Ophthalmic images is an essential component in modern ophthalmic care. In the past, hard copies images are used and there a number of issues and problems. With the joint effort of staff from various departments, now all the ophthalmic images are digitalized and the images can be shared across the whole Hospital Authority via the CMS. The presenter will review the whole journey for this project.    

Piloting electronic medical records in Ophthalmology has been a challenging journey which kicked off in 2022. Unlike other specialties, there are multiple stops of assessments to be conducted by nurses, allied health or health care assistants prior to doctors' consultations. Therefore, a specific ophthalmology form has to be custom made to allow transition of ophthalmology record into electronic version. In this talk, the difficulties and problems encountered throughout this journey will be shared. In every challenge lives a greater opportunity. The introduction of this electronic ophthalmology record did not only provide a paperless solution, it aims at delivering a safer platform for ophthalmology service as well. This also expands future usage of medical records in terms of artificial intelligence applications and closed-loop communications. As we continued our electronic transition, the bummock of the Iceberg has revealed other new challenges ahead including changes of workflow, need of SOPD prescription documentations. important ophthalmology results alert or screening, inefficient graphic input, etc. Ongoing difficulties for such transition is also expected with the high number of Ophthalmology SOPD attendance, low physician incentives and intrinsic limitations of CMS IV.

The Department of Ophthalmology in Kowloon East Cluster serves a vibrant community of 1.2 million along the eastern peninsula of Kowloon. Amidst a backdrop of rapid aging and prevalent underprivileged population, the demand for public ophthalmic services is profound. With the Kowloon Easter Cluster ophthalmic clinical services distributed across ten sites in two acute hospitals, clear and effective communication becomes essential for delivering quality care.
Over the past two decades, the Kowloon East Cluster Department of Ophthalmology has navigated numerous challenges, notably enduring long waiting times for cataract surgery and specialized outpatient department appointment. Professor Kenneth Li, Chief of Service, will guide us through their remarkable journey, illustrating how the adoption of electronic health records has not only helped to address these challenges but also fostered a commitment to Sustain"Eye"bility in Kowloon East Cluster.

Smartphone-based innovations are revolutionizing ophthalmic care by addressing global disparities in access and efficiency through the integration of mobile health (mHealth), artificial intelligence (AI), and IoT. Pioneered by Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center-China's top-ranked eye hospital and home to the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology-these advancements include AI-driven tools for early detection of congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus in children via gaze analysis, enabling home-based visual impairment screening. Smartphone apps also support rare ocular surface tumor diagnosis with virtual triage and referral, while AI-powered follow-up systems improve postoperative compliance. Non-invasive prenatal risk prediction for congenital eye diseases, delivered via a free real-time app, achieves 90% accuracy using machine learning. The team addresses data security through 3D reconstruction and deep learning, enabling "disease recognition without personal identification" to safeguard privacy. Cost-effectiveness analyses confirm smartphone-AI screening as the optimal solution for urban and rural populations. Further innovations include 5G-enabled mobile clinics and an internet hospital platform handling 30,000+ annual visits, offering AI triage, teleconsultations, and cloud-based diagnostics. With over 1.5 million annual outpatient visits and a role in training 20% of China's ophthalmologists, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center exemplifies translational impact, merging cutting-edge technology with scalable solutions. This work underscores mHealth's transformative potential in democratizing eye care, enhancing clinical efficiency, and setting new global standards for ophthalmology.

In this presentation, I will discuss the transformative impact of AI on ophthalmology, tracing the journey from initial research concepts to practical clinical applications. We will delve into the specific barriers, such as technical, economic, and logistical challenges, that hinder clinical adoption of AI. Additionally, I will propose strategies to overcome these obstacles and outline the development of AI-powered IT infrastructure for real-world implementation, focusing on clinical workflows and data security measures. The presentation will conclude with a look at future directions in this field, highlighting the importance of ongoing innovation and learning to enhance patient care and improve healthcare systems.