The 41st Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress – one of the region’s biggest and most respected eye-care meetings – took place in Hong Kong from 5 to 8 February, alongside the 37th Hong Kong Ophthalmological Symposium. Under the theme “Eyes on the Future: Innovating Ophthalmology”, the Congress welcomed more than 11,500 participants from 111 countries and regions, with over 900 international speakers. CUHK’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) played a key role in leading and organising the event.

Professor Jason Yam Cheuk-sing (above, left), President of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society (HKOS), served as APAO 2026 Congress President. Professor Clement Tham Chee-yung (above, right), Department Chairman and APAO Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, guided the Congress’s strategic and operational planning in his capacity as Chair of the APAO Congress Standing Committee. Professor Dennis Lam Shun-chiu, Clinical Professor (Honorary), curated a thought-provoking line-up of guests and events as Chair of the Congress Scientific Programme Committee.

Numerous DOVS faculty members, research staff and students participated as committee members, session chairs and speakers. They helped deliver an impressive scientific programme across 19 subspecialties and supported a range of community and networking activities. DOVS also backed regional eye-care initiatives by joining the APAO Fundraising Run and welcomed delegates to the CUHK Eye Centre for a visit and guided tour of its facilities – helping to build academic and research partnerships.

DOVS’s contributions to ophthalmological science were recognised with multiple awards during the Congress. Professor Carol Cheung Yim-lui received the Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Award for her dedicated work in averting blindness across the Asia-Pacific region. Senior Achievement Awards were presented to Professor Guy Chen Lijia and Professor Chen Haoyu, and Achievement Awards to Assistant Professors Dr Julia Chan Yan-yu and Dr Simon KH Szeto, in recognition of their long-standing contributions to APAO and the wider ophthalmological community.

The Congress also highlighted the excellent work of the Department’s early-career researchers. Dr Zhang Yuzhou, Research Assistant Professor, together with postgraduate students Ms Zheng Chunwen and Ms Zhou Jiaying, received Best Scientific Paper Awards in their respective fields. These honours reflect DOVS’s dedication to research and its ongoing commitment to moving ophthalmology and visual sciences forwards by training and supporting the next generation of researchers.

DOVS also worked with the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society and the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government to launch the first Ophthalmology Rising Star Programme at an APAO Congress. The programme, designed to inspire and support the next generation of eye-care professionals, was initiated by Professor Yam and convened by Professor Guy Chen. More than 1,000 secondary school students from over 30 schools joined sessions on eye surgery, future trends in ophthalmology, and ocular imaging, and met clinicians, clinician-scientists and medical students. Teachers and students gave very positive feedback, noting that the programme helped broaden students’ understanding of medicine and eye care.