The 18th 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 18th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium was successfully held online on 5 November 2020 and attracted over 700 participants. The Symposium has been serving as an ideal platform for eyecare practitioners, opticians, ophthalmologists and optical industry players to update themselves with the latest optometric knowledge. This year’s Symposium is themed “Prevention of Blindness and Global Eye Care Development Beyond 20/20”, which echoes with the global initiative of the “Vision 2020: The Right to Sight” of the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. We were happy to have seven experts from Australia, Canada and Hong Kong to share with us the updates on the eyecare management and treatments with advanced technology in eliminating visual impairments. Dr Jessica Neuville, Clinical Associate of the School served as the moderator of the morning session. Dr Helen Eng, Part-time Visiting Lecturer and Ms Jenny Kwong, Senior Resident Optometrist co-instructed the talk on “Using Optical Calculation in Managing Vision Rehabilitation for Geriatric Patients”; and Prof. Ben Thompson, Visiting Professor, shared his findings in the talk titled “New Approaches to the Treatment of Amblyopia: An Update and Future Perspectives”. The Symposium is a pre-approved CPD Programme recognized by the Optometrists Board, Hong Kong and also accredited by the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) under the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) for continuing education for optometrists.

White Coat Ceremony 2020

Our Year 4 Optometry students had their White Coat Ceremony virtually on 14 October 2020. In an exceptional time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the School held the first virtual ceremony by presenting the compilation of white coat presentation videos and students’ pledge of optometry oath. We wish the participating students a fruitful clinical learning experience ahead! Prof. Chi-ho To, Head of School shared in his welcoming remarks that he hoped students’ professional call to service would help a lot of patients and it would also bring utmost satisfaction through their interaction with patients. Prof. George Woo, Emeritus Professor and Senior Advisor, reminded students in his opening remarks that the white coat symbolizes clinical service and patient care. It shows students’ commitment to transform themselves into a health care professionals with integrity - a professional in whom patients place their trust. White Coat Ceremony Videos White Coat Presentation - https://youtu.be/V7QbY3li0zw Optometric Oath Recitation - https://youtu.be/2vjKskxsV4U

PolyU Education Info Day 2020

The PolyU Education Info Day 2020 was successfully held online on 10 October. The School organized an array of online activities including info seminars, virtual tour to PolyU Optometric Clinic and admission consultation, attracting over 660 visitors to participate in these optometry programme related activities. Info Day provides an excellent platform for secondary school students, parents and the public to obtain first-hand information about our undergraduate programmes, admission requirements and career prospects, as well as receive consultations from our academic staff. Visit the UG Admissions Info Platform for more details about the programme: Info Seminar: https://polyu.hk/JhVSe Student Sharing: https://youtu.be/ZpaE0bnjUCc More details: https://polyu.hk/tMBpB

Home-grown Invention Wins 2020 SILMO d’Or Award

The Defocused Incorporated Multi-Segment (DIMS) lens developed by the School of Optometry, PolyU, in collaboration with Hoya Vision Care, has been awarded the 2020 SILMO d’Or Award (Vision). SILMO is one of the world’s top optical fair and is known for its focus in style, technology and medical developments. Being awarded the prestigious SILMO d’Or underlines the recognition of Prof. Chiho To and Prof. Carly Lam’s research team contributing to myopia management. More Info 2020 SILMO d’Or Award: https://bit.ly/31BMyJr Defocused Incorporated Multi-Segment (DIMS) Lens: https://polyu.hk/vZyVO

World Sight Day 2020 - Myopia Progression during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Echoing the theme “Hope in Sight” of the World Sight Day 2020 and concerning the increasing screen time of schoolchildren during the outbreak of COVID-19, the School and the other five local optometrist associations surveyed on students’ vision. The poll conducted by the School and the other five local optometrist associations, including the Eye Foundation, the Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists, the Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists, the Hong Kong Contact Lens Research Association and the Hong Kong Academy of Orthokeratology, found that students spent around 10 hours a day using electronic devices during class suspension between February and May – 1.1 times more than before. Participants also saw short-sightedness levels increase by an average of minus 0.87 diopters, 16% higher than the usual minus 0.75 diopters. Dr Dennis Tse, Associate Professor of the School, shared, “Myopia is not just a problem that requires refractive error correction. High myopia would increase the risk of a variety of eye diseases which may cause permanent visual impairment and blindness.” Professor George Woo, Emeritus Professor of the School, said, "Myopia control should be implemented on school children as early as possible to prevent high myopia from causing a huge medical burden to parents and the government.” He suggested that the Department of Health to consider strengthening the school children’s vision screening program to facilitate early identification and timely follow-up."

Application for Admission to Research Postgraduate Programmes

The School is now inviting applications for admission to our research postgraduate programmes. For details, please refer to the following pages: Research Postgraduate Programmes Projects Recruiting Research Students Enquiry Please address your enquiries to Departmental Research Committee Secretary (email: so.rpg@polyu.edu.hk).

Applications for Admission to Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Optometry (2021/22)

The School is now inviting applications for admission to our Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Optometry programme in September 2021. Details of application period are as follows: Application Period JUPAS Applicants 7 Oct 2020 – 9 Dec 2020 International Applicants Start Date: 24 September 2020 Early Round Deadline: 25 November 2020 Normal Round Deadline: 25 February 2021 * Applications received after the Normal Consideration Round deadline will still be considered on a rolling basis till 30 June 2021, subject to the availability of study places. Local Non-JUPAS Applicants 24 Sep 2020 – 8 Feb 2021 JEE Applicants 2 Nov 2020 – 15 Jun 2021, 9am (GMT+8) You are welcome to obtain programme information and submit applications via Study@PolyU.

Special Notice to Patients of Sik Sik Yuen – PolyU Optometry Centre (Wong Tai Sin Teaching and Learning Centre)

In view of the recent resurge of COVID-19 cases in Wong Tai Sin district, the services of Sik Sik Yuen – PolyU Optometry Centre (Wong Tai Sin Teaching and Learning Centre) will be suspended until further notice. Our staff will contact the affected patients as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Special Notice to Patients of Sik Sik Yuen – PolyU Optometry Centre (Wong Tai Sin Teaching and Learning Centre)

In view of recent surge of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wong Tai Sin district, the services of Sik Sik Yuen – PolyU Optometry Centre (Wong Tai Sin Teaching and Learning Centre) will be suspended from 16 to 22 July 2020 for conducting thorough cleaning. Our staff will contact the affected patients as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Applications for the Doctor of Health Science Programme - 2020 Intake

The Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) programme offered by the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS) for admission in September 2020 is now open for application: Hong Kong’s only professional doctoral programme focusing on health science and services preparing health care practitioners for leadership roles in the science and practice of health care through systematic enquiry and theory application recognised as a terminal professional degree for health care disciplines, with graduates able to use the title ‘Dr’ before their nameswith an option to graduate with a generic award or one of the following specialisms: - Medical Laboratory Science* - Medical Imaging and Radiation Science* - Nursing - Occupational Therapy* - Optometry* - Physiotherapy* - Prosthetics and Orthotics * These specialism awards are listed quotable qualifications under their respective boards of the Supplementary Medical Professions Council. The application deadline is 30 June 2020. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews and offers may be made on a rolling-basis. The first round of interview will be conducted soon. We have a quota for admissions and the application will be closed when all the places are filled up. For more information, please refer to the leaflet and visit the programme website.