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2024/03/11
Doctor Detail

Adj Asst Prof David Chen Ziyou

Photo of Adj Asst Prof David Chen Ziyou

Designations:

  • Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital
  • Consultant, Division of Ophthalmology, Alexandra Hospital
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

Qualifications:

MBBS (S'pore), MMed (Ophth), FRCOphth, FAMS

Specialties/Sub-specialties:

Ophthalmology

Clinical Disciplines/Programmes:

Cataract, Glaucoma, Refractive Surgery

Special Interests:

Medical Technology, Biodesign, Presbyopia

Biosketch

Dr David Chen is a fellowship-trained cataract and refractive eye surgeon in the Department of Ophthalmology at National University Hospital (NUH) and Alexandra Hospital (AH). He performs cataract surgeries including femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery with premium intraocular lenses (multifocal, extended depth of focus, and toric implants) and advanced anterior segment surgeries for subluxated cataracts and intraocular lenses.

In 2021, Dr Chen received training from London Vision Clinic, and performs refractive surgeries including small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), femtoLASIK, and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia and astigmatism correction. He also performs PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision for presbyopia correction. 

Dr Chen completed his undergraduate medical training at National University of Singapore (NUS), during which he was awarded the Dean’s List for his academic performance and invited to the Dean’s Dinner for his leadership qualities. He obtained his Master of Medicine (Ophthalmology) in 2019 and his specialist accreditation in 2021. During his residency training, Dr Chen was the Chief Resident from 2019 to 2020 and completed the 7th Singapore Chief Residency Programme. 

As a clinician innovator, Dr Chen's research interests include ophthalmic imaging, medical technology, and anterior segment surgeries. He has been awarded multiple research grants to develop novel medical devices and improve accessibility for community eye care. In 2022, he became the first ophthalmologist in Singapore to complete the nationally-competitive Singapore Biodesign Innovation Fellowship, a global affiliate of the renowned Stanford Biodesign program.

Dr Chen is an NUS Adjunct Assistant Professor and regularly mentors medical students from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. He has received multiple teaching awards from different organisations. 

In his free time, Dr Chen enjoys unwinding with his family and dog. He is also an avid fan of travel and photography.

Awards

2025 - NUHS Teaching Excellence Award
2024 - Health Manpower Development Plan Fellowship Learning Development Award
2024 - Research Mentor Award, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
2024 - Singapore Health Quality Service Award (Gold) 
2023 - COVID-19 Resilience Medal 
2023 - Young Eye Care Ambassador, Eye and Vision Health Awards, Singapore
2023 - Singapore Medical Association Charity Fund Outstanding Mentor Award
2023 - Great Teacher Award, National University Hospital
2022 - National Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship Award
2021 - Certificate of Appreciation (COVID-19 Community Care Facilities)
2021 - Singapore Biodesign Innovation Fellowship
2020 - NUHS Young Clinician Mentor Award

Journals & Publications

  1. Loh NC, Pothakamuri TK, Chen DZ. Enhanced monofocal versus conventional monofocal intraocular lenses: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Can J Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 25:S0008-4182(25)00359-X. [IF – 2.8]
  2. Srinivasan S, Ji H, Chen DZ, et al. Can off-the-shelf visual large language models detect and diagnose ocular diseases from retinal photographs? BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2025 Apr 7;10(1):e002076. [IF - 2.4]
  3. Pushpanathan K, Zou M, Chen DZ, et al. Can OpenAI's New o1 Model Outperform Its Predecessors in Common Eye Care Queries? Ophthalmol Sci. 2025 Feb 22;5(4):100745. [IF - 4.6]
  4. Chen DZ, Tham YC, Shen L, et al. A Comparative Validation Study of Near Visual Acuity Assessment Using Different Handheld Acuity Charts. Ophthalmol Sci. 2025 Apr 8;5(5):100790. [IF - 4.6]
  5. Hong ASY, Jin E, Chen DZ, et al. Monovision versus multifocality for presbyopia during primary phacoemulsification: systematic review and network meta-analysis. Eye (Lond). 2025 Feb;39(2):251-261. [IF - 3.2]
  6. Ng WWV, Thiyagarajan S, Tan C, Chen DZ. A survey exploring ophthalmologists' attitudes and beliefs in performing immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery in Singapore. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Nov;52(8):811-818. [IF - 5.6]
  7. Chen DZ, Chee SP. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for complex cataracts - A review. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2024 May 1;72(5):629-636. [IF - 1.8]
  8. Chen DZ, Hernstadt DJ, Lin HA, et al. Rupture of a posterior polar cataract after peribulbar block. Can J Ophthalmol. 2024 Oct;59(5):e629-e630. [IF - 2.8]
  9. Jin E, Lee CE, Li H, Tham YC, Chen DZ. Association between sleep and myopia in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Jul;262(7):2027-2038. [IF - 2.3]
  10. Chen DZ, Wong C, Lam JSH, et al. Axial length elongation profiles from 3 to 6 years in an Asian paediatric population: the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes birth cohort study (GUSTO). Br J Ophthalmol. 2024 Jun 20;108(7):1018-1023.  [IF - 3.5]

Professional Memberships

  • College of Ophthalmologists, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
  • The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, United Kingdom
  • American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
  • Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery 

2025/09/19
1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Singapore 119228
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National University Health System
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