2023 Outstanding Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement of PolyU School of Optometry
2023 年度理大眼科視光學院傑出校友學術成就獎
Prof. To Chi-ho
Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University & Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Scientific Director, Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited (CEVR)
- Professional Diploma in Optometry (with Distinction), Hong Kong Polytechnic (Year of Award: 1987)
Prof. To Chi-ho is currently a Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry at the School of Optometry of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He obtained the Professional Diploma in Optometry with Distinction at the then Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1987. After receiving his PhD from The University of Wales College of Cardiff in the UK in 1993, Prof. To returned to his alma mater to commence his academic career as a Lecturer (College of Degree Studies) at the Department of Optometry and Radiography in the same year. Prof. To’s solid academic and research work, as well as his aptitude for leadership, led to his appointment as Head of the School of Optometry (SO) of PolyU. He was conferred the Henry G. Leong Endowed Professorship in Elderly Vision Health in 2013 and promoted to Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry in 2019. Prof. To departed from the University’s service in October 2022 to pursue new endeavours.
Prof. To’s remarkable dedication and achievements in safeguarding eye health through innovative vision science research and myopia control innovations is internationally recognized. His invention of the Defocus Incorporated Soft Contact (DISC) lenses and the Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segment (DIMS) spectacle lens, which can effectively slow the progression rate of myopia among school children by 60%, earned him several international awards, including the prestigious Grand Prize and Gold Medal with Jury’s Commendation, at the 39th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2011 (for the DISC lens), the Grand Prize (overall championship), Grand Award and Gold Medal with the Congratulations of Jury, at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2018 (for the DIMS lens), and the 2020 SILMO d’Or Award (Vision) (for the DIMS lens). His unparalleled leadership in advancing the development of research and knowledge transfer also gained wide recognition, as he was honoured with PolyU President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer (Team) 2021 and Our Hong Kong Foundation’s InnoStars Award 2022.
