Research Projects
Tracking Glaucoma with Virtual Reality

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting approximately 76 million patients worldwide. Characterized by chronic degeneration of the optic nerve, glaucoma patients develop progressive decline in visual performance, with increasing vision-related disability over time. Difficulties with steps and poor night vision are frequent vision-related disabilities reported by glaucoma patients. Glaucoma patients are also at risk of falls and motor vehicle collisions. Regular assessment of vision-related disability is therefore critical to inform disease impact on daily activities, assess prognosis, and guide treatment decision. Although perimetry is the current standard to monitor visual function in patients with glaucoma, how progressive visual field loss measured with perimetry relates to progressive development of vision-related disability experienced by patients in the real-world is poorly understood. The proposed study will apply an innovative technique, using virtual reality simulation of real-world activities to evaluate and monitor vision-related disability experienced by glaucoma patients in the real-world. Completion of the project will bring forth a more effective paradigm to monitor progressive development of vision-related disability experienced by glaucoma patients.

Professor CKS Leung, Department of Ophthalmology

Research Areas and Interests:

1. Diagnostic technologies for detection and monitoring of glaucoma and optic neuropathies  
2. Biology of retinal ganglion cells and retinal nerve fibre layer 
3. Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative therapies 

Biography
cleung21@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

1. your CV,
2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.