Diabetic Retinal Screening in Singapore
Senior optometrist-led diabetic eye screening for $99, at The Straits Eye Community Clinic in Bedok, Clementi and Toa Payoh.
- 9 tests, 45 minutes to an hour
- Report reviewed by an ophthalmologist
- Retinal photograph, dilated where necessary
ClementiBedokToa Payoh
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Generally painless
Gentle, non-invasive checks, and staff who put you at ease.
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One visit, 45 minutes to an hour
Dilating drops are used where necessary and blur near vision for several hours, so plan not to drive yourself afterwards.
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Three clinics
Bedok, Clementi and Toa Payoh, and no need to come back for results. Our staff email you the report.
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What a diabetic retinal screening is
A diabetic retinal screening — also called a diabetic eye screening or an eye check-up for diabetes — is a set of non-invasive checks on the retina, the layer at the back of the eye that diabetes can affect. At our community clinics in Bedok, Clementi and Toa Payoh it is senior optometrist-led, takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs $99, and every report is reviewed by an ophthalmologist.
Diabetes may affect the retina before symptoms become noticeable. Regular retinal screening can help identify diabetes-related eye changes and support timely referral where further assessment is required.
This is the only one of the four packages that uses dilating drops, and only where necessary — they widen the pupil so the retina can be photographed properly.
They blur near vision for several hours, so please do not drive yourself home, and bring sunglasses if you have them.
Living with diabetes? Talk to our friendly staff for a same-day appointment (subject to availability).
Diabetic retinal screening price and what is included
One price, and it covers every test below and the report.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Diabetic retinal screening | $99 |
Prices shown are for our community clinics at Bedok, Clementi and Toa Payoh. All fees shown are nett.
What is included
- Visual acuity How clearly you see on a Snellen letter chart.
- Automated refraction A machine estimate of your spectacle prescription.
- Eye pressure check Tonometry — measurement of the pressure inside the eye.
- Slit lamp examination A magnified look at the eye, layer by layer.
- Doctor-reviewed report
- Prescription screening
- Fundus photo A photograph of the retina, at the back of the eye.
- Amsler test A grid chart that checks central vision.
- Anterior segment OCT A cross-section scan of the front of the eye.
The table below shows what it leaves out — Colour vision test, Visual field testing and Posterior segment OCT — and the comprehensive screening adds every one of them.
How it compares with our other screenings
Every package shares the same core tests. This is the only one that dilates.
| Test | Cataract $29 Cloudy vision, glare sensitivity, or difficulty seeing at night. | General $99 Routine eye health reviews, prescription checks and general vision assessment. | Diabetic retinal $99 Individuals living with diabetes who require retinal monitoring. | Comprehensive $249 A more detailed assessment, including side vision and a scan of the retina. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In every package | ||||
| Visual acuity How clearly you see on a Snellen letter chart. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Automated refraction A machine estimate of your spectacle prescription. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Eye pressure check Tonometry — measurement of the pressure inside the eye. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Slit lamp examination A magnified look at the eye, layer by layer. | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Doctor-reviewed report | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| What each package adds | ||||
| Prescription screening | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Fundus photo A photograph of the retina, at the back of the eye. | Not included | Included Non-dilated | Included Dilated where necessary | Included Non-dilated |
| Amsler test A grid chart that checks central vision. | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| Colour vision test A check for colour vision deficiency. | Not included | Included | Not included | Included |
| Anterior segment OCT A cross-section scan of the front of the eye. | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Visual field testing A check of your side vision. | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Posterior segment OCT A cross-section scan of the retina. | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
Prices shown are for our community clinics at Bedok, Clementi and Toa Payoh. All fees shown are nett.
When to book a diabetic retinal screening
Individuals living with diabetes who require retinal monitoring.
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Living with diabetes
Retinal monitoring for people whose diabetes is being managed.
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No symptoms yet
Diabetes may affect the retina before symptoms become noticeable.
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Keeping track over time
Regular screening is how diabetes-related changes are found and followed.
After your diabetic retinal screening
Three steps, and all three are included in the price.
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01
Your screening
One of our optometrists carries out the 9 tests.
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02
Reviewed by a doctor
Your results are reviewed by an ophthalmologist.
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03
Your report
Our staff email you the report.
There is also an option to follow up with our Primary Eye Care Physician for $76.30 nett. Where the screening finds diabetes-related changes that need specialist care, you are referred on to an eye specialist.
40
The age to start
How often should you have a diabetic eye screening?
A baseline comprehensive eye examination is recommended at the age of 40, even when nothing feels wrong — it is when the early signs of cataract, glaucoma and diabetic changes first become detectable.
| From age 40 | At least once |
|---|---|
| With diabetes | At least once a year |
Come sooner for anything new in between — blurring · glare · floaters · pain or redness.
Your interval may be shorter if you have a family history or an existing eye condition.
Common questions
What is a diabetic retinal screening?
It is a set of checks aimed at the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that diabetes can affect. One of our optometrists carries out 9 tests, including a photograph of the retina. Your results are reviewed by an ophthalmologist, and our staff email you the report.
What does a diabetic eye screening look for?
Mainly diabetic retinopathy — damage to the small blood vessels of the retina that diabetes can cause. The retinal photograph is what shows it, and your report says what was seen. Diabetic retinopathy can develop before anything looks or feels different, and it can affect sight if it goes unnoticed.
How much does a diabetic eye screening cost in Singapore?
A diabetic retinal screening is $99 nett at our community clinics in Bedok, Clementi and Toa Payoh. That covers all 9 tests and the doctor-reviewed report.
How long does a diabetic retinal screening take?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Where dilating drops are needed the visit takes longer, because the drops have to take effect before the photograph is taken.
Can I drive after a diabetic retinal screening?
Plan not to. This is the one screening where dilating drops are used where necessary, and they blur near vision for several hours. Bring sunglasses, and arrange to get home another way if you can.
Does a diabetic retinal screening include an OCT scan?
It includes an anterior segment OCT, a cross-section scan of the front of the eye. The retina itself is photographed rather than scanned in this package; a posterior segment OCT, which scans the retina in cross-section, is part of the comprehensive screening. The difference between the two kinds of OCT scan is set out in full on its own page.
What is the difference between a diabetic retinal screening and a general eye screening?
Both are $99 at our community clinics and both include the same five core tests. The diabetic retinal screening adds an Amsler test and dilates the pupil where necessary so the retina can be photographed properly; the general screening adds a colour vision test instead and photographs the retina undilated.
What happens if the screening finds diabetic changes in my retina?
Your report says what was seen. Where it needs specialist care you are referred on to an eye specialist, and the screening is what makes that referral timely rather than late.
Book a diabetic retinal screening
Tell us a little about your diabetes and we will find you a time at Bedok, Clementi or Toa Payoh. If another screening suits you better, we will say so.
