Program Overview

Ocular Imaging Fellowship Programme

Introduction

The Ocular Imaging Team of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences operates at Hong Kong Eye Hospital, the teaching eye hospital of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The key areas of our research focus on retinal nerve fiber, optic disc and retinal ganglion cells imaging. We also integrate with other subspecialties to employ new imaging technologies to study corneal and retinal diseases in both clinical and experimental settings. Fellows of the CUHK-HKEH-PWH International Ophthalmology Fellowship Programme will actively participate in all clinical services and various research projects. During the Fellowship, each Fellow should complete at least one research project as principle investigator.

Our Research Fields

• Optic disc and nerve fiber layer imaging
  • Measurement of optic disc parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is important for detecting and following glaucoma. High speed, high resolution imaging of the retina and optic disc is now possible with the availability of new imaging technologies including spectral domain optical coherence tomography, scanning laser polarimetry and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. The research team in CUHK is developing new algorithms to detect and analyze progressive damage of the optic nerve head and nerve fiber layer in glaucoma.
• Retinal ganglion cells imaging and neuroprotection
  • In collaboration with Prof. Robert Weinreb at the Hamilton Glaucoma Center of UCSD, an animal model was developed to visualize individual retinal neurons in vivo. This model provides a non-invasive approach for longitudinal study of the mechanism of retinal ganglion cell degeneration and the effect of neuroprotective agents.
• Anterior segment imaging
  • Angle closure glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in Asia. In collaboration with Prof. Robert Ritch at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, the investigators are investigating the morphology of the anterior chamber angle and other biometric risk factors in relation to angle closure glaucoma.
• Clinical application of ocular imaging technologies

Recent Representative Publications

1. Ren JL, Yu QX, Ma D, Liang WC, Leung PY, Ng TK, Chu WK, Schally AV, Pang CP, Chan SO. Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor mediates cytokine production in ciliary and iris epithelial cells during LPS-induced ocular inflammation. Exp Eye Res. 2019 Mar 1;181:277-284.
2. Rong SS, Lu SY, Matsushita K, Huang C, Leung CKS, Kawashima R, Usui S, Tam POS, Young AL, Tsujikawa M, Zhang M, Nishida K, Wiggs JL, Tham CC, Pang CP, Chen LJ. Association of the SIX6 locus with primary open angle glaucoma in southern Chinese and Japanese. Exp Eye Res. 2019 Mar;180:129-136.
3. Yang Q, Jhanji V, Tan SQ, Chan KP, Cao D, Chu WK, Zhang M, Pang CP, Ng TK. Continuous exposure of nicotine and cotinine retards human primary pterygium cell proliferation and migration. J Cell Biochem. 2019 Mar;120(3).
4. Li J, Yip YWY, Ren J, Hui WK, He JN, Yu QX, Chu KO, Ng TK, Chan SO, Pang CP, Chu WK. Green tea catechins alleviate autoimmune symptoms and visual impairment in a murine model for human chronic intraocular inflammation by inhibiting Th17-associated pro-inflammatory gene expression. Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 19;9(1):2301.
5. Xie R, Zhang M, Venkatraman P, Zhang X, Zhang G, Carmer R, Kantola SA, Pang CP, Ma P, Zhang M, Zhong W, Leung YF. Normalization of large-scale behavioural data collected from zebrafish. PLoS One. 2019 Feb 15;14(2).
6. Wong JSC, Chu WK, Li BFL, Zhang BN, Pang CP, Chong KKL. Elevated bone morphogenic protein 4 expression implicated in site-specific adipogenesis in thyroid associated orbitopathy. Exp Eye Res. 2019 Feb 2;181:185-189.
7. Huang L, Chen Y, Lin Y, Tam POS, Cheng Y, Shi Y, Gong B, Lu F, Yang J4, Wang H, Yin Y, Cao Y, Jiang D, Zhong L, Xue B, Wang J, Hao F, Lee DY, Pang CP, Sun X, Yang Z. Genome-wide analysis identified 17 new loci influencing intraocular pressure in Chinese population. Sci China Life Sci. 2019 Feb;62(2):153-164.
8. Yam JC, Jiang Y, Tang SM, Law AKP, Chan JJ, Wong E, Ko ST, Young AL, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP. Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops in Myopia Control. Ophthalmology. 2019 Jan;126(1):113-124.
9. Ng TK, Yang Q, Fortino VR, Lai NY, Carballosa CM, Greenberg JM, Choy KW, Pelaez D, Pang CP, Cheung HS. MicroRNA-132 directs human periodontal ligament-derived neural crest stem cell neural differentiation. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2019 Jan;13(1):12-24.
10. Tang SM, Lau T, Rong SS, Yazar S, Chen LJ, Mackey DA, Lucas RM, Pang CP, Yam JC. Vitamin D and its pathway genes in myopia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2019 Jan;103(1):8-17.
11. Mak CY, Yam JC, Chen LJ, Lee SM, Young AL. Epidemiology of myopia and prevention of myopia progression in children in East Asia: a review. Hong Kong Med J. 2018 Dec;24(6):602-609.
12. Wang YM, Ma L, Lu SY, Chan TCY, Yam JCS, Tang SM, Kam KW, Tam POS, Tham CC, Young AL, Jhanji V, Pang CP, Chen LJ. Analysis of multiple genetic loci reveals MPDZ-NF1B rs as a putative genetic marker for keratoconus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Dec;102(12).
13. Cen LP, Liu YF, Ng TK, Luo JM, van Rooijen N, Zhang M, Pang CP, Cui Q. Casein kinase-II inhibition promotes retinal ganglion cell survival and axonal regeneration. Exp Eye Res. 2018 Dec;177:153-159.
14. Chu KO, Chan KP, Chan SO, Ng TK, Jhanji V, Wang CC, Pang CP. Metabolomics of Green-Tea Catechins on Vascular-Endothelial-Growth-Factor-Stimulated Human-Endothelial-Cell Survival. J Agric Food Chem. 2018 Nov 27.
15. Huang B, Liang JJ, Zhuang X, Chen SW, Ng TK, Chen H. Intravitreal Injection of Hydrogen Peroxide Induces Acute Retinal Degeneration, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in Mice. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Nov 8;2018.
16. Yip YWY, Man TC, Pang CP, Brelén ME. Improving the quality of electroretinogram recordings using active electrodes. Exp Eye Res. 2018 Nov;176:46-52.
17. Young AL, Cao D, Chu WK, Ng TK, Yip YWY, Jhanji V, Pang CP. The Evolving Story of Pterygium. Cornea. 2018 Nov;37 Suppl 1:S55-S57.
18. Huang Y, Ng TK, Chen CB, Huang B, Liang J, Pang CP, Zhang M. Notch Signaling Activation Enhances Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Retinal Differentiation. Stem Cells Int. 2018 Oct 16;2018.
19. Qin YJ, Chu WK, Huang L, Ng CHY, Chan TCY, Cao D, Yang C, Zhang L, Huang SP, Li J, Lin HL, Li WQ, Chen L, Schally AV, Chan SO, Zhang HY, Pang CP. Induction of Apoptosis in Pterygium Cells by Antagonists of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Receptors. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018 Oct 1;59(12).
20. Yim CL, Tam M, Chan HL, Tang SM, Au SCL, Yip WWK, Ko STC, Rong SS, Chen LJ, Ng DS, Yam JCS. Association of antenatal steroid and risk of retinopathy of prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Oct;102(10).
21. Cao D, Ng TK, Yip YWY, Young AL, Pang CP, Chu WK, Jhanji V. p53 inhibition by MDM2 in human pterygium. Exp Eye Res. 2018 Oct;175:142-147.
22. Huang L, Zhang X, Tam POS, Chen H, Hao F, Pang CP, Wen F, Yang Z. Association of coding and UTR variants in the known regions with wet age-related macular degeneration in Han Chinese population. J Hum Genet. 2018 Oct;63(10).
23. Chan VTT, Sun Z, Tang S, Chen LJ, Wong A, Tham CC, Wong TY, Chen C, Ikram MK, Whitson HE, Lad EM, Mok VCT, Cheung CY. Spectral-Domain OCT Measurements in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2018 Aug 13.
24. Wong JSC, Chu WK, Li BF, Pang CP, Chong KK. Depot-specific characteristics of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells in thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Aug;102(8).
25. Cen LP, Ng TK. Stem cell therapy for retinal ganglion cell degeneration. Neural Regen Res. 2018 Aug;13(8).
26. Jiang Y, Chu WK. Potential Roles of the Retinoblastoma Protein in Regulating Genome Editing. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2018 Jul 31;6:81.
27. Cheung CY, Li J, Yuan N, Lau GYL, Chan AYF, Lam A, Tang FY, Tham CC, Pang CP, Chen LJ, Yam JC. Quantitative retinal microvasculature in children using swept-source optical coherence tomography: the Hong Kong Children Eye Study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jun 28.
28. Cen LP, Ng TK, Liang JJ, Zhuang X, Yao X, Yam GH, Chen H, Cheung HS, Zhang M1, Pang CP. Human Periodontal Ligament-Derived Stem Cells Promote Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Axon Regeneration After Optic Nerve Injury. Stem Cells. 2018 Jun;36(6):844-855.
29. Cao D, Chu WK, Ng TK, Yip YWY, Young AL, Pang CP, Jhanji V. Cellular Proliferation and Migration of Human Pterygium Cells: Mitomycin Versus Small-Molecule Inhibitors. Cornea. 2018 Jun;37(6):760-766.
30. Ng DS, Sun Z, Young AL, Ko ST, Lok JK, Lai TY, Sikder S, Tham CC. Impact of virtual reality simulation on learning barriers of phacoemulsification perceived by residents. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018 May 11;12:885-893.
31. Zhang BN, Bueno Venegas A, Hickson ID, Chu WK. DNA replication stress and its impact on chromosome segregation and tumorigenesis. Semin Cancer Biol. 2018 Apr 21.
32. Tang SM, Ma L, Lu SY, Wang YM, Kam KW, Tam POS, Young AL, Pang CP, Yam JCS, Chen LJ. Association of the PAX6 gene with extreme myopia rather than lower grade myopias. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Apr;102(4):570-574.
33. Teng Y, Yam GH, Li N, Wu S, Ghosh A, Wang N, Pang CP, Jhanji V. MicroRNA regulation of MDM2-p53 loop in pterygium. Exp Eye Res. 2018 Apr;169:149-156.
34. Huang C, Xie L, Wu Z, Cao Y, Zheng Y, Pang CP, Zhang M. Detection of mutations in MYOC, OPTN, NTF4, WDR36 and CYP1B1 in Chinese juvenile onset open-angle glaucoma using exome sequencing. Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 14;8(1):4498.
35. Wang YM, Ng TK, Choy KW, Wong HK, Chu WK, Pang CP, Jhanji V. Histological and microRNA Signatures of Corneal Epithelium in Keratoconus. J Refract Surg. 2018 Mar 1;34(3):201-211.
36. Cheng YY, Jin HC, Chan MWY, Chu WK, Grusch M. Epigenetic Biomarkers in Cancer. Dis Markers. 2018 Feb 20;2018.
37. Ren JL, Yu QX, Liang WC, Leung PY, Ng TK, Chu WK, Pang CP, Chan SO. Green tea extract attenuates LPS-induced retinal inflammation in rats. Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 11;8(1):429.
38. Zhang SD, He JN, Niu TT, Liu SS, Chan CY, Ren CY, Liu C, Pang CP, Qu Y, Li RX, Wang HL. Effectiveness of meibomian gland massage combined with topical levofloxacin against ocular surface flora in patients before penetrating ocular surgery. Ocul Surf. 2018 Jan;16(1):70-76.
39. Leygo C, Williams M, Jin HC, Chan MWY, Chu WK, Grusch M, Cheng YY. DNA Methylation as a Noninvasive Epigenetic Biomarker for the Detection of Cancer. Dis Markers. 2017;2017.
40. Zhang L, Zhang X, Zhang G, Pang CP, Leung YF, Zhang M, Zhong W. Expression profiling of the retina of pde6c, a zebrafish model of retinal degeneration. Sci Data. 2017 Dec 12;4.
41. Fan Q, Maranville JC, Fritsche L, Sim X, Cheung CMG, Chen LJ, Gorski M, Yamashiro K, Ahn J, Laude A, Dorajoo R, Lim TH, Teo YY, Blaustein RO, Yoshimura N, Park KH, Pang CP, Tai ES, Khor CC, Wong TY, Runz H, Cheng CY. HDL-cholesterol levels and risk of age-related macular degeneration: a multiethnic genetic study using Mendelian randomization. Int J Epidemiol. 2017 Dec 1;46(6).
42. Xiao X, Cao Y, Zhang Z, Xu Y, Zheng Y, Chen LJ, Pang CP, Chen H. Novel Mutations in PRPF31 Causing Retinitis Pigmentosa Identified Using Whole-Exome Sequencing. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017 Dec 1;58(14).
43. Fan Q, Cheung CMG, Chen LJ, Yamashiro K, Ahn J, Laude A, Mathur R, Mun CC, Yeo IY, Lim TH, Teo YY, Khor CC, Park KH, Yoshimura N, Pang CP, Wong TY, Cheng CY. Shared genetic variants for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration in East Asians. J Hum Genet. 2017 Dec;62(12).
44. Li J, Ren J, Yip YWY, Zhang X, Chu KO, Ng TK, Chan SO, Pang CP, Chu WK. Quantitative Characterization of Autoimmune Uveoretinitis in an Experimental Mouse Model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017 Aug 1;58(10).
45. Tang FY, Ma L, Tam POS, Pang CP, Tham CCY, Chen LJ. Genetic Association of the PARL-ABCC5-HTR3D-HTR3C Locus With Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma in Chinese. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017 Aug 1;58(10).
46. Rong SS, Ma STU, Yu XT, Ma L, Chu WK, Chan TCY, Wang YM, Young AL, Pang CP, Jhanji V, Chen LJ. Genetic associations for keratoconus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 4;7(1):4620.
47. Zhang XY, Ng TK, Brelén ME, Chan KP, Wu D, Yung JSY, Cao D, Wang Y, Zhang S, Chan SO, Pang CP. Disruption of retinal pigment epithelial cell properties under the exposure of cotinine. Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 9;7(1):3139.
48. Liu Y, Ma P, Cassidy PA, Carmer R, Zhang G, Venkatraman P, Brown SA, Pang CP, Zhong W, Zhang M, Leung YF. Statistical Analysis of Zebrafish Locomotor Behaviour by Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 7;7(1):2937.
49. Ganzen L, Venkatraman P, Pang CP, Leung YF, Zhang M8. Utilizing Zebrafish Visual Behaviours in Drug Screening for Retinal Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Jun 2;18(6).
50. Wu XF, Jhanji V, Chen H, Lin HJ, Zhang GH, Brelen M, Chen WQ. Change in Flash Visual Evoked Potentials in New Zealand Albino Rabbits after Sub-tenon’s Anesthesia. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2017 Jun;36(2):118-124.
51. Zhang SD, He JN, Niu TT, Chan CY, Ren CY, Liu SS, Qu Y, Chong KL, Wang HL, Tao J, Pang CP. Bacteriological profile of ocular surface flora in meibomian gland dysfunction. Ocul Surf. 2017 Apr;15(2):242-247.
52. Ng DS, Yip YWY, Bakthavatsalam M, Chen LJ, Ng TK, Lai TY, Pang CP, Brelén ME. Elevated angiopoietin 2 in aqueous of patients with neovascular age related macular degeneration correlates with disease severity at presentation. Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 27;7:45081.
53. Ma L, Brelen ME, Tsujikawa M, Chen H, Chu WK, Lai TY, Ng DS, Sayanagi K, Hara C, Hashida N, Chan VC, Tam PO, Young AL, Chen W, Nishida K, Pang CP, Chen LJ. Identification of ANGPT2 as a New Gene for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in the Chinese and Japanese Populations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017 Feb 1;58(2).
54. Jhanji V, Chan TC, Li WY, Lim RR, Yu MC, Law K, Yi P, Yip YW, Wang Y, Ng TK, Chaurasia SS, Mohan RR. Conventional Versus Inverted Side-cut Flaps for Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK: Laboratory and Clinical Evaluation. J Refract Surg. 2017 Feb 1;33(2):96-103.
55. Pelaez D, Acosta Torres Z, Ng TK Choy KW, Pang CP, Cheung HS. Cardiomyogenesis of periodontal ligament-derived stem cells by dynamic tensile strain. Cell Tissue Res. 2017 Feb;367(2):229-241.
56. Ng TK, Liang XY, Lu F, Liu DT, Yam GH, Ma L, Tam PO, Chen H, Cen LP, Chen LJ, Yang Z, Pang CP. Protective effects of an HTRA1 insertion-deletion variant against age-related macular degeneration in the Chinese populations. Lab Invest. 2017 Jan;97(1):43-52.