Public Education Series 2013/14

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（中文版）

Early prevention of myopia reduces risk of blindness
CUHK Eye Centre launches Public Eye Health Education Series against Myopia

Background

Short-sightedness (myopia) is very common in Hong Kong. People in Hong Kong suffer from a higher prevalence of myopia compared with inhabitants from other countries or other areas of China. The number of myopic population in Hong Kong is three times of that of the United States, and more than ten times that of the Middle East¹.

This common eye problem has been shown in recent years to affect younger children. According to recent studies conducted by The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the number of young children affected by myopia in Hong Kong has been increasing over the past decade. Pre-school children with short-sightedness have tripled from 2.3% a decade ago to 6.3% today². In a survey of more than seven thousand students, an alarming rate of 30% of children 7 years old or less and 50% of those 12 years old or less suffers from myopia¹.

Myopia is common and high myopia that afflicts many (High myopia refers to those with myopia higher than 6 Diopters) is closely associated with degenerative changes of the choroid, sclera, and retinal pigment epithelium causing higher probability of serious complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataract and even blindness.

Mission

Due to the increasing trend of myopia in Hong Kong, the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) is holding its Eye Care Week in October. CUHK Eye Centre takes the opportunity to raise awareness of ocular health and the potential complications of myopia. Our goal is to remind the public of the importance of early prevention and intervention of myopia to reduce incidents of serious complication or blindness to the minimum.

As the trailblazer of professional ophthalmology in Hong Kong, CUHK Eye Centre is committed to the promotion of eye care awareness in the general public. In the coming year, a series of public education talks has been lined up. The three main topics include “the effect of myopia on adult health”, “the long term effects of myopia on children and adolescents” and “the health threats of myopia in the older generation”, These topics, covering the effect of myopia in the different strata of the community, will be analysed and explained in depth for the public.

As CUHK Eye Centre is about to enter its 20th year, it will continue to promote the visual health of Hong Kong citizens. In order to instil proper knowledge of eye health and myopia, the Centre is running a 12-month public education series, with the ultimate aim of achieving universal eye care and control of myopia.

Program Outline

• Oct 2013 to Jan 2014 - The effect of myopia on adult health
• Feb to May 2014 - The long term effects of myopia on children and adolescents
• Jun to Sept 2014 - The health threats of myopia in the older generation

Upcoming Program Schedule

(To be announced)

Past Program

Date: 18-10-2014 (Sat) Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Venue: YLPMS Alumni Association Ying Yip Primary School (86 Tin Shui Road, Tin Shui Wai) Speakers: Dr Jason YAM, Asistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK

Date: 16-8-2014 (Sat) Time: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Venue: 10/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong (MTR Quarry Bay Exit C) Speakers: Prof Clement THAM, SH Ho Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK Dr Vishal JHANJI, Asistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK

Date: 10-5-2014 (Sat) Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Venue: Rm 502, The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong, 3 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Speakers: Dr Jason YAM, Asistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK Dr Kelvin CHONG, Asistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK

Date: 12-4-2014 (Sat) Time: 2:15 pm – 4:30 pm Venue: 2/F, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building, 15 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Speakers: Prof Clement THAM, S.H. Ho Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK Dr Mårten BRELÉN, Asistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK

Date: 15-3-2014 (Sat) Time: 12:15 pm – 13:45 pm Venue: Sheung Tak Community Hall, Sheung Mei House, Sheung Tak Estate, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories Speakers: Dr Ernie LO, Clinical Assistant Professor (Honorary), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK Dr Kelvin CHONG, Asistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK

Date: 5-1-2014 (Sun) Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon Speakers: Faculty Members of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Date: 14-12-2013 (Sat) Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Venue: Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre, No. 60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei Speakers: Faculty Members of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Media Coverage

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Related Article

• An update on the interventions and strategies in preventing myopia progression (The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians)

Press Release

A press conference was held on 27 October 2013. Please click here for the press release.

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Reference

1. Fan DS, Lam DS, Lam RF, Lau JT, Chong KS, Cheung EY, Lai RY, Chew SJ. Prevalence, incidence, and progression of myopia of school children in Hong Kong. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004 Apr;45(4):1071-5.
2. Fan DS, Lai C, Lau HH, Cheung EY, Lam DS. Change in vision disorders among Hong Kong preschoolers in 10 years. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 2011;39(5):398-403.