What does an ophthalmologist treat?

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions related to eye diseases and vision problems. In Hong Kong, ophthalmologists are registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK). Common reasons to see one include cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment and floaters, dry eye, short-sightedness in children.

How much does an ophthalmologist cost in Hong Kong?

Consultation fees for ophthalmologists in Hong Kong typically range from $400 to $1500, with a median fee of $700.

How many ophthalmologists are in Hong Kong?

There are 347 registered ophthalmologists in Hong Kong across 15 districts.

When should you see an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong?

An optometrist checks vision and fits glasses; an ophthalmologist is a doctor who treats eye disease and operates. Sudden vision loss, a shadow across the field of view or a sudden shower of floaters are the kind of problem ophthalmologists see urgently rather than by routine appointment.

Do you need a referral to see an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong?

No referral needed. Bring your glasses and any optometrist report, and expect dilating drops that blur vision for a few hours｜so plan not to drive afterwards.

How long is the public-hospital wait to see an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong?

In the public system, new referrals are seen through Eye specialist out-patient clinics. Hospital Authority figures for 01 July 2025 – 30 June 2026 show 50% of new bookings were triaged as stable cases, with a median wait of 24 weeks to 70 weeks depending on cluster.

Which ophthalmologist is good?

ok.med does not rate or recommend individual doctors — we hold no outcome or satisfaction data, and should not pretend to. What can be checked objectively: whether the doctor is registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong and holds the relevant specialist qualification; whether their focus matches your condition (the reasons to see one, listed above); whether a GP referral is required; and whether the clinic's location and hours suit you. Browse every registered ophthalmologists by district below and compare on those points yourself.

Best Ophthalmology in Hong Kong

Looking for a Ophthalmology in Hong Kong? Browse registered specialists across 15 districts to find the right doctor for you.

HK$400 – $1500Median consultation fee: $700

All Ophthalmology doctors

347 registered Ophthalmology doctors

Browse by District

Central & Western District Eastern District Kowloon City District Kwai Tsing District Kwun Tong District Sai Kung District Sha Tin District Sham Shui Po District Southern District Tsuen Wan District Tuen Mun District Wan Chai District Wong Tai Sin District Yau Tsim Mong District Yuen Long District

See all 347 Ophthalmology doctors →

Ophthalmology consultation fees →

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What Ophthalmology covers

Conditions treated: cataract
glaucoma
diabetic eye disease
retinal detachment and floaters
dry eye
short-sightedness in children
When to see one instead of a GP: An optometrist checks vision and fits glasses; an ophthalmologist is a doctor who treats eye disease and operates. Sudden vision loss, a shadow across the field of view or a sudden shower of floaters are the kind of problem ophthalmologists see urgently rather than by routine appointment.
Do you need a referral?: No referral needed. Bring your glasses and any optometrist report, and expect dilating drops that blur vision for a few hours｜so plan not to drive afterwards.

Ophthalmology in Hong Kong

Short-sightedness among Hong Kong schoolchildren is common. The Department of Health's Student Health Service assessed about 429,000 primary and secondary students in the 2024/25 school year and found 46.8% already wearing glasses｜34.9% of primary students and 64.4% of secondary students｜with a further 17.3% failing the vision test or found to have another eye problem needing further assessment.
Source: Legislative Council reply, citing the Department of Health Student Health Service. Data: 2024/25.
About 69,700 patients were waiting for cataract surgery in Hong Kong public hospitals as of late 2024. The overall actual median waiting time was 14 months, with the 90th percentile｜the longest waits｜at 38 months. The Government has clarified that the 4.3-year and 4.6-year figures sometimes quoted for the Kowloon West and New Territories West Clusters are themselves 90th-percentile figures, not the median wait.
Source: Legislative Council reply, Government of the HKSAR. Data: 2024.

Public waiting times for ophthalmology

In the public system, new ophthalmology referrals are seen through Eye specialist out-patient clinics. Of 150,517 new bookings over the year, 50% were triaged as stable cases, with a median wait ranging from 24 weeks to 70 weeks depending on cluster, and a longest recorded case of 114 weeks. Cases triaged as urgent had a median wait of less than 1 week or less.

Median wait for stable cases, by cluster
Cluster	Median	Longest
Hong Kong East	24 weeks	58 weeks
Hong Kong West	36 weeks	55 weeks
Kowloon Central	32 weeks	67 weeks
Kowloon East	38 weeks	100 weeks
Kowloon West	43 weeks	98 weeks
New Territories East	70 weeks	114 weeks
New Territories West	31 weeks	78 weeks

Privately, the median listed first-consultation fee for ophthalmology on ok.med is HK$700, from 63 clinics that publish a price.

Source: Hospital Authority — Eye specialist out-patient waiting times, covering 01 July 2025 – 30 June 2026.

FAQ

What does an ophthalmologist treat?: An ophthalmologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions related to eye diseases and vision problems. In Hong Kong, ophthalmologists are registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK). Common reasons to see one include cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment and floaters, dry eye, short-sightedness in children.
How much does an ophthalmologist cost in Hong Kong?: Consultation fees for ophthalmologists in Hong Kong typically range from $400 to $1500, with a median fee of $700.
How many ophthalmologists are in Hong Kong?: There are 347 registered ophthalmologists in Hong Kong across 15 districts.
When should you see an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong?: An optometrist checks vision and fits glasses; an ophthalmologist is a doctor who treats eye disease and operates. Sudden vision loss, a shadow across the field of view or a sudden shower of floaters are the kind of problem ophthalmologists see urgently rather than by routine appointment.
Do you need a referral to see an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong?: No referral needed. Bring your glasses and any optometrist report, and expect dilating drops that blur vision for a few hours｜so plan not to drive afterwards.
How long is the public-hospital wait to see an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong?: In the public system, new referrals are seen through Eye specialist out-patient clinics. Hospital Authority figures for 01 July 2025 – 30 June 2026 show 50% of new bookings were triaged as stable cases, with a median wait of 24 weeks to 70 weeks depending on cluster.
Which ophthalmologist is good?: ok.med does not rate or recommend individual doctors — we hold no outcome or satisfaction data, and should not pretend to. What can be checked objectively: whether the doctor is registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong and holds the relevant specialist qualification; whether their focus matches your condition (the reasons to see one, listed above); whether a GP referral is required; and whether the clinic's location and hours suit you. Browse every registered ophthalmologists by district below and compare on those points yourself.