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.)

PolyU Optometry to Launch Eye and Vision Research Centre under InnoHK Cluster

In support of the Hong Kong government’s new initiative, InnoHK Clusters, which aims to develop Hong Kong as a hub for global research collaboration, PolyU School of Optometry has joined forces with the University of Waterloo in Canada to develop research centre under the newly established research cluster – Health@InnoHK (focusing on healthcare related technologies), in a bid to bring together leading researchers from around the world to conduct impactful collaborative research in Hong Kong. The School is pleased to establish the world-class Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) at the Hong Kong Science Park under the government-funded InnoHK initiative. The CEVR aims at facilitating global interdisciplinary collaborations in research and commercialisation of resultant new technologies to prevent vision loss or restore healthy vision. Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, Professor Wing-tak Wong, is pleased with the University’s contribution to the InnoHK initiative, stating that, “Innovation and technology (I&T) has always been one of the key drivers of economic development. With the rapid development of the Nation and the Greater Bay Area bringing unprecedented opportunities for I&T, Hong Kong will play an even more important role in the ongoing process of innovation.” He added, “By partnering with world-acclaimed institutions to establish research centres in InnoHK’s two research clusters, PolyU hopes to fully leverage each institution’s academic strengths to bring about significant research breakthroughs, and thereby create impactful technology that boosts the economy and brings benefits to society.” Bob Lemieux, Dean of Science at the University of Waterloo said, “We are proud to be partnering with an exceptional institution like PolyU on this critical initiative. CEVR is already bringing the University of Waterloo’s entrepreneurial culture to Hong Kong as the research team tackles the world’s biggest questions in the field of vision science – from discovery and clinical application to commercialisation.” Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) Under the Health@InnoHK cluster, CEVR has been set up as a joint partnership between PolyU and the University of Waterloo, Canada. CEVR promotes eye health with clinical, basic and applied research, and develops ground-breaking technologies to prevent vision loss and preserve sight among the ageing population. CEVR runs five research programmes, namely Myopia and Eye Growth, Ocular Drug Discovery and Delivery, Vision Enhancement, Tear Film and Ocular Surface, and Advanced Optometric Technology. For more details about the CEVR, please visit https://cevr.hk.

PolyU Undergraduate Info Day 2021

The PolyU Undergraduate Info Day 2021 was successfully held on 10 October in hybrid mode. The School organized various activities, including info seminars, guided tours to pre-clinical lab and admission consultations, attracting over 710 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://youtu.be/4I4Ei3Dto64 More details: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/infoday

SO Academics appointed as leaders of Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV)

Prof. To Chi-ho, Head of School and Dr Kee Chea-su, Associate Professor and Associate Head of School are appointed as the Director and Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision respectively. 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.