SINGAPORE : Singapore's largest private Lasik centre has just opened its doors to tap into the growing demand for laser corrective eye surgery in Asia.
Shinagawa Lasik Centre is a joint venture between the public and private sectors aiming to tap into Singapore's growing reputation in the region as a medical hub.
The new 6,000 square foot clinic is a collaboration between a Japanese Lasik clinic, a local eye care company and Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) Eye Associates.
The tie-up is unusual, as both SNEC and the local eye care company, Capitol Optical, offer services that appear to compete with the new Lasik centre.
SNEC Eye Associates is the private arm of the Singapore National Eye Centre that also does Lasik surgery. But its spokesman said there are more benefits to the venture than meets the eye.
Dr Chan Wing Kwong, Head, SNEC Eye Associates, said: "The intent of this collaboration is to increase the pie for Lasik services in Singapore by providing cost effective good quality Lasik to more and more Singaporeans."
The S$4 million centre employs the IntraLase Method of surgery. It is aiming for an initial target of 2,000 procedures a month.
Dr Chan said: "There are only so many Lasik operations you can do for Singaporeans... and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In South East Asia there are many more myopic patients who are looking for good high-quality Lasik surgery, and by embarking on this venture, we hope to encourage more foreign medical tourists to come to Singapore to have Lasik surgery."
Some 30,000 Lasik procedures were performed in Singapore last year. The Shinagawa Lasik Centre is eyeing half of all Lasik surgeries performed here in the next five years. - CNA/ms
Article from: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/345223/1/.html
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