Professor Tien Wong is a physician-scientist in ophthalmology and epidemiology who has made substantial contributions in the understanding of the global epidemiology and risk factors of visual impairment and major eye diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and myopia, three leading causes of blindness globally. For over 20 years, Professor Wong’s seminal research on the prevalence, trends and risk factors for eye diseases in Asia has resulted in new population data, previously lacking in Asia, on the prevalence and incidence of eye diseases, providing a foundation for public health ophthalmology in Asia.
Professor Wong’s more recent work on diabetic retinopathy screening using artificial intelligence may provide a foundation for the prevention of blindness in many countries.