The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Erasmus University Medical Centre (EMC), Netherlands successfully concluded ″The First Joint CUHK-EMC Ophthalmic Research Forum″ on 23 September 2024. This event provided an excellent platform for DOVS and EMC members to share knowledge and insights, particularly in advancing myopia research.
Prof Clement CY THAM, Chairman of DOVS, expressed his gratitude to EMC for their active engagement. ″This partnership has significantly enhanced our research efforts and fostered innovative approaches to addressing myopia. We look forward to more fruitful collaborations in the future.″ Prof Tham stated.
The Research Forum included a Plenary Lecture and the Advances in Ophthalmology (AinO) lecture. Prof Calvin CP PANG, S. H. Ho Research Professor of Visual Sciences, DOVS, delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the Department, ″I am honoured to welcome our esteemed partners from the EMC, Netherlands. Their presence highlights the importance and potential of our partnership, and we are delighted to have them with us.″
In the AinO lecture, Prof Caroline CW KLAVER, Professor of EMC specializing in myopia research, presented a lecture titled ″Myopia in Europe: the Rotterdam Story″. Moderated by Prof Yam, this session led to a rewarding interaction followed, leading to a fruitful exchange of ideas and thoughts among participants from both DOVS and EMC.
The Plenary Lecture Section was moderated by Prof Jason CS YAM, Professor of DOVS, and Dr ZHANG Yuzhou, Postdoctoral Fellow of DOVS. International experts from EMC, including Dr Jan Roelof POLLING, Orthoptist and Researcher, Dr Virginie JM VERHOEVEN, Resident in Clinical Genetics, and Dr Willem TIDEMAN, Clinical Resident, delivered presentations on topics such as atropine dosing optimization, myopia genetics and myopia diagnosis. In addition to Prof Yam, other DOVS speakers included Prof Guy LJ CHEN, Professor of DOVS, and Dr Aziz KW KAM, Associate Director (Education) of CUHK Jockey Club Myopia Prevention Programme. Topics on childhood myopia and astigmatism were discussed.
| Plenary Lectures | Speakers |
| Optimizing Atropine Dosing for Progressive Myopia | Dr Jan Roelof POLLING |
| Genetics in Myopia | Dr Virginie JM VERHOEVEN |
| Axial Length Growth Curves | Dr Willem TIDEMAN |
| Children Eye Care & Myopia Control Hong Kong Experience | Prof Jason CS YAM |
| Genetics of Children Myopia and Related Traits – the Hong Kong Children Eye Genetics Study | Prof Guy LJ CHEN |
| Recent Trends of Astigmatism in Hong Kong | Dr Aziz KW KAM |
The Research Forum fostered a comprehensive understanding of myopia and other visual disorders among participants, enhancing knowledge through the exchange of information from both the Netherlands and Hong Kong.
Representatives from the EMC also visited to CUHK Main Campus and CUHK Medical Centre, promoting meaningful interactions and strengthening our academic network with EMC. We anticipate further collaborations ahead.
