Newsletter No. 26

CUHK Newsletter No.26 January 1992 Laser for Eye Surgery The Eye Unit at the University's Department of Surgery has been chosen as one of the world's first clinical centres to conduct research i n to eye surgery f or myop ia (nearsightedness) using the Yag laser system. Conventional eye surgery to correct myopia is carried out by using knives to produce radial incisions on the cornea. The use of laser in the treatment of myopia is a recent development. The first generation of such laser is the extremely powerful 'excimer' laser, the use of which is still being strictly monitored. Scientists are trying to ascertain whether the lightwaves are likely to cause cancer and other side effects such as corneal haze, infection and scarring. The University's Eye Unit will embark on research into the second generation of laser for treating myopia: Nd:YAG laser. Such laser utilizes crystals to produce green laser light, a safer frequency for operating inside the human eye. When coupled with a unique automated tracking mechanism, it will enable the eye surgeon to perform surgery at the cellular level. The new system can obviate many of the shortcomings of the excimer laser system, and may also provide the means to correct cataracts, chronic glaucoma and other previously untreatable eye disorders. The Nd:YAG laser was manufactured by the Phoenix Laser Systems at California, which has chosen the University's Eye Unit to conduct tests on animals first to assess the efficacy and the side effects of the new system. No clinical trials on humans will begin until results of such tests have proved to be satisfactory. A Ser ies of Conferences in Decembe r 1991 Six conferences and workshops were organized by different units of the University in December 1991. Together they attracted close to 1,000 participants from different parts of the world. Conference on China's Urban and Regional Development 2nd-6th December 1991 Cho Yiu Conference Hall The five-day conference was hosted by the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. Over 20 scholars and experts from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong gathered to investigate how cities and regions in China had developed under the reform and open-door policy. Major themes of discussion included the trend of regional development in China, macro-assessment of China's urban development, the impact of the reform policy on urban and regional development, and the latest development in China's urban planning. The experience of Hong Kong and Taiwan was also studied and field trips were organized to acquaint participants with the recent developments in housing, transport and port facilities in Hong Kong. Sixth International Workshop on Therapeutic Endoscopy 3rd-5th December 1991 Prince of Wales Hospital Some 200 doctors from more than 30 countries took part in a workshop on therapeutic endoscopy jointly organized by the University's Department of Surgery, Department of Medicine, the Combined Endoscopy Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital, and the Hong Kong Society of Digestive Endoscopy. Significant advances have been made in the field of therapeutic endoscopy in the last few years and the aim of the workshop is to introduce the new treatment methods that have replaced open surgery. Doctors from the Prince of Wales Hospital and renowned endoscopists from overseas demonstrated a wide range of new techniques such as 2