Research Projects
Corneal Analysis for Peripheral Neuropathy


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☒ MRes[Med] ☑ URIS

Diabetes is a world epidemic. It was estimated that 1 in 11 adults (9.1%, 463 million) suffered from diabetes in 2019 worldwide (IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edition) while 1 in 5 diabetics are >65 years old (136 million).  This number will increase by 52% in 2045 (700 million). Meanwhile, diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes in the middle-aged working population. Lack of good methodology has made its diagnosis challenging. 

Cornea is highly innervated by Adelta and unmyelinated C fibres, which are often affected in diabetic neuropathy. Non-invasive examination of corneal nerve sensitivity and morphometry may function as an early marker for diabetic neuropathy.

Dr ACY Lo, Department of Ophthalmology

Dr Amy Lo obtained her PhD from the Department of Neuroscience in Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and joined the then newly established Eye Institute in Sep 2006. One of the PI’s research themes is neuroprotection in retinal ischemia/reperfusion using various mouse models. She has track record on understanding the pathogenesis of retinal ischemia from which several papers are published. She is well trained in rodent retinal phenotypic analyses.

Biography
amylo@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. 

Research @ Department of Ophthalmology