Restoring vision with precision. Caring for every patient with compassion
MEET THE SPECIALIST
Dr. Paul Zhao
Dr Paul Zhao Songbo — Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist & Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Singapore
Dr Paul Zhao is a fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon and Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist in private practice in Singapore. He is the Director of Retina Services at Eagle Eye Centre, with clinics at Mount Alvernia Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Orchard, and Parkway East Hospital.
With over 20 years of clinical experience and more than 2,000 vitreoretinal surgeries and more than 5000 cataract surgeries performed, Dr Zhao specialises in the medical and surgical management of cataract and retinal diseases, including retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion, and dislocated or subluxed intraocular lenses.
He is a Committee Member of the Retina Society of Singapore and holds visiting consultant appointments at the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Alexandra Hospital, and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). He is also a Council Member of the College of Ophthalmologists, Singapore.
Qualifications and Credentials
Professional Appointments
"Advancing ophthalmology through rigorous research and clinical trials is fundamental to improving patient outcomes worldwide."
Director of Retina Services, Eagle Eye Centre, Singapore
Committee Member, Retina Society of Singapore
Visiting Senior Consultant, National University Hospital
Visiting Senior Consultant, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
Visiting Senior Consultant, Alexandra Hospital
Visiting Consultant in Ophthalmology, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
Former Director, Medical Manpower Office, National University Health System
AREAS OF CLINICAL EXPERTISE
Dr Zhao's practice focuses on the full spectrum of medical and surgical retina:
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Retinal detachment surgery, including complex and diabetic tractional retinal detachments
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Macular hole and epiretinal membrane (macular pucker) surgery
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Diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy and vitreous haemorrhage
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), medical and intravitreal therapy
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Retinal vein occlusion and other retinal vascular conditions
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Dislocated and subluxed intraocular lenses, including sutureless scleral-fixation techniques
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Micro-incision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) which reduces the need for suturing of wounds
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Cataract surgery and the use of Premium lenses such as Extended Depth of FOcus(EDOF) and Multifocal intraocular lenses.
Research and Academic Contributions
Dr Zhao has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications in international ophthalmology journals, including Nature Biomedical Engineering, the British Journal of Ophthalmology, Retina, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology, and Ophthalmology Retina. His research spans retinal detachment repair, medical retina therapeutics, diabetic macular oedema management, and high myopia and its impact on retinal structure and visual function in Asian populations.
He has participated in international multicentre clinical trials for retinal disease treatments, including studies on intravitreal therapies for diabetic macular oedema, neovascularAMD, and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PLANET, RHINE, LUCERNE, VELODROME), in collaboration with A*STAR, the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), and restructured hospitals in Singapore.
Selected publications:
Liu Z, Liow SS, Lai SL, et al. Retinal-detachment repair and vitreous-like-body reformation via a thermogelling polymer endotamponade. Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2019. [PMID: 30962587]
Iu LP, Zhao P, Yeung IY, et al. Sequential therapy with ranibizumab and dexamethasone intravitreal implant is better than dexamethasone monotherapy for macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2014. [PMID: 25138756]
Koh V, Tan C, Tan PT, et al. Myopic Maculopathy and Optic Disc Changes in Highly Myopic Young Asian Eyes and Impact on Visual Acuity. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2016. [PMID: 26850176]
Diabetic Macular Edema Management in Asian Population: Expert Panel Consensus Guidelines. Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology, 2020. [PMID: 32956188]
Chay IW, Lin ST, Lim EWL, et al. Higher order aberrations and visualfunction in a young Asian population of high myopes. Heliyon, 2023. [PMID: 37151700]
Wong W, Sundar G, Chee C, et al. Clinical spectrum, treatment and outcomes of uveal melanoma in a tertiary centre. Singapore Medical Journal, 2019. [PMID: 31197380]
(Full publication list verified via ORCID: 0009-0000-9494-5168, 23 works, record last updated 15 June 2026)
Insurance and Accreditation
Dr Zhao is on the panel for most major personal and corporate insurers in Singapore, including Income, AIA, Great Eastern, Prudential, Singlife, HSBC, and corporate panels such as AIA Adept, Alliance, Bupa, IHP, IXCHANGE, and MHC.