Presidential Appointment of Prof. Carly Lam by the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry

The Asia Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO) recently announced the appointment of Prof. Carly Lam, Professor of PolyU School of Optometry as the President of APCO Executive Committee. Prof. Lam has served in APCO and World Council of Optometry (WCO) in various roles for more than 10 years.  She is currently a Member of the College of Optometrists (UK) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometrists. She is the honorary advisor of The Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists, and an Honorary Member of The Association of Private Practice Optometrists. Prof. Lam has served in the regulatory bodies of Optometry in Hong Kong; as a member of the Supplementary Medical Professions Council in Hong Kong, and a member of the Optometrists Board of Hong Kong. Prof. Carly Lam has a long-standing research interest in myopia and binocular vision. She received the OPO Bernard Gilmartin Award from the College of Optometrists in UK for Research Excellence in 2015. She was also awarded the KB Woo Lecturer in 2019. 

The Hong Kong Eye and Vision Research Forum

Dr Andrew Lam Awarded the APCO KB Woo Lecturer 2021

Dr Andrew Lam, Associate Professor and Associate Head, School of Optometry, was honoured as the “KB Woo Lecturer 2021” by the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO) on 20 November 2021. Sponsored by the KB Woo Family, Dr Lam delivered the KB Woo Lecture titled “OCT/OCTA: it is simple but yet not so simple” in the APCO 2nd Optometry Educators’ e-Forum as part of the World Council of Optometry (WCO) “Eyes Around the World: A Global Day of Learning” event. The WCO had live-streamed various lectures for practising clinicians and optometric educators across three timezones for 24 hours of continuing education during the “Eyes Around the World: A Global Day of Learning” global continuing education event dated 20 November 2021.  The APCO took the opportunity to offer 4 hours of webinars to gear up the post-pandemic learning strategies for Optometry Educators in the region and other parts of the world. The purpose of the Optometry Educators’ Forum was to promote sharing of teaching and learning resources within the Asia Pacific region. Dr Jessica Neuville, Clinical Associate of the School, also shared a talk on “Take-home & Online Exams” at the same event. 

The 27th Congregation

The 27th Congregation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University marked a remarkable milestone of the Class of 2021 School of Optometry graduates. The School has 34 Bachelor’s Degree graduates, 1 Master of Philosophy graduate and a record high of 10 Doctor of Philosophy graduates this year. May our graduates carry the professional spirit to serve the community and beat the challenges. Our warmest congratulations on your achievements! Faculty Distinguished Thesis Award Congratulations to the following PhD graduates who have been awarded the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences Distinguished Thesis Award:   Dr CHOI Kai-yip Thesis Title : Effect of Optical Defocus Characteristics in the Living Environment and Interaction with Peripheral Refractive Error on Myopia Progression Chief Supervisor        :  Dr Henry CHAN   Dr LI Rong Thesis Title : Exploration of Molecular Mechanism of the Retina Aging Chief Supervisor  :  Dr LIN Bin   The Dean's Honours List Congratulations to the following graduates who have been selected and named on the Dean's Honours List 2020/21: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Optometry CHAN Hiu Tung Toby LI Ho Fai WONG Ching Laam YANG She Chiu

PolyU Optometry Research Impact Ranked 15 Globally and Top of Asia

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.

Bright Light Exposure and Shortsightedness Study (BLESS) - Recruiting myopia children

Myopia research team from School of Optometry of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University are recruiting school children to take part in a clinical trial on myopia control. The study aims to slow the progression of myopia in children using bright light therapy as higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of eye complications. Spectacles will be prescribed to eligible children and a bright light therapy lamp will be distributed. Throughout 2-year study period, children will be invited to visit Optometry Research Clinic in PolyU every 6 months. Comprehensive eye examination (with pupil dilation) will be conducted in order to evaluate children’s myopia development and general eye health. Participation is free of charge.   Target: • Children aged between 7 -12 years • Myopia between -0.75 D to -5.00 D • Astigmatism: less than ≤ 1.50 D • No history on myopia control such as atropine, orthokeratology, or myopic control contact lenses and spectacle lenses • No squint (crossed eye) or amblyopia (lazy eye)   For more information, please refer to above video or link: https://youtu.be/qLnAgHI4P1Y Registration: https://bit.ly/3h8gLr1 Email: rif.adm@polyu.edu.hk  

The 19th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, The Hong Kong Optometric Association and PolyU School of Optometry, The 19th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium (HKIOS) was held successfully in a hybrid format on 11 November 2021. The HKIOS was attended by over 950 physical attendees, while attracting more than 1,960 online viewers from 12 countries and regions.  Under the theme “Updates on Myopia under the Pandemic”, the Symposium will feature 7 experts from Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom to share the latest research on myopia progression and tactics for myopia control under the pandemic.   Dr Jessica Neuville, Clinical Associate of the School served as the moderator of the morning session. Dr Jeffrey Leung, Research Associate Professor and Prof. Pauline Cho, Professor, School of Optometry, PolyU, co-instructed the talk on Refractive Error Changes in Hong Kong Children during COVID-19 Pandemic and Combination Therapy for Myopia Control”.  The HKIOS is an accredited event by the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE). The event also solicited support from the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) under the HKSAR Government.  More photos at https://polyu.hk/MBvGD.   

In memory of Prof. Michel Millodot, Emeritus Professor of Optometry, former Dean of FHSS and Head of School

It is with great sadness that the School notes the passing of Prof. Michel Millodot, Emeritus Professor of Optometry, former Dean of FHSS, former Head of the predecessor of SO and an inspirational mentor to a generation of optometry academics in Hong Kong, Israel and the UK.   Prof. Millodot joined the then Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1990 as Head of the then Department of Diagnostic Sciences and later as Dean of FHSS. Ever conscious of the professional nature of the disciplines hosted by the department, he championed the re-titling of the department to the Department of Optometry and Radiography. His tenure marked the beginning of fundamental research underpinning professional disciplines in the department, a vision which has propelled PolyU-Optometry research to world-class standing today.   Prof. Millodot oversaw the faculty’s transition as the then polytechnic became a university in 1994. His considerable experience in established western universities contributed to a rapid and smooth transition of the faculty’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to university-level standing. Throughout, his heart was never too far from optometry as he continued to mentor and collaborate with young optometry scholars. His mild manner, readiness to listen and coach, and infinite kindness made him the “favourite uncle”of optometry academics and students.   When Prof. Millodot retired from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1996, he was appointed Professor Emeritus of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He kept in touch with many of us in the School, always happy to hear when we do well. He continued his interest in research, publishing as recent as 2020.   Prof. Millodot, our beloved favourite uncle, has left an indelible legacy on PolyU-Optometry which can be seen in the enthusiasm of the young scientists in the cutting edge basic science laboratories of the School and Faculty. His vision, health disciplines underpinned by strong fundamental scientific research, continues to shine brightly in the PolyU.

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.

Webinar on Children Myopia Control

The prevalence of short-sightedness in Hong Kong school children have increased amid the pandemic. One of the reasons was that school children spent too much time on screen for classes. What impact will it cause on eye health in the long run? PolyU School of Optometry is holding a webinar on 30 October (Saturday). Dr Lydia Yu will discuss the causes of myopia and introduce myopia control and prevention measures. (Programme in Cantonese)   Register now! https://polyu.hk/LhnZp (Limited quota. First come, first served.)