Development of Optometry in Hong Kong
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Optometry in Hong Kong faces the worst projected workforce shortfall among all regulated health care professions. Local professional optometric education has been available since the 1970s and continues to evolve to keep pace with technological advancements and optometry programs in the region and beyond. However, optometric legislation and practice, particularly in relation to public health care, often lag behind. This leads to the slow progress of the development of optometry in Hong Kong. This article provides an overview of the current status of optometry in Hong Kong, particularly regarding the education, legislation and practice of the profession, and adds some thoughts toward future development.
Downloads
Article Details
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. By submitting to Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History, the author grants to the journal the non-exclusive right to
reproduce, translate (as defined below), and/or distribute your submission worldwide in print and electronic format
and in any medium, including but not limited to audio or video.
2. The author agrees that Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History may, without changing the content, translate the
submission to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation.
3. The author agrees that Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History may keep more than one copy of this submission for
purposes of security, back-up, and preservation.
4. The author represents that the submission is his/her original work, and that s/he has the right to grant the rights
contained in this agreement. The author also represents that his/her submission does not, to the best of his/her
knowledge, infringe upon anyone's copyright.
5. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's
published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or a website or publish it in a book), with
an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
References
1. Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Report of the Strategic Review on Healthcare Manpower Planning and Professional Development. Food and Health Bureau, 2017. Accessed Nov 18, 2024. https://www.healthbureau.gov.hk/download/press_and_publications/otherinfo/180500_sr/e_sr_final_report.pdf
2. Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Primary Healthcare Blueprint (and Supplement). Health Bureau, 2022. Accessed Nov 18, 2024. https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/bp/en/index.html
3. Woo G. Ophthalmics in Hong Kong. Optician. 1978;176(4563):26-27.
4. Woo G. Optometry in Hong Kong. Clin Exp Optom. 2000;83(4):197-199.
5. Woo GC. Diversity in optometric education within and across China: challenges for harmonisation. Clin Exp Optom. 2005;88(6):420-425.
6. Woo G. History of the School of Optometry at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hindsight. 2018;49(4):77-80.
7. Efron N. Which are the top optometry schools in the world? Clin Exp Optom. 2021;104(8):813-814.
8. Malaysian Optical Council, Ministry of Health Malaysia. List of Registrable Qualifications for Optometrists. Majlis Optik Malaysia, 2024. Accessed Dec 5, 2024. https://hq.moh.gov.my/moc/en/list-of-qualifications-received/
9. Optometrists & Opticians Board, Government of Singapore. List of Recognised Foreign Qualifications in Optometry. OOB, 2019. Accessed Dec 5, 2024. https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider6/registration-as-an-optometrist-and-optician/1-oob-list-of-recognised-foreign-qualifications-in-optometry.pdf?sfvrsn=7acb59b5_0
10. Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand. Application Information and General Requirements – Optometrists with Overseas Qualifications. OCANZ, 2023. Accessed Dec 3, 2024. https://www.ocanz.org/assets/45f9b4f2c2/Assessment-of-Optometrists-with-Overseas-Qualifications-updated-November-2023.pdf
11. School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Home | School of Optometry. School of Optometry, 2020. Accessed Nov 19, 2024. https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/so/
12. Hong Kong e-Legislation. Cap. 359 Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Version Date: 01/07/2022). Accessed Dec 5, 2024. https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap359
13. Hong Kong Legislative Council. Official Report of Proceedings – Wednesday, 7 August 1985. Hong Kong Legislative Council, 1985. Accessed Dec 5, 2024. https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr84-85/english/lc_sitg/hansard/h850807.pdf
14. Optometrists Board, Supplementary Medical Professions Council. List of Registrants – Summary (Last Update: 31 December 2024). Optometrists Board, 2024. Accessed Feb 26, 2025. https://www.smp-council.org.hk/op/en/content.php?page=reg_reg
15. Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Your Health, Your Life: Healthcare Reform Consultation Document. Food and Health Bureau, 2008. Accessed Nov 18, 2024. https://www.healthbureau.gov.hk/beStrong/files/consultation/Condochealth_full_eng.pdf
16. District Health Centre, Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Key Functions and Features of DHC. Health Bureau, 2019. Accessed Nov 19, 2024. https://www.dhc.gov.hk/en/key_functions_and_features.html
17. Primary Care Directory, Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. About the Directory. Health Bureau, 2020. Accessed Dec 5, 2024. https://www.pcdirectory.gov.hk/main/about_directory.html?lang=2