Recently, the inaugural Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) - Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Joint Symposium was held at the Zhujiang New Town Campus of ZOC, Sun Yat-sen University.
Organized by ZOC, the Symposium featured distinguished guests including Prof. Sophie X. Deng (Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; ARVO President), Prof. SriniVas R. Sadda (Doheny Eye Institute, UCLA, USA; Immediate Past ARVO President), Prof. LI Wei (Shangsi Institute for Neuroscience and Vision, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; ARVO Vice President-Elect; former Chief of the Section on Retinal Neurophysiology at the National Eye Institute, NIH, USA), Prof. HE Mingguang (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Prof. Patrick Yu-Wai-Man (University of Cambridge / Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK), Prof. Ying HAN (University of California, San Francisco, USA), and Dr. Ssali Grace Nsibirwa (Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mulago Hospital, Uganda). The event brought together dozens of leading scientists from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa to explore how technological innovation can empower ophthalmic diagnosis, treatment, and basic research. Institutions such as the Keyatta University and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) from Kenya, as well as Makerere University and Mulago Hospital from Uganda, participated online.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Sophie X. Deng, President of ARVO, congratulated ZOC on its 60th anniversary. She noted that ARVO and ZOC share a long-standing commitment to deepening the understanding of the visual system worldwide and expressed hope that this symposium would foster deeper exchange and collaboration between the two parties in ophthalmic technological innovation and basic research.
The joint Symposium facilitated intensive and interdisciplinary dialogues on cutting-edge topics including corneal regeneration and stem cell therapy, the application and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology, and visual system development and neuroprotection. Prof. Sophie X. Deng shared clinical and research advances in treating limbal stem cell deficiency. Prof. LIANG Lingyi delivered a keynote speech on the application of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in managing immune-mediated ocular surface diseases. Prof. SriniVas R. Sadda elaborated on the opportunities and challenges of AI in clinical practice, while Prof. LIN Haotian's team presented their remarkable research on AI-assisted non-invasive diagnostic technology for chronic kidney disease using retinal imaging. Prof. LI Wei introduced human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglial replacement therapy as a novel potential therapeutic strategy for retinal diseases, and Prof. LIU Sheng shared insights into linking single-cell transcriptomics with physiological phenotypes.
The experts not only shared the latest original research progress but also proposed constructive solutions and explored feasible collaboration pathways. This has laid a solid foundation for subsequent in-depth research and opened a new chapter for exchange and cooperation between the two sides in scientific exploration and technological innovation.
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the world’s largest and most influential professional organization in the field of vision and ophthalmic research. It brings together researchers including ophthalmologists and vision scientists, dedicated to advancing vision science and ophthalmic medicine through knowledge sharing and international collaboration.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC), home to the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) headquarters and supported by top-tier research platforms such as the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, has achieved fruitful results in both basic research and clinical translation. It has ranked first among ophthalmic institutions worldwide in the Nature Index for the past two years.
With the theme of "Advancing Eye Care Through Scientific and Technological Innovation", this joint symposium successfully established a high-level international dialogue platform. The meeting not only conducted in-depth discussions on cutting-edge scientific issues, but also effectively promoted the convergence of top global research forces, marking a significant milestone for global ophthalmological community. Taking the Symposium as a new starting point, the collaboration between ZOC and ARVO will set a benchmark for innovation and cooperation in global eye health, jointly advancing towards a clearer and healthier future.
