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The Hong Kong Eye and Vision Research Forum

PolyU Optometry Research Impact Ranked Top of Asia and 15 Globally

PolyU School of Optometry has been ranked 15 out of the approximately 245 optometry schools globally, as shown in a recently published bibliometric analysis. Among the top 20 optometry schools, PolyU is the only one listed institution in Asia.  According to the publication, the top 20 optometry schools with the highest research impact are found in seven countries/regions: US (8); UK (5); Australia (3); Canada (1); Hong Kong (1); New Zealand (1); and Portugal (1). The ranking implies that PolyU Optometry is one of the top 6% optometry schools in the world and the leader in Asia.  PolyU School of Optometry’s research impact is highly regarded in the international academic community, particularly in myopia control, diabetic retinopathy and cornea biometry.

Prof. George Woo to Receive Honorary Doctorate from Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Prof. George Woo, Emeritus Professor and Senior Advisor at PolyU’s School of Optometry receives honorary doctorates from Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) in recognition of his valuable achievements and exceptional contributions to academia and society. The conferment ceremony will be held on 1 December. A world-renowned leader in optometry and vision science, Prof. George Woo has a significant impact on global eye health. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo in Canada, and obtained his MSc and PhD degrees in Physiological Optics from Indiana University in the United States. He is a Fellow and a Diplomate in Low Vision of the American Academy of Optometry. Prof. Woo started his academic career in the University of Waterloo in 1970 and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1996. From 1987 to 1990, he played a pivotal role in promoting the development of optometry when he was serving as the founding Head and Professor of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences of the then Hong Kong Polytechnic, where he earned the title Emeritus Professor from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2011. Besides serving on numerous local and international optometry, health and research committees, Prof. Woo is also a passionate volunteer of The Samaritan. Apart from looking after patients with physical impairment, he also extended his concern towards the mental health of people. He later became the Chairman of The Samaritans’ Board of Directors from 2015 to 2019, leading it in expanding the scope of services to protect lives. Prof. Woo’s eminent accomplishments in optometry, as well as altruistic devotion and full display of humanitarian spirit were highly remarked. He was awarded the “Hong Kong Humanity Award 2020” from Hong Kong Red Cross in 2020.

Establishment of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV)

The Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) was established on 1 October 2021 which aspires to be a world leader in the creation of knowledge and solutions for the promotion of healthy life-long sharp vision. Through cutting-edge basic and applied research by a strong research team with expertise ranging from biological to clinical sciences, and from data science to engineering, RCSV aims to promote healthy development of vision, to maintain healthy life-long sharp vision, as well as to restore, regenerate and rehabilitate vision. “Research to impact” is be a prominent and recurrent motto of RCSV. All RCSV members will own and champion this ethos to pursue impactful research that benefits the world.