Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman once expressed with amazement that Hong Kong, without natural resources or strong governmental protection, had transformed itself from a small fishing village into an international center of finance and business within a few decades after the Second World War. Indeed, the greatest resource of Hong Kong is its people; intelligent, dedicated and hardworking. With a strong work ethic and benefits of being geographically located at the crossroads between East and West, the people of Hong Kong press on with the entire world as their theatre of operation, learning from both East and West and carrying no excessive burden of tradition. Hong Kong cherishes the health of its population so that its most precious resource, its people, may continue to be productive in the coming century.

The ophthalmic service administered through the DOVS is centered mainly at the Hong Kong Eye Hospital, the Princes of Wales Hospital, and their affiliated hospitals. Altogether we see more than 300,000 outpatient attendances and perform more than 8,000 cataract operations each year. To maximize cost-effectiveness in the use of resources and to develop international excellence in ophthalmology in Hong Kong, the Department organizes ophthalmic training programs for medical officers in training, practicing physicians in the community and allied health care personnel. The array of programs assures a stimulating environment for learning.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

A series of community service programs benefiting the needy have been launched in collaboration with various organizations including The Action for Vision Foundation, Lifeline Express, Fight for Sight Foundation, and SightFirst China Action. Some of our community service programs for the public are:
Visual Screening for Pre-school Children 1995
High Myopia Screening for adults (Shatin Health Festival) 1996
Diabetic Eye Screening 1999
Eye Screening for Elderly in the Home of the Aged 1999
Eye Exhibition & Health Talks 1999
Eye Care Service for the poor, Shantou, 1999
Community Eye Screening for Elderly 2000
Eye Care Service for the poor, Shantou, 2000