S. H. Ho Research Professor of Visual Sciences

BSc (Lond), DPhil (Oxon), FARVO

Contact :

(852) 3943 5801

Academic Appointments

  • S. H. Ho Research Professor of Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
  • Director, Joint Shantou International Eye Center (JSIEC) of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Biography

Prof Pang received BSc (Hon) in Biochemistry in 1978, University of London, and DPhil in 1982, University of Oxford, on an EP Abraham Research Fund Scholarship, followed by postdoctoral research in Oxford. In December 1983, Prof Pang was appointed Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and became Senior Lecturer in 1992. In 1998, Prof Pang moved to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) of CUHK. He was appointed Professor in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 2008 and bestowed the S. H. Ho Professorship in Visual Sciences in 2010. From 2012 to 2015 Prof Pang was Chairman of the Department. Since 2012 he is Director of the Shantou University/CUHK Joint Shantou International Eye Center.

Prof Pang had served as academic assessor or reviewer of more than 25 funding and scientific institutions worldwide, including the Wellcome Trust (UK), National Eye Institute (USA), ARVO (USA), National Medical Research Council (Singapore), Health Research Board (Ireland), Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (Spain), National Science Foundation China, Changjiang Scholar Program China, and Ophthalmology Basis Research Advancement Committee, Chinese Ophthalmological Society, Chinese Medical Association. He has also been external examiner or visiting professor of academic institutions including University of Melbourne, Flinders University Australia, Purdue University USA, National University of Singapore, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel, Peking University, Shanghai Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prof Pang had been convener of the visual sciences programmes of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congresses and World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC).

Prof Pang has delivered more than 300 100 invited lectures nationally and internationally. He received the China State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA) second-class award in 2016, Special Achievement Award of Chinese Ophthalmological Society in 2017, and Senior Achievement Award, APAO in 2018. In 2017 Prof Pang delivered the National Institute of Health – Global Health Vision Lecture, Bethesda, USA. In 2018 Prof Pang became a Fellow of ARVO and has been honoured as the 2020 ARVO Foundation honoree. In 2021, Prof Pang was conferred ′Honorary Fellow′ of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong.

Research Areas

  1. Molecular genomics, gene mapping and identification and GWAS, on complex eye diseases: primary open angle glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choridal vasculopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, myopia, uveitis, and thyroid eye diseases.
  2. Molecular genetics: glaucoma, macular diseases, retinoblastoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, myopia, uveitis, and thyroid eye diseases.
  3. Animal models of eye diseases: optic nerve crush, elevated IOP, retina degeneration, experimental induced uveitis, and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.
  4. Therapeutic effects and pharmacokinetics of green tea extract, catechins, neuropeptides as agonists and antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in ocular oxidative stress, inflammations, and degeneration.
  5. Risk factors, genetics and prevention of children eye diseases and childhood myopia. The concept of health care through children eye care.
  6. Contemporary medical issues such as ophthalmic effects of Covid-19.
Vice-President Asia-Pacific Myopia Society
Convener Visual Sciences Program, World Ophthalmology Congresses (WOC) 2016, 2018, 2020
Scientific Program Committee and Convener Visual Sciences program of Asia Pacific Congresses of Ophthalmology (APAO). 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Co-chair Asia ARVO 2015
Member ARVO Strategic Plan Steering Committee, Global Presence Pillar 2014, 2015

Research Programmes

  1. Molecular genetics, gene identification, GWAS, WES, mechanisms, and epigenetics of glaucoma, complex macular diseases, inherited retinal diseases, myopia, uveitis and thyroid eye diseases.
  2. Biological effects, metabolomics, proteomics, cellular studies and animal models (optic nerve crush, elevated IOP, retina degeneration, EIU, EAU), and pharmacokinetics of small herbal molecules, green tea extract, catechins, neuropeptides of agonists/antagonists of GHRH receptor in ocular oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration.
  3. Children eye diseases: retinoblastoma, refractive errors, ocular traits, myopia prevention, epidemiology, and genetics. Concept of ′Child health through children eye care′.

Accomplishments

  1. Identification of novel gene loci and variants for complex eye diseases through international consortiums and collaborations.
  2. Identification of new genes and gene variants of complex eye diseases with Prof. Guy LJ CHEN and genetics team.
  3. Establishment of ethnic differentiations in glaucoma, AMD and PCV genes.
  4. Confirmation of the involvements of ocular inflammation of the GHRH-GH-IGF1 Axis and therapeutic potential of GHRH-R antagonists with Dr CHU Wai Kit, Dr LP Cen, Prof. SO Chan and laboratory-based teams.
  5. Establishment of the anti-oxidative properties and therapeutic potential of green tea catechins.
  6. Establishment of AI (artificial intelligence) protocols in ophthalmology with DOVS snd JSIEC AI teams.
  7. Discoveries and remedies of ophthalmic issues due to COVID-19 with DOVS and JSIEC COVID-19 study teams.
  8. Establishment of risk factors of childhood myopia and treatment protocols for prevention of progression with Dr Jason CS YAM and HK Children Eye Study team.
  9. Recipient of the China State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (2016), Special Achievement Award Chinese Ophthalmological Society (2017), Honorary Fellow, HK College of Ophthalmologists (2021) and ARVO honoree (2021).

Representative Publications:

  1. >600 papers in international indexed peer reviewed journals and 29 book chapters. Google Scholar: Sum of the Times Cited: >28,900. h-index: 87 (October 2024).
  2. Selected Publications

*corresponding or senior author

  1. Qi Z, Li T, Chen J, Yam JC, Wen Y, Huang G, Zhong H, He M, Zhu D, Dai R, Qian B, Wang J, Qian C, Wang W, Zheng Y, Zhang J, Yi X, Wang Z, Zhang B, Liu C, Cheng T, Yang X, Li J, Pan YT, Ding X, Xiong R, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Feng D, Liu S, Du L, Yang J, Zhu Z, Bi L, Kim J, Tang F, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zou H, Ang M, Tham CC, Cheung CY, Pang CP*, Sheng B, He X, Xu X. A deep learning system for myopia onset prediction and intervention effectiveness evaluation in children. NPJ Digit Med. 2024 Aug 7;7(1):206.
  2. Chan PP, Lee VWY, Yam JC, Brelén ME, Kit CW, Wan KH, Chen LJ, Tham CC, Pang CP*. Flipped Classroom Case Learning vs Traditional Lecture-Based Learning in Medical School Ophthalmology Education: A Randomized Trial. Acad Med. 2023 Apr 14.
  3. Yam JC, Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, Yip BHK, Tang F, Wong ES, Bui CHT, Kam KW, Ng MPH, Ko ST, Yip WWK, Young AL, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP*. Effect of Low-Concentration Atropine Eyedrops vs Placebo on Myopia Incidence in Children: The LAMP2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2023 Feb 14;329(6):472-481.
  4. Cen LP, Ng TK, Chu WK, Pang CP*. Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor signaling in experimental ocular inflammation and neuroprotection. Neural Regen Res. 2022 Dec;17:2643-2648.
  5. Yam JC, Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, Wang YM, Tang SM, Li FF, Kam KW, Ko ST, Yip BHK, Young AL, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP*. Three-Year Clinical Trial of Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression Study: Continued Versus Washout: Phase 3 Report. Ophthalmology. 2022 Mar;129:308-321.
  6. Wong ES, Choy RW, Zhang Y, Chu WK, Chen LJ, Pang CP*, Yam JC. Global retinoblastoma survival and globe preservation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations with socioeconomic and health-care factors. Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Mar;10(3):e380-e389.
  7. Cen LP, Ji J, Lin JW, Ju ST, Lin HJ, Li TP, Wang Y, Yang JF, Liu YF, Tan S, Tan L, Li D, Wang Y, Zheng D, Xiong Y, Wu H, Jiang J, Wu Z, Huang D, Shi T, Chen B, Yang J, Zhang X, Luo L, Huang C, Zhang G, Huang Y, Ng TK, Chen H, Chen W, Pang CP*, Zhang M. Automatic detection of 39 fundus diseases and conditions in retinal photographs using deep neural networks. Nat Commun. 2021 Aug 10;12(1):4828.
  8. Cen LP, Ng TK, Liang JJ, Xu C, Zhuang X, Liu YF, Chen SL, Xu Y, Yang Q, Yuan XL, Qin YJ, Chan SO, Chen H, Zhang M, Schally AV, Pang CP*. Agonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone enhances retinal ganglion cell protection induced by macrophages after optic nerve injury. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Jul 13;118(28):e1920834118
  9. Yam JC, Li FF, Zhang X, Tang SM, Kei Yip BH, Kam KW, Ko ST, Young AL, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP.* Two-Year Clinical Trial of the Low-concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: Phase 2 Report, Ophthalmology. 2020 Jul;127(7):910-19.
  10. Li C, Chen LJ, Chen X, Zhang M, Pang CP*, Chen H. Retrospective analysis of the possibility of predicting the COVID-19 outbreak from Internet searches and social media data, China. Euro Surveill. 2020 Mar;25(10):2000199.
  11. Liang WC, Ren JL, Yu QX, Li J, Ng TK, Chu WK, Qin YJ, Chu KO, Schally AC, Pang CP*, Chan SO. Signaling mechanisms of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in LPS-induced acute ocular inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Mar 17;117(11):6067-6074.
  12. Yuan N, Li J, Tang S, Li FF, Lee CO, Ng MPH, Cheung CY, Tham CC, Pang CP, Chen LJ, Yam JC. Association of secondhand smoking exposure with choroidal thinning in children aged 6 to 8 years: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019 Oct 17;137(12):1-9.
  13. Yam JC, Jiang Y, Tang SM, Law AKP, Chan JJ, Wong E, Ko ST, Young AL, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP*. Low-concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 0.05%, 0.025% and 0.01% Atropine eye drops in myopia control. 2019 Jan; 126(1):113-124.
  14. Chu KO, Chan KP, Chan SO, Ng TK, Jhanji V, Wang CC, Pang CP*. Metabolomics of Green-Tea Catechins on Vascular-Endothelial-Growth-Factor-Stimulated Human-Endothelial-Cell Survival. J Agric Food Chem. 2018;66(48):12866-12875.
  15. Chu WK, Law KS, Chan SO, Yam JC, Chen LJ, Zhang H, Cheung HS, Block NL, Schally AV, Pang CP*. Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor induce apoptosis specifically in retinoblastoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Dec 13;113:14396-14401.
  16. Khor CC, Do T, Jia H, ….., Pang CP, ….., Vithana EN, Wang N, Aung T. Genome-wide association study identifies five new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma. Nat Genet. 2016 May;48:556-62.
  17. Huang L, Zhang H, Cheng CY, Wen F, …., Zhou Y, Iijima H, Honda S, Lei C, Zhang L, Zheng H, Jiang D, Zhu X, Wong TY, Khor CC, Pang CP*, Yoshimura N, Yang Z. A missense variant in FGD6 confers increased risk of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Nat Genet. 2016 Jun;48(6):640-7.
  18. Lam D, Rao SK, Ratra V, Liu Y, Mitchell P, King J, Tassignon MJ, Jonas J, Pang CP, Chang DF. Cataract. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015 Jun 11;1:15014.
  19. Qin YJ, Chan SO, Chong KK, Li BF, Ng TK, Yip YW, Chen H, Zhang M, Block NL, Cheung HS, Schally AV, Pang CP*. Antagonist of GH-releasing hormone receptors alleviates experimental ocular inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Dec 23;111(51):18303-8.
  20. Chen Y, Lin Y, Vithana EN, Jia L, Zuo X, Wong TY, Chen LJ, Zhu X, Tam PO, Gong B, Qian S, Li Z, Liu X, Mani B, Luo Q, Guzman C, Leung CK, Li X, Cao W, Yang Q, Tham CC, Cheng Y, Zhang X, Wang N, Aung T, Khor CC, Pang CP, Sun X, Yang Z. Common variants near ABCA1 and in PMM2 are associated with primary open-angle Nat Genet. 2014 Oct;46 (10):1115-9.
  21. Liu K, Chen LJ, Lai TY, Tam PO, Ho M, Chiang SW, Liu DT, Young AL, Yang Z, Pang CP*. Genes in the high-density lipoprotein metabolic pathway in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. 2014 Apr;121(4):911-6.
  22. Vithana EN, Khor CC, Qiao C, Nongpiur ME, George R, Chen LJ, …… Pang CP, Wang N, Aung T. Genome-wide association analyses identify three new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma. Nat Genet. 2012 Oct;44:1142-6.
  23. Thorleifsson G, Walters GB, Hewitt AW, Masson G, Helgason A, …… Hammond CJ, Thordarson K, Zhang M, Wadelius C, Lotery AJ, Trembath RC, Pang CP, Hoh J, Craig JE, Kong A, Mackey DA, Jonasson F, Thorsteinsdottir U, Stefansson K. Common variants near CAV1 and CAV2 are associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Nat Genet. 2010 Oct;42:906-9.
  24. Wang DY, Fan BJ, Chua JK, Tam PO, Leung CK, Lam DS, Pang CP*. A genome-wide scan maps a novel juvenile-onset primary open-angle glaucoma locus to 15q. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47:5315-21.
  25. DeWan A, Liu M, Hartman S, Zhang S, Liu DTL, Zhao C, Tam POS, Chan WM, Lam DSC, Snyder M, Barnstable C, Pang CP*, Hoh J. HTRA serine protease predisposes Asians to age-related macular degeneration. Science Nov 2006;314:989-992

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