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Chris Davis

University centre wants the public to see the importance of early and regular check-ups

EYESIGHT IS ONE of the most valued of the human senses, but many people fail to recognise the importance of   regular eye check-ups to maintain good vision and  detect potential problems.

Primary eye care can lead to the early detection of a range of  eye diseases and provide solutions for problems that  could become more serious, or even untreatable.

The  PolyVision Eyecare  Centre and its optometry consortium partnership scheme aims to provide convenient and comprehensive eye examinations.

The  recently set up multimillion-dollar centre, in the Hopewell Centre, Wanchai, is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and operated by fully trained optometrists from  the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's (PolyU) optometry department.

The centre seeks  to  raise awareness of the need for regular eye check-ups by making quality primary eye care affordable and  accessible.

PolyVision optometrists examine the internal and external structures of the eyes to diagnose vision conditions such as far-sightedness (hyperopia), near-sightedness (myopia), astigmatism (a condition where the cornea is shaped like a football or egg rather than a baseball) and presbyopia (an age-related condition of blurred vision that usually occurs among people in their 40s).

They check for eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataract and retinal disorders, and systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

They also carry out  further testing to determine a patient's ability to focus and co-ordinate their eyes, and to judge depth and see colours.

'This new facility is the first step in giving Hong Kong people a level of quality primary eye care that they need and deserve,' said PolyVision chief executive George Woo, who is also associate dean of PolyU's Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, and chair professor of optometry in the optometry and radiography department.

'Our extensive one-stop service ensures that the maximum amount of eye care is provided in a primary care setting by trained specialists who are able to detect and take the appropriate measures to deal with eye problems.'

PolyU is the only institution in Hong Kong to offer optometric education, and has received worldwide acclaim for its programmes and research.

Professor Woo said the centre, in addition to providing quality  sight-testing services,  would play a vital role in detecting eye disease and should be considered an integral part of Hong Kong's primary health-care structure.

Each examination takes between 45 minutes  and an hour, and costs $350. The centre can handle about 30 patients a day, with this number expected to reach  70 by the end of next year.

Professor Woo believes expanding Hong Kong's optometric services will result in an improved health service targeting the needs of individuals based not just on treatment and appropriate referrals but also on prevention.

To expand the concept and turn PolyVision into a brand name, established optometrists  have been invited to join the consortium by adding the centre's  brand name to their  private practices.

PolyU's optometry department is responsible for setting entrance requirements and criteria for  practising procedures for members to follow.

At present, only about 1 per cent of patients requiring primary eye care receive attention through the  department's  clinic and about 20 private practices.

The goal of the PolyVision partnership scheme  is to offer 10 per cent of the population quality primary eye-care services within the next 10 years.

Professor Woo said citywide partnerships would give patients the benefits of local access, shorter waiting times, more convenient appointments and a reduction in lengthy trips to hospitals.

Public hospitals handle about 500,000 patients with eye problems each year, but are unable to offer a primary eye-care service.

Most adults should have a thorough eye examination every year or two, although some will need more frequent  examinations if they have, or are at risk of developing, certain  vision problems.

Children should have their eyes  tested when they are between two and three years old, and annually thereafter. More frequent check-ups may be required if problem symptoms occur.



PolyU brings eye care into focus