Introduction to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC), Sun Yat-sen University

Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University is the largest public ophthalmic hospital in China. It is the only ophthalmic specialty hospital directly administered by the National Health Commission (NHC), China's sole World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Eye Care and Vision, and the one and only headquarters location in China for international medical academic organizations (Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) and Afro-Asian Council of Ophthalmology (AACO) Asia Office). Aiming to become a world-class ophthalmic center, ZOC adheres to a development strategy of "upholding scientific self-reliance and self-improvement, strengthening talent team development, pursuing internationalization, and fostering collaborative innovation." This strategy has enabled pioneering breakthroughs from concept to reality in interdisciplinary research integrating ophthalmology and cutting-edge life sciences, basic research, clinical studies, advanced technologies, and translational applications.

Zhujiang New Town Premises of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center

Outpatient Hall (Top) and Operating Room (Bottom)

ZOC is a national innovation hub in ophthalmology. As the eyes are humans' most vital sensory organs, eye health is intrinsically linked to sustainable human development and well-being. Guided by major national needs and focused on the early prevention and treatment of eye diseases, ZOC conducts cross-disciplinary research centered on visual health, encompassing:

• Mechanisms of early pathological changes in ocular tissues/cells and identification of specific therapeutic targets.
• Artificial intelligence (AI)-based early diagnosis and warning systems for eye diseases.
• Development of precision biological therapies (e.g., regenerative, immune, gene-based) for eye diseases.
• Independent R&D, translational application, validation, and evaluation of ophthalmic drugs and emerging technologies to support global strategy.
• Clinical research on novel strategies for early eye disease prevention and treatment.
• Investigation into the mechanisms of myopia onset and population-based prevention strategies.

ZOC boasts a high-caliber research team, including 2 recipients of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, 2 Chang Jiang Scholars, 8 National High-Level Overseas Talents, 2 National High-Level Talents of the "Ten Thousand Talents Plan," and 4 recipients of the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars. The center leads major national research initiatives such as NSFC Innovative Research Groups, "973 Program" projects, National Key R&D Programs, and NSFC Key Projects. It has been awarded 11 National Science and Technology Awards and produced a series of world-leading research achievements:

1. First functional human lens regeneration in clinical practice (Nature 2016): Solved the global challenge of lens absence post-congenital cataract surgery; recognized as one of "8 Breakthrough Medical Advances Worldwide" by Nature Medicine.

2. Pioneered and led the international development of ophthalmic AI systems: Created the world's first privacy-preserving "Digital Mask" (Nature Medicine 2022); developed the world's first AI system for infant visual function screening (Nature Medicine 2023); established an intelligent "AI-assisted three-tiered screening model" deployed across 35 institutions in China and BRI countries, screening over 50 million individuals.

3. Discovered outdoor activity effectively prevents juvenile myopia (JAMA 2015): Findings incorporated into WHO and Chinese national (8 ministries) myopia prevention guidelines, elevating juvenile myopia prevention to a national strategy in China.

4. Transformed glaucoma prevention strategy (Lancet 2019): Demonstrated low progression rates from "high-risk" angle-closure glaucoma identified via community screening.

  Pioneered gut microbiome link to inherited retinal diseases (Cell 2024): Proposed novel antibacterial/gut-targeted gene therapy approaches.

5. Developed China's only two independently discovered Class I ophthalmic chemical drugs, with related patents successfully transferred.

  Created indigenous innovations: 5G-enabled mobile ophthalmic clinics and a 5G remote-controlled micron-precision ophthalmic surgical robot.

Research Building, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center

ZOC is the largest ophthalmic talent training base in China. Leveraging its disciplinary strengths and fostering interdisciplinary integration, the center cultivates visionary, responsible, and well-rounded ophthalmic leaders with excellence in both clinical skills and research capabilities, serving national strategies, public needs, and global eye health.

As China's first institution authorized to confer Doctoral/Master's degrees in Ophthalmology and a national-level Continuing Medical Education base, ZOC is the premier training ground, having produced over 2,900 Masters/PhDs and trained more than 6,000 visiting physicians, accounting for 1/5 of China's ophthalmologists. For nearly 50 years, ZOC has served international medical aid, notably establishing the first modern ophthalmic center in the Maldives.

Academic Lecture Hall, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center

ZOC is a globally influential institution and a referral center for complex eye diseases. It shapes international standards for eye examinations, diagnostic/treatment consensus, and guidelines. Sharing expertise on complex cases in top-tier medical journals, ZOC contributes Chinese insights and approaches to global ophthalmology. As the one and only WHO Collaborating Centre for Eye Care and Vision China, headquarters of APAO, AACO Asia Office, a member of the China-UK-US Ophthalmology Alliance, and the lead institution establishing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Ophthalmology, ZOC is at the forefront of international collaboration.

ZOC EYE MUSEUM