Asia's Myopia Epidemic and the Urgent Call for Precision Eye Health

In Asia, where urban lifestyles and intensive education systems prevail, eye health challenges have reached critical levels. Singapore, for instance, reports myopia prevalence among young adults exceeding 80%, with Primary 1 children at 26% in recent 2023 data, down from higher rates but still alarming. High myopia, defined as spherical equivalent ≤ -5.00 diopters, increases risks for serious conditions like retinal detachment and glaucoma. Hong Kong mirrors this trend, with adolescent rates nearing 90%. These statistics underscore the need for precision eye health—tailored interventions using genetics, AI, and advanced imaging to predict, prevent, and treat vision loss proactively.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Faculty of Medicine are addressing this through a strengthened partnership. Announced recently, this collaboration leverages complementary strengths: NUS's clinical and translational expertise via its InVision Centre, and CUHK's prowess in ophthalmic genetics and imaging. For aspiring researchers and clinicians, such alliances open doors to cutting-edge research jobs in ophthalmology.

NUS InVision: A Hub for Innovation in Precision Eye Health

Launched in October 2024, NUS's Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health (InVision) spearheads population-level vision protection. Directed by Prof Ching-Yu Cheng, it operates on three pillars: data science for prediction, digital innovation for new care models, and precision therapeutics for major and inherited diseases. InVision integrates multimodal data—genomics, imaging, wearables—to model disease progression and personalize care.

Key initiatives include oculomics (eye-based systemic health biomarkers) and AI-driven diagnostics. With Singapore's myopia crisis as backdrop, InVision's work could reduce prevalence by advancing early interventions. Students at NUS benefit from hands-on projects, preparing them for academic careers.

CUHK Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: Genetics and Imaging Leadership

CUHK's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS), chaired by Prof Clement Tham, excels in genetic research and advanced imaging. Prof Calvin Pang's work on ophthalmic genetics identifies mutations for inherited diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. CUHK's AI applications in glaucoma and retinal analysis complement NUS efforts, fostering joint publications and trials.

This expertise aligns with Hong Kong's high myopia burden, where genetic factors interplay with environment. Collaborative platforms enable shared datasets, accelerating discoveries in precision medicine.

From MOU to Deepened Alliance: Timeline of NUS-CUHK Partnership

The partnership began with a February 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by NUS Dean Prof Yap-Seng Chong, CUHK Dean Prof Philip Chiu, and department heads. It focused on joint research, AI initiatives, exchanges, and activities to advance personalized eye care.

The latest development, announced March 2, 2026, deepens ties with specific projects: AI for glaucoma, Global RETFound AI model, oculomics, myopia genetics, inherited eye diseases, stem cell therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and AMD genetics. Prof Cheng noted, "Academic partnerships like this drive innovation at scale."

This evolution reflects growing Asia-Pacific focus on cross-border higher ed collaborations. For faculty, it means joint grants; for students, exchange programs via scholarships.

AI-Driven Advances: Global RETFound and Beyond

Central to the partnership is the Global RETFound initiative, building on RETFound—the first AI foundation model for retinal and systemic diseases using 1.6 million fundus images. Led by CUHK and NUS with UCL and Moorfields, it aims for 100 million images for equitable AI diagnostics across diseases like diabetic retinopathy.

RETFound detects not just eye issues but heart disease risks from retinal scans. Step-by-step: train on diverse datasets, validate multi-disease, deploy in clinics. This could cut diagnostic times 50%, vital for Singapore's aging population (20% over 65 by 2030).

Joint AI-glaucoma projects use predictive modeling for progression, integrating genetics and imaging.

Targeting Inherited Diseases and Regenerative Therapies

Inherited retinal diseases affect 1 in 4,000, causing blindness. NUS-CUHK collaboration sequences genes for variants, developing targeted therapies. CUHK's genetic databases pair with NUS clinical trials.

Stem cell therapy for AMD: transplant retinal pigment epithelium cells to restore function. Process: derive iPSCs from patients, differentiate to RPE, transplant subretinally. Early trials show safety; partnership accelerates Phase II.

• Gene identification via whole-genome sequencing
• CRISPR editing for mutations
• Personalized stem cell lines

Myopia genetics: identify risk loci for interventions. AMD genetics maps progression modifiers.

Oculomics: Eyes as Windows to Systemic Health

Oculomics analyzes retinal images for biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, diabetes. NUS-CUHK share datasets for robust models, improving accuracy 20-30%. In Singapore, where diabetes prevalence is 11%, early detection saves S$1B annually.

This interdisciplinary work trains PhD students in bioinformatics, ideal for postdoc positions.

Educational Exchanges and Career Opportunities

Beyond research, exchanges for students and faculty foster skills in precision medicine. NUS and CUHK host joint workshops, PhD co-supervision. In Singapore's competitive higher ed, such ties boost employability; CUHK grads access regional networks.

Check Rate My Professor for insights on ophthalmology faculty. Explore university jobs in eye research.

Photo by Mihail Cioinica on Unsplash

Challenges, Impacts, and Future Horizons

Challenges: data privacy (GDPR-like in Asia), diverse ethnicity representation, funding. Solutions: federated learning for RETFound, grants from NMRC Singapore, RGC Hong Kong.

Impacts: reduced blindness rates 15-20% by 2035, trained 500+ specialists. Future: clinical trials 2027, spin-offs for AI tools.

This NUS-CUHK model inspires Singapore-HK higher ed synergy. For career advice, visit higher ed career advice; browse higher ed jobs, rate my professor, university jobs.