History
Early Ophthalmology Service in Hong Kong Ophthalmology services had a long history in Hong Kong with official record of an ophthalmology department dating back to 1905 in Tung Wah Hospital. In the past, after adequate training, all trainees attended specialist examinations overseas, mostly in the United Kingdom. After passing the specialist examinations, they received their specialist degrees and were able to practice as ophthalmologists in Hong Kong either in public or private sectors. Dr Dansey Browning was appointed as the first consultant in charge of Government Ophthalmic Service in 1954. The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society was also founded on the same year with Dr Browning as the first chairman.
Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in Hong Kong 1983 The Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress was held in 1983, this was the first international ophthalmology conference to be held in Hong Kong with Dr John Chang as the Congress president. We later organised our own annual meeting and the First Hong Kong Ophthalmological Symposium was held in 1989 with Dr Hui Siu Ping as chairman.
With the need of professional development and the rapid expansion of ophthalmic services, organising our own examinations and monitoring our own standards became imminent. Together with the establishment of the Academy of Medicine of Hong Kong in 1993, colleges of different specialties were formed. The Faculty of Ophthalmology was initially formed on 16th July, 1993 under the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong. The first conjoint final examination with the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was held in March 1994.
FRCSEd Examiation in Hong Kong Eye Hospital 1996
Signing Ceremony with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Later on, the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong was formally incorporated on 25th October 1994. We are one of the fifteen Colleges of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. We are the statutory body responsible for monitoring and assessing the standards of specialist training in ophthalmology in Hong Kong. We organize examinations and accreditate training centers to ensure standards of training. We oversee mandatory continuing medical education and continuous professional development to ensure all our fellows are up to date with the latest reseach and the best practices in ophthalmology.
The Development of Ophthalmology in Hong Kong
1905
The First Ophthalmology Department in Hong Kong
Department of Ophthalmology was established in Tung Wah Hospital in December 1905.
1930
Eye-Ear Nose and Throat Doctor
In the early 1930s, Hong Kong's ophthalmology wasn't recognized as a separate specialty; services were provided by Eye-ENT doctors like Sir Chau Sik Nin CBE. After graduating from the University of Hong Kong in 1924 and further studies in Vienna and London, he earned diplomas in Ophthalmic Medicine and Laryngology and Otology. Sir Chau also served as an ophthalmology lecturer and was a notable figure in medicine, politics, and business during that era.
1949
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
In the late 1940s, private ophthalmologists such as Dr. Chan Sing Chue, Dr. Renald Ching, and Dr. H. Mahan Singh volunteered as honorary consultants at eye clinics in Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, a charity-run facility. These consultants dedicated several mornings and days to charity work. Dr. Renald Ching was particularly influential, being the first in Hong Kong to wear and introduce contact lenses in 1940, and a pioneer in intraocular lens implantation, with a dozen Ridley lenses implanted in 1949.
1950
Government Ophthalmic Services
Government ophthalmic services in Hong Kong began in 1952 with just two clinics: the Arran Street Eye Clinic in Kowloon and the Violet Peel General Out-patient Clinic on Hong Kong Island. The Arran Street clinic, initially led by Dr. Luk Shi Kong, was replaced in the 1960s by the Yau Ma Tei Eye Clinic, which served as a comprehensive center for ophthalmic services until 1992.
On Hong Kong Island, the Violet Peel clinic provided extensive services from the late 1950s to the 60s. Dr. Chan Wai Kai, a notable ophthalmologist there from 1958 to 1963, later became a prominent educator and chairman of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society. The clinic eventually relocated to the Tang Chi Ngong Eye Clinic in the 1970s, before eventually closing in the 1990s with the opening of the TWGHs Lo Ka Chow Memorial Ophthalmic Centre.
1954
The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society
The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society (HKOS) was founded on 16th August 1954. Dr Dansey Browning was the first chairman. There were 19 founding members.
1958
Amendment of the Medical Registration Ordiance
An amendment was made to the Medical Registration Ordinance Cap 161 Section 32 to uphold and protect the standard of eye care upon suggestions by Dr Dansey Browning.
1958
Pioneering Outpatient Cataract Surgery in Yau Ma Tei
Dr. Renald Ching, a pioneer among Chinese physicians, was one of the first to publish in an international journal about outpatient surgery services in Hong Kong. His work marked a significant milestone as he reported one of the first outpatient cataract surgeries performed. Nowadays, the majority of cataract and other ophthalmic operations are conducted as outpatient procedures.
1962
Lions Eye Bank
Founded in 1962 by Lions Clubs International District 303 and the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society, the Lions Eye Bank is a charity focused on eye care. It facilitates corneal transplants by processing and distributing corneas from deceased donors, restoring vision to the blind. Recently, the Eye Bank has also been involved in various charity programs, including offering free cataract surgeries in XiNing, China.
1983
Hong Kong Hosted its First Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress
Hong Kong hosted the first international meeting, the 9th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress. This was chaired by Dr. John Chang Senior.
1989
First Annual Scientific Meeting
The first Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), a 2-day event chaired by Dr Hui Siu Ping, was held in 1989. The ASM has since became an annual platform for professional scientific and clinical exchange. The ASM has been held for 30 years and received worldwide scientific recognition, having invited renowned Ophthalmologist speakers from China and overseas to share on important topics and newest developments and techniques.
1991
TWGHs Lo Ka Chow Memorial Ophthalmic Centre
With the rapid socio-economic developments and better quality of living, demands for better quality ophthalmic services increased. Consequently, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals decided to build a tertiary ophthalmology center within Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, named the TWGHs Lo Ka Chow Memorial Ophthalmic Centre, which opened in 1991.
1992
The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre
On the other hand, with the deployment of government resources, a specialized eye centre was planned and built at the former Vietnamese Refugees Camp on Argyle Street. The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre was commissioned and opened in January 1992.
1993
The Hong Kong Eye Hospital
For the sake of the development in the provision of quality ophthalmic care in different districts across Hong Kong, decentralization of ophthalmic services started in 1993 and completed in 1994. Upon the decentralization, ophthalmic services in Hong Kong were divided into eight clusters with three teams being assigned to The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre. In 1993, The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre was renamed as Hong Kong Eye Hospital. It is a unique administrative and management structure with the vision of developing as a dedicated center on ophthalmic care in Hong Kong.
1994
The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong
The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong was officially incorporated in October 1994. Its main objectives are to develop and maintain good practice, uphold high professional standards, and ensure competence in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Liu Kai Ching served as the first president.
1905
The First Ophthalmology Department in Hong Kong
Department of Ophthalmology was established in Tung Wah Hospital in December 1905.
1930
Eye-Ear Nose and Throat Doctor
In the early 1930s, Hong Kong's ophthalmology wasn't recognized as a separate specialty; services were provided by Eye-ENT doctors like Sir Chau Sik Nin CBE. After graduating from the University of Hong Kong in 1924 and further studies in Vienna and London, he earned diplomas in Ophthalmic Medicine and Laryngology and Otology. Sir Chau also served as an ophthalmology lecturer and was a notable figure in medicine, politics, and business during that era.
1949
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
In the late 1940s, private ophthalmologists such as Dr. Chan Sing Chue, Dr. Renald Ching, and Dr. H. Mahan Singh volunteered as honorary consultants at eye clinics in Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, a charity-run facility. These consultants dedicated several mornings and days to charity work. Dr. Renald Ching was particularly influential, being the first in Hong Kong to wear and introduce contact lenses in 1940, and a pioneer in intraocular lens implantation, with a dozen Ridley lenses implanted in 1949.
1950
Government Ophthalmic Services
Government ophthalmic services in Hong Kong began in 1952 with just two clinics: the Arran Street Eye Clinic in Kowloon and the Violet Peel General Out-patient Clinic on Hong Kong Island. The Arran Street clinic, initially led by Dr. Luk Shi Kong, was replaced in the 1960s by the Yau Ma Tei Eye Clinic, which served as a comprehensive center for ophthalmic services until 1992.
On Hong Kong Island, the Violet Peel clinic provided extensive services from the late 1950s to the 60s. Dr. Chan Wai Kai, a notable ophthalmologist there from 1958 to 1963, later became a prominent educator and chairman of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society. The clinic eventually relocated to the Tang Chi Ngong Eye Clinic in the 1970s, before eventually closing in the 1990s with the opening of the TWGHs Lo Ka Chow Memorial Ophthalmic Centre.
1954
The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society
The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society (HKOS) was founded on 16th August 1954. Dr Dansey Browning was the first chairman. There were 19 founding members.
1958
Amendment of the Medical Registration Ordiance
An amendment was made to the Medical Registration Ordinance Cap 161 Section 32 to uphold and protect the standard of eye care upon suggestions by Dr Dansey Browning.
1958
Pioneering Outpatient Cataract Surgery in Yau Ma Tei
Dr. Renald Ching, a pioneer among Chinese physicians, was one of the first to publish in an international journal about outpatient surgery services in Hong Kong. His work marked a significant milestone as he reported one of the first outpatient cataract surgeries performed. Nowadays, the majority of cataract and other ophthalmic operations are conducted as outpatient procedures.
1962
Lions Eye Bank
Founded in 1962 by Lions Clubs International District 303 and the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society, the Lions Eye Bank is a charity focused on eye care. It facilitates corneal transplants by processing and distributing corneas from deceased donors, restoring vision to the blind. Recently, the Eye Bank has also been involved in various charity programs, including offering free cataract surgeries in XiNing, China.
1983
Hong Kong Hosted its First Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress
Hong Kong hosted the first international meeting, the 9th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress. This was chaired by Dr. John Chang Senior.
1989
First Annual Scientific Meeting
The first Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), a 2-day event chaired by Dr Hui Siu Ping, was held in 1989. The ASM has since became an annual platform for professional scientific and clinical exchange. The ASM has been held for 30 years and received worldwide scientific recognition, having invited renowned Ophthalmologist speakers from China and overseas to share on important topics and newest developments and techniques.
1991
TWGHs Lo Ka Chow Memorial Ophthalmic Centre
With the rapid socio-economic developments and better quality of living, demands for better quality ophthalmic services increased. Consequently, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals decided to build a tertiary ophthalmology center within Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, named the TWGHs Lo Ka Chow Memorial Ophthalmic Centre, which opened in 1991.
1992
The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre
On the other hand, with the deployment of government resources, a specialized eye centre was planned and built at the former Vietnamese Refugees Camp on Argyle Street. The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre was commissioned and opened in January 1992.
1993
The Hong Kong Eye Hospital
For the sake of the development in the provision of quality ophthalmic care in different districts across Hong Kong, decentralization of ophthalmic services started in 1993 and completed in 1994. Upon the decentralization, ophthalmic services in Hong Kong were divided into eight clusters with three teams being assigned to The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre. In 1993, The Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre was renamed as Hong Kong Eye Hospital. It is a unique administrative and management structure with the vision of developing as a dedicated center on ophthalmic care in Hong Kong.
1994
The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong
The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong was officially incorporated in October 1994. Its main objectives are to develop and maintain good practice, uphold high professional standards, and ensure competence in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Liu Kai Ching served as the first president.
Video on the Development of Ophthalmology in Hong Kong
The History of Development of the Faculty and College
Dr C K Ho
As an early participant of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong, I am honored to write a history of its development throughout the past few years. This history is specially dedicated to the late Dr. Timothy K. C. Liu, who had contributed so much of his effort to our profession. The information shall be divided into three parts: the formation of the Faculty of Ophthalmology, College of Surgeons of Hong Kong; the Interim Council of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong and finally, its maturation to become the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong.
Faculty of Ophthalmology, College of Surgeons of Hong Kong
The first meeting of the Faculty of Ophthalmology, College of Surgeons of Hong Kong was held in early 1993 in the premises of the Hong Kong Medical Association. All regular members of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society were invited to attend. During the meeting, Dr. Timothy Liu Kai Ching was elected as Dean, Dr. Patrick Ho Chi Ping as the Sub-Dean and Dr. Hui Siu Ping as Secretary. Faculty Board members consisted of Dr. Clement Chan Wai Nang, Dr. Ho Chi Kin, Dr. Dennis Lam Shun Chiu and Dr. Patrick Tong Pak Chuen.
The actual formation of the Faculty was on 16th July, 1993. the date of its formal acceptance by the Interim Council of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. The early Faculty meetings were held once every three months and the usual venue was the Chinese restaurant of the Evergreen Hotel. Three Subcommittees, namely, the Training and Education Subcommittee, the Examination Subcommittee and the Ways and Means Subcommittee were formed. The President of the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong or his designate was also an Ex-officio member of our Faculty Board. At that time, Dr. C. Y. Watt was the official representative and he had given us valuable advice during our meetings. The immediate problem that our Faculty Board was faced with was limited financial and secretarial support. Dr. Patrick Tong was kind enough at that time to provide us an interest free loan of HK$10,000 for the initial running. Dr. Liu also used his own personal secretary to provide secretarial support to our Faculty.
After settling some basic issues, our Faculty’s major concern was on the following:
1. Assessment and Examination
This was headed by Dr. S. P. Hui who spent a great deal of time liaising with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Finally, the first primary conjoint Fellowship Examination was held on 16th October, 1993 in Hong Kong with 20 candidates attending and 10 passing the Examination. The conjoint final Fellowship Examination was later held in March 1994 with 9 candidates attending and 4 passing the Examination.
2. Training and Education
Setting up a effective and internationally recognized system of training is of vital importance. Dr. Patrick Ho and Dr. C. K. Ho formed an Education Committee consisting of Prof. Ernest Goldschmidt, Dr. Philip Lam, Dr. Cheung Ming Kuen, Dr. Raymond Tse and Dr. Leung Tai Shing. The College Training Curriculum was completed on 1st September 1994 and was later passed by the Council of the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. Training courses at the Department of Anatomy, Chinese University of Hong Kong were also arranged for eye trainees taking the first part of the Fellowship Examination and a new log book was designed which was alter amended and distributed to all our trainees. Dr. C. K. Ho was also appointed to sit in the Education Committee of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in May 1994.
3. Membership
Criteria for admission as Fellows of the College was one of the most difficult tasks. The board had to ensure that all those who were admitted possessed adequate ophthalmic knowledge and skills while at the same time the practice of all the other existing colleagues would not be jeopardize. Finally, the Council decided to admit in a one-off exercise with the grandfather clause, those eye doctors having any one of the following qualifications:
a. twenty five years of good practice in the field of ophthalmology;
b. Diploma of Ophthalmology obtained on/before June 1982, as this was accepted by the Hong Kong Government for Consultant post before that date;
c. overseas fellowship or its equivalent.
A total of 89 members (3 by the 25 years grandfather clause, 9 by the grandfather clause with D.O., 16 by D.O. on/before 1983 and 61 by overseas fellowship or its equivalent) were nominated by our Faculty for admission as Fellows of the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong.
4. Continued Medical Education
After repeated liaison with the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society, it was finally agreed in 1993 that the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society would be re-organized to become a conjoint activity of both the Faculty and Society. The meeting was renamed the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Symposium 1993 and was jointly organized by both parties. It has since then become the major annual event of our College, to be held on the first Saturday and Sunday of every December. It has also become a major event of our profession for continued education and resource generation.
Interim Council of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong
A new steering group for the formation of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong was formed in September 1993 with Dr. Patrick Tong as Convenor. Members consists of Dr. Clement Chan, Dr. Pauline Chan, Dr. C. K. Ho, Dr. Patrick Ho, Dr. Hui Siu Ping, Dr. Dennis Lam, Dr. Lawrence Leong, Dr. Walton Li, Dr. Timothy Liu, Dr. C. F. Tse and Dr. Raymond Tse. They met to draft the Articles and Memorandum of our new College. They had also decided to invite subscribers which included all Council Members of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society, all Government Ophthalmic Consultants, University Ophthalmic Professors and the past President of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society.
The first subscriber meeting was held on 28th September 1994 in the office of the Hong Kong Medical Association and the Memorandum and Articles were distributed and signed by all subscribers present. An Interim Council of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong was also elected Dr. Timothy Liu as President, Dr. Patrick Tong as Hon. Secretary, Dr. Clement Chan as Hon. Treasurer and Dr. C. K. Ho, Dr. Dennis Lam, Dr. Walton Li and Prof. Mark Tso as Council Members. The work of the Interim Council was to continue the work of the steering group to admit Foundation Fellows of our College, to prepare for the Emergency General Meeting and make preparation for the Inauguration Ceremony of our College. Meanwhile, we waited for the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong to propose the formal formation of our College to the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.
The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong
The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong was formally incorporated on 25th October 1994. The Admission fee to the College at that time was HK$1,000 and annual fee HK$500. The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society also donated HK$45,000 to the College for its initial running. By the second council meeting of the interim council held on 19th January 1995, we received a total of 114 applications for our College Fellowship. A total of 107 applicants were accepted with 3 rejected because of inadequate qualifications and 4 candidates required further details on their training or needed their registration rectified.
An Emergency General Meeting was held on 20th April 1995 in the Hong Kong Eye Hospital whereby office bearers were elected by postal ballot. The following fellows were elected as members of the Council to serve our College for two years:
President
Dr. Timothy Kai Ching LIU
Vice-President (Professional Affairs)
Prof. Mark On Man TSO
Vice-President (General Affairs)
Dr. Siu Ping HUI
Hon. Secretary
Dr. Patrick Pak Chuen TONG
Hon. Treasurer
Dr. Clement Wai Nang CHAN
Editor
Dr. Dennis Shun Chiu LAM
Council Members
Dr. Chung Chai CHI
Dr. Chi Kin HO
Dr. Walton Wai Tat LI
Dr. Raymond Kwok Kay TSE
Dr. Agnes Tao Yan TSE
Dr. Joseph Wing Sang YEUNG