Focusing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
Good morning, thanks for having this morning. At Orbis, we have a simple belief: protecting vision isn’t just a medical issue; it’s a community responsibility. Every one of us has a part to play in helping others keep sight safe. Today, I’d like to tell you a story - the story of Hong Kong’s aging eyes, and why half of our population may soon face serious vision challenges.
When you think of Hong Kong, what comes to mind? Neon lights, the serene views, the dense forest of skyscrapers. We are a city that sees the world in colour and in movement. But behind that beauty, a silent crisis has been developing among our older population.
In late 2025, Orbis collaborated with the Department of Ophthalmology at HKUMed to release results from the largest community glaucoma-screening project ever done in Hong Kong. The results were a wake-up call, not just for everyone over 50, but for everyone who loves someone over 50.
As we age, our bodies begin to change - gently, and gradually. But within our eyes, something more dangerous starts to happen: the risk of vision-threatening diseases rises sharply after 50.
The three biggest culprits here in Hong Kong are: cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Cataracts are like looking through a frosted dirty window. The world turns cloudy and dim. Thankfully, surgery can restore clear sight.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) attacks your central vision. It’s what you use to read, drive, or recognize a loved one’s face. It may not cause total blindness, but it steals your quality of life.
And then, there’s glaucoma, the silent thief of sight. It creeps in slowly, quietly damaging the optic nerve - the delicate cable that connects the eye to the brain. There’s no pain. No early symptoms. You don’t even know it’s happening… until a quarter of your vision is already gone.
Once those nerve fibers die, they’re gone forever. We can’t bring them back. All we can do is stop more from dying, curb it from getting worse, stop one from becoming blind. For years, we suspected glaucoma was widespread in Hong Kong. But we didn’t know how widespread or common it was - until now.
Over two years, Orbis and HKUMed conducted a project we called Vision Matters. We went into public housing estates, from Southern District, Kwun Tong and Taipo etc, inviting residents aged 50 and above for free, comprehensive eye exams. More than 5,800 people across our city took part.
The results were staggering. We found optic-nerve degeneration in 11.6 percent of participants, and confirmed glaucoma in 6.9 percent of them. For context, that’s higher than previous estimates across the entire Chinese population.
So, what’s going on? Is Hong Kong somehow “sicker”? Not necessarily. In truth, the difference lies in the technology. We were only able to identify these occurrences because of the technology we used. Our study used an AI-powered tool called ROTA to identify at-risk patients. Now, a traditional scan can tell you if your optic nerve - imagine a rope - is getting thinner. But ROTA goes deeper. It shows whether the threads within that rope are beginning to fray. This means it can catch glaucoma damage far earlier, often before patients notice a single symptom.
Currently, if referred to a specialist out-patient clinic, the wait time can be as long as 117 weeks. That is over two years. For glaucoma, two years of waiting means two years of irreversible vision damage.
Here’s how AI integration changes a lot of everything. Because when a doctor spots even the smallest hint of trouble, AI can help flag high-risk patients faster, triage them sooner, push them to the front of the list and make sure they see a specialist in time.
It won’t erase the two-year waiting list overnight, but it could save sight before it’s too late.
Our AI-powered diagnostic system will soon be deployed in Hong Kong West and Kowloon East clusters. And that’s what Orbis does best: bridging innovation and humanity. Around the world, our team ensures that innovation travels faster than distance. The fight against blindness is no longer just about scalpels and predictions. It’s about data and predictions. It’s about catching the thief before it steals your sight.
Through Cybersight AI, a groundbreaking Orbis diagnostic platform, specialist-level eye screening can be “air-dropped” into even the most remote villages. Imagine this: a local nurse in a rural community takes a photo of a patient’s retina. Within seconds, the AI detects early signs of blinding diseases and alerts doctors miles away. That speed and that precision can be the difference between permanent vision loss and a lifetime of sight.
But here’s the truth: technology alone isn’t the hero.
People are. AI is just a tool - one that amplifies the reach of doctors and empowers local health workers. It filters out routine cases, so specialists can focus on the most urgent, life-changing ones.
Yet, even the smartest technology can’t succeed without trust. In Ethiopia, for example, Orbis trains local women as community eye-care workers - women their neighbours already know and trust. In Vietnam, we adapt our workflow to match local customs and patient habits, because technology must fit people, not the other way around.
And through every project, from Hong Kong’s urban neighbourhoods to the world’s most remote corners, one message shines through:
Technology guards vision; trust connects communities.
Together, they build a bridge - from innovation to impact, from city to village, from research to real lives. And that bridge is how Orbis makes sure no one, anywhere in the world, is left in the dark.
We live in a city of dazzling lights. Let's make sure we can all see them, clearly and safely, for years to come.
Hello, everyone!
Did you sleep well last night? In our busy city, many of us face challenges when it comes to sleep. Have you ever found it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up early in the morning? If so, you’re not alone. Recent surveys conducted by the department of Psychiatry CUHK indicated that around 30% of people in Hong Kong experience insomnia. This is a significant issue that can affect our daily lives in many ways.
Sleep is crucial for maintaining our overall health. It plays a vital role in helping us recover from fatigue, manage stress, enhance our mood, and even improve our memory. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems such as increased risk of anxiety, depression, and also chronic illnesses.
Despite the importance of sleep, there are many misconceptions surrounding it. Some people believe they can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping in on the weekends. Others find themselves scrolling through their phones in bed, thinking it will help them feel tired enough to sleep. Unfortunately, these habits often do more harm than good. They can interfere with our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it even harder to get the rest we need.
When it comes to treating insomnia, there are both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches available. The first-line treatment recommended by experts is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). This therapy focuses on addressing both the behavioral and cognitive factors that contribute to chronic insomnia. Research shows that CBT-I is just as effective as medication, but its effects last longer and help reduce the use of sleep drugs.
However, access to CBT-I is limit. Unfortunately, fewer than 5% of insomnia patients have ever received this type of therapy. A recent survey of healthcare workers conducted by our group revealed that only 2% of them had received formal training in CBT-I. This lack of resources and trained professionals can make it challenging for people to get the help they need.
To address this pressing issue, the Department of Psychiatry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong has teamed up with five local NGO to launch the Jockey Club Sleep Well Project, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Our mission is to raise awareness about sleep health and provide much-needed support for those experiencing sleep issues, including access to CBT-I and comprehensive sleep assessments.
The Jockey Club Sleep Well Project is Hong Kong's first community program specifically focused on sleep issues. This project developed an online platform and offer evidence-based strategies and tools designed to assist individuals in managing their sleep challenges. Additionally, we host in-person lectures, workshops, and community events to promote sleep health education and foster a better understanding of the importance of sleep.
One of the unique features of our project is the stepped care model we offer. This model provides different levels of support tailored to individual needs. Participants can begin by assessing their sleep and mental health through our online platform or mobile app. This initial assessment helps identify the specific issues they may be facing.
For those starting out, we can provide self-help resources and guided online courses. If someone has moderate insomnia symptoms, they will be paired with a sleep coach— a trained healthcare professional who will guide them through the online course and provide support along the way.
For individuals with more severe sleep issues, we can arrange interventions with a clinical psychologist to provide more personalized treatment.
To everyone listening, it’s important to remember that sleep problems cannot simply be resolved by catching up on sleep during the weekends or through occasional naps. The reasons for the sleep disturbances can vary widely from person to person, and medication isn’t the only solution. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with sleep issues or has questions about sleep disorders, you can try to explore the Jockey Club Sleep Well Project. You can either visit our website or download the app in the apple store or google play.
Sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a vital component of our health and well-being. By prioritizing sleep health, we can enhance our quality of life, boost our productivity, and maintain better physical and mental health.
So, as you go about your day, take a moment to think about your sleep habits. Are there changes you could make to improve your sleep? Remember, a good night’s sleep is within your reach.
