium intraocular lenses that can reduce dependence on spectacles and correct astigmatism and presbyopia.

He is also experienced in EVO ICL surgery and laser vision correction procedures including LASIK, SMILE and PRK. By tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s lifestyle, visual goals and eye characteristics, he aims to provide personalised solutions that optimise both vision and quality of life.

Research and Academic Contributions

In addition to clinical practice, Dr Phua remains actively involved in ophthalmic research and medical education. His research interests span high myopia, retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy, cataract surgery, clinical quality improvement and ophthalmic education.

His work has been published in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals including Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), American Journal of Ophthalmology, Current Diabetes Reports, BMJ Open Quality, and BMJ Simulation & Technology Enhanced Learning. His research has been presented at major international meetings including the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ophthalmic Congress (MS-JOC). His publication record includes research on myopic macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy biomarkers, retinal surgery outcomes, patient safety initiatives and cataract surgery education.

Teaching and Education

Passionate about teaching and mentorship, Dr Phua actively contributes to the education of medical students, junior doctors, optometrists and ophthalmology trainees.

He is the first author of Fundamental OSCE Guide in Ophthalmology and a contributing author to Practical Guide to VIVA and OSCE in Ophthalmology Examinations. He also regularly conducts educational talks and continuing medical education (CME) sessions for healthcare professionals.

Awards and Recognition

Dr Phua’s contributions to refractive surgery have been recognised internationally. He received the Young EVO ICL Ophthalmologist Award at the 3rd EVO ICL APAC Experts Summit in Okinawa, Japan, and was the only Singaporean recipient of the EVO ICL Toric 3000 Award at the STAAR Surgical Experts Meeting in Guangzhou, China.

These awards reflect his commitment to advancing refractive surgery and delivering excellent visual outcomes for patients.

Media and Public Education

Dr Phua believes that public education is an important part of preventing avoidable vision loss. He has been featured in media interviews and educational programmes discussing topics such as cataracts, myopia control, contact lens safety, and advances in vision correction surgery.

Through public talks, radio interviews and healthcare education initiatives, he seeks to empower patients to make informed decisions about their eye health.

Humanitarian and Overseas Medical Missions

Beyond Singapore, Dr Phua has participated in numerous overseas humanitarian eye missions, providing sight-restoring surgery and specialist eye care to underserved communities.

His outreach work includes cataract surgery missions in Nepal alongside renowned ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit, where high-volume, cost-effective surgical techniques have helped restore vision to hundreds of patients. He has also served on medical missions in Cambodia with the Khmer Sight Foundation, working alongside international teams of ophthalmologists, anaesthetists, nurses, optometrists and volunteers to provide cataract and pterygium surgery to patients with limited access to eye care.

These experiences have reinforced his belief that sight is one of the greatest gifts that medicine can offer and continue to shape his commitment to compassionate patient care.

Life Beyond Medicine

Outside of ophthalmology, Dr Phua is a devoted Christian, husband and father. He is actively involved in teaching Sunday school and values a life centred on faith, family and service.

A former competitive swimmer and water polo player, he captained the water polo teams of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College before representing Singapore at the FINA Junior Water Polo World Championships. Today, he continues to maintain an active lifestyle through regular exercise, tennis and community involvement.

Dr Phua’s philosophy is simple: to combine clinical excellence, compassionate care and evidence-based medicine to help every patient see clearly and live confidently.

Professional memberships:

• Ministry of Health, Specialist Accreditation Board – Accredited Specialist
• Singapore Medical Council – Registered Specialist
• Singapore Medical Association – Member
• Academy of Medicine Singapore – Fellow
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists – Fellow
• American Academy of Ophthalmologists – Member