Eight SO Scholars Ranked Among the World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists 2026

The School of Optometry is proud to announce that eight of its scholars have been listed among the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2026 by Stanford University. The scholars were recognized for their outstanding research influence across two metric categories: career-long citation impact and single-year citation impact. The prestigious ranking is based on the latest “Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators” published by Elsevier and Stanford University. Evaluating over 100,000 top scientists across 20 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields globally, the database measures academic impact using standardized indicators including citation counts, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, and a composite indicator (c-score). This distinction underscores the School’s unwavering dedication to research excellence and its leading role in advancing vision science, ophthalmology, and optometry on a global scale. The School extends its warmest congratulations to our top scholars for their exceptional scientific contributions!   World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists in Ophthalmology & Optometry Career-long Citation Impact: Prof. HE Mingguang, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and HK Global STEM Scholar; Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health Prof. Maurice YAP, Emeritus Professor Prof. Marion EDWARDS, Former Head of School Single-year Citation Impact (2025): Prof. HE Mingguang, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and HK Global STEM Scholar; Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health Prof. ZHOU Lei, Professor Prof. Carly LAM, Adjunct Professor Dr SHI Danli, Research Assistant Professor Dr Peggy CHEUNG Sin-wan, Research Fellow Dr SHANG Xianwen, Research Assistant Professor (currently with the Centre for Eye and Vision Research, CEVR)  

Dr Jeremy Kang Named Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)

The School proudly announces that Dr Jeremy Kang, Research Assistant Professor, has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) in 2026. This prestigious accomplishment reflects his unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards in optometric care, evidence-based practice, and the pursuit of lifelong learning. The FAAO fellowship process is comprehensive and demanding, requiring extensive research, a thorough literature review, and the submission of detailed written case reports. Dr Kang’s efforts culminated in a successful oral examination conducted by a panel of international peers. This achievement stands as a testament to his expertise, professionalism, and dedication to advancing vision science.

Dr Lydia Yu Awarded Higher Education Academy Fellowship in Recognition of Teaching Excellence

Dr Lydia Yu, Assistant Professor of Practice at the School of Optometry, has been honoured with a Fellowship from the Advance HE (FHEA). This prestigious accolade is a globally recognised benchmark of professional distinction and leadership in teaching and student support in higher education.   A Recognised Commitment to Teaching Excellence A proud PolyU alumna with a PhD from HKU, Dr Yu is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). Her dedication to pedagogical innovation is reflected in her recent honours, including the 2025 Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching (Early Career Teacher - Individual), the 2023 Faculty Teaching Prize (Team), and multiple School of Optometry Teaching Excellence Awards. Her work encompasses clinical and public health optometry, vision rehabilitation, and the use of emerging technologies in education.   The Advance HE is a leading UK-based organization dedicated to driving teaching excellence and improving student outcomes worldwide. Fellowships are granted under the Professional Standards Framework (PSF), evaluating an educator’s commitment, leadership, and impact on teaching and learning support.

Outstanding Alumni Award Ceremony 2026

 The School of Optometry held the Student Award cum Outstanding Alumni Award Ceremony on 25 August 2026. At the ceremony, the “Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU School of Optometry” was presented to Mr Jackson Leung, while the “Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU School of Optometry” was awarded to Ms Carmen Lee, in recognition of their professional achievements and significant contributions to the School, PolyU, and the community. Dr Choi Kaiyip, Assistant Professor of Practice and the School’s Liaison for Alumni Affairs, congratulated the award recipients and expressed appreciation for their remarkable achievements. Following the award presentation, Mr Jackson Leung, recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award, and Dr Rita Sum, Residency Programme Mentor of Ms Carmen Lee, who received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award on Ms Lee’s behalf, shared their inspiring stories of success. Both awardees expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the School for its support and guidance, and spoke passionately about their aspirations and commitment to the optometry profession. Established in 2022, the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU School of Optometry aims to give public recognition to outstanding graduates for their professional achievements and significant contributions to the community and their alma mater. Our warmest congratulations go to the two award recipients. Outstanding Alumni Award Ceremony 2025/26 [Photo Gallery]

Student Award Ceremony 2025/26

The School of Optometry organised the Student Award Ceremony 2025/26 on 25 August 2026 to present 19 awards to 22 undergraduate students in recognition of their academic excellence and dedication to serving the community. This year, the School also presented 7 awards to 9 postgraduate students from the MSc in Vision Science and Innovation and Doctor of Optometry programmes, in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements. At the ceremony, Prof. Kee Chea-su, Head of School, took the opportunity to share the School’s strategic plan with students and staff. He also congratulated the awardees and expressed his appreciation to all donors for their continuous support. Thanks to the donors’ generosity, students are able to broaden their learning horizons and be empowered to pursue excellence in dispensing, project planning, and research. After the award presentation, Ms Ma Liangzhen, student representative of the MSc in Vision Science and Innovation programme, shared her fruitful learning experience in the programme. Another student representative, Mr Lo Kwan Yuk Michael from Year 4, shared his meaningful service-learning trip to Indonesia. Our warmest congratulations to all scholarship and award recipients.   Student Award Ceremony 2025/26 [Photo Gallery]   Name of Award/ Scholarship (Undergraduates) Awardee Carl Zeiss Award for Young Researcher  YUEN Cheuk Tung  Dr. Samson Sun Scholarship  PUN Tsz Ki Stella  Essilor Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing Scholarship  CHEUNG Wing Yu   WONG Zhi Qing Queenie  HOYA Scholarship for Myopia Care  PUN Tsz Ki Stella  HOYA Scholarship for the Best Year 4 Student in BSc (Hons) in Optometry  TONG Anson  Joyce C. D. Leung Scholarship for Overseas Student Exchange Programme  TONG Anson  Luxottica Best Clinical Performance Award for Final Year Student in BSc (Hons) in Optometry  LEE Kin Hang  Luxottica Scholarship for Student Outbound Exchange Programme  CHI Wing Nam  Ocuviq Award  Chu Siu Cheung   PolyVision Scholarship for the Best Year 4 Student in BSc (Hons) in Optometry  CHEUNG Zi Yan  TAM Wing Yu  TONG Anson  Queenie Yip Scholarship for Overseas Student Exchange Programme  LEE Tung Wang   Skyview Optical Scholarship for Overseas Student Exchange Programme  CHAN Kwun Lam  LEE King Nok  The Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists Best Community Project Award  CHAN Hei Wun Jessie  CHEUNG Wai Yan  HO Tsoi Shan  TAM Wing Yu  TONG Anson  TSOI Yan Lam  WONG Hiu Laam  WONG Oriana  WONG Pak Hei  YANG Yang  The Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists - Best Year 1 Student in Optometry Subjects  HE Ching Wa  The Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists - Practice Management Award  LAU Yan Cheung  The Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists Prize for the Best Year 1 Student in BSc (Hons) in Optometry  HE Ching Wa  The Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists Best Final Year Student Optometrist Award  Lee Kin Hang  The Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists Academic Excellence Award for the Best Final Year Student in BSc (Hons) in Optometry  WONG Tang Wai  ViewGear Scholarship for the Best Year 2 Student in BSc (Hons) in Optometry  WU Guojun     Name of Award/ Scholarship (Postgraduates) Awardee Dr George Cheng - PolyU MSc in Vision Science and Innovation Scholarship  ZHANG Zhongqing Earn Will Creation - PolyU MScVSI Innovative Research Project - Individual Award  LI Jie Eyebright Medical - PolyU MSc in Vision Science and Innovation Scholarship  MA Liangzhen  Hong Kong Purevision- PolyU MScVSI Innovative Research Project - Group Award  LI Jie  MA Yiqi  ZHOU Qi  Loyal Tech Group Ltd - PolyU MSc in Vision Science and Innovation Scholarship  KONG Ling  EssilorLuxottica – PolyU Doctor of Optometry Scholarship  WONG Ho Yin  PolyU Doctor of Optometry Scholarship  WAN Tsz Tsun   ZHENG Fuhao  

White Coat Ceremony 2026

The School of Optometry held its White Coat Ceremony on 25 August 2026. In the presence of faculty members, mentors, and peers, 58 Year 4 optometry students took the Optometric Oath, pledging their commitment to upholding professional ethics throughout their clinical placements and future careers. The students then received their white coats from their academic advisors, symbolising their entry into the esteemed eye care profession.   In her opening remarks, Prof. Allen Cheong, Associate Head (Programmes and Clinical Training) of the School, reminded students that the white coat represents professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. She encouraged the students to embrace their responsibilities with enthusiasm and humility, and to apply the knowledge they have acquired to serve the public diligently.   The School of Optometry White Coat Ceremony has been organised since 2015, with the aim of highlighting the symbolic importance of the white coat for clinicians. Following the ceremony, the fourth-year optometry students will begin their clinical training over the next two years.   White Coat Ceremony 2026  [Photo Gallery]

PolyU School of Optometry and HOYA Vision Care strengthen R&D collaboration: New DIMS TED spectacle lenses clinically proven on average to achieve no myopia progression over 12 months

Myopia is a global public health issue. The School of Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and HOYA Vision Care have long been committed to developing myopia control spectacle lenses to help safeguard public eye health. Building on more than a decade of collaboration, the two parties have achieved another breakthrough in advancing their patent-protected Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) technology to launch a new generation of myopia control spectacle lenses featuring the Triple Enhanced Design (DIMS TED).

PolyU School of Optometry and China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee sign MoU to advance Para sports development and support vision impairment classification for athletes

The School of Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (HKPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 5 June. The two parties will leverage their respective strengths, combining academic research expertise with sports resources to foster the long-term development of Hong Kong’s Para sports ecosystem, while providing comprehensive and professional support for Para athletes, coaches and practitioners.

PolyU School of Optometry and CEVR join hands with HKSTP to launch Global VisionTech Incubation Programme, bringing together global vision innovation to accelerate research translation and commercialisation

The School of Optometry of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), and the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office (KTEO) of PolyU, in collaboration with the School of Optometry and Vision Science of the University of Waterloo and The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), have officially launched the Global VisionTech Incubation Programme. The Programme aims to bring together leading vision science research teams, medical technology startups and entrepreneurial talent from around the world, positioning Hong Kong as a key hub for research translation, technology validation, venture incubation and market expansion. It seeks to accelerate the journey of cutting-edge vision technologies from the laboratory to clinical application, market adoption and international development.

PhD Student XU Hannan received Best Student Presenter Award

Mr XU Hannan, PhD student at the School, has been awarded the Best Student Presenter Award for his exceptional performance in the Research Student Form in Semester 2, AY2025/26. His presentation was titled "Validation of the eyecup method for ex vivo myopia studies". The School hosts the Research Student Form Series biannually to foster academic dialogue among students and offer them a platform to present their research findings.