We are much delighted to share that our Associate Professor, Dr Jason YAM, is selected for the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award in Hong Kong this year, for his extraordinary contributions to our society.

Dr Yam and his team conducted the world’s first randomized placebo-controlled trial on low concentration atropine 0.05% eye drops for myopia control (LAMP Study), which has established the most effective method to prevent myopia progression up to 70%. High myopia leads to blinding complications.  Dr Yam’s work brings paradigm shift in myopia control worldwide, helping tens of millions of children suffering from fast progressing myopia, preventing them from high myopia blindness.

Dr Yam and his team care for children, believing that children’s vision is their basic right, and should not be deprived because of their family status.  In 2015, he has started up the Hong Kong Children Eye Care Programme (subsequently named CUHK Jockey Club Children’s Eye Care Programme at 2018), which is the largest and most comprehensive children eye care programme in Hong Kong.  The programme was supported by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities, together with many dedicated volunteers, who have committed their weekends to serve our society.  They include our community partners, 100 ophthalmologists, 400 medical and nursing students, 1600 secondary school students and 400 community workers.  Over the past five years with more than 300 weekends, Dr Yam’s team has served more than 20,000 low-income families, organized more than 170 education seminars to 30,000 parents and 2000 teachers and social workers.

Dr Yam serves as Secretary General of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmology Society, as well as 20 other international leadership roles, representing Hong Kong to develop the field of Paediatric Ophthalmology globally.  He was awarded Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Nakajima Award 2019 for being the most outstanding ophthalmologists in Asia-Pacific Region.

“I am extremely thankful that I can serve in our Department at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where everybody dreams and works together for the betterment of patient care.  My heartfelt gratitude to Prof Clement THAM and Prof Calvin PANG, who always encourage us to strive for excellences, and to walk for extra miles to serve our patients.  This Award is not just a recognition to our team’s efforts, but also an encouragement to those who serve for children eye care.  Our team do share a dream.  One day, myopia no longer exists.  All children in Hong Kong will not lose their vision due to delayed treatment.  With our concerted efforts, we wish to arouse the public awareness on children eye care, and contribute to the development of Paediatric Ophthalmology in Hong Kong, so that more children in need can be helped.”

Congratulations again, Dr Yam!

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