SGH 160th Anniversary | Xinmin Weekly Highlights Innovation for the Patients at Shanghai General Hospital’s Ophthalmology Center

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/jUU_DlhPBP07V49gc5b0CQ

Special Coverage by Xinmin Weekly on the Ophthalmology Center:

"The Path of Innovation for the Patients at Shanghai General Hospital's Ophthalmology Center"

Shanghai General Hospital's Ophthalmology Department is a renowned "golden brand" in the field. For patients, the department represents not only an authoritative destination for resolving complex medical conditions but also a trusted partner in maintaining everyday eye health.

Founded in 1946 by Professor Zhao Dongsheng, celebrated as the "Eye of the East," the department has grown into a pioneering institution in retinal disease surgery in China. Recognized as a leading clinical discipline in Shanghai since the 1990s, the Ophthalmology Center was approved in 2019 as a National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, making it one of the largest integrated ophthalmology centers in the country.

According to Professor Sun Xiaodong, Director of the Ophthalmology Center, "Innovation is embedded in the DNA of Shanghai General Hospital’s Ophthalmology Center." Over the past 70 years, generations of experts have achieved groundbreaking milestones, such as performing China’s first retinal detachment surgery, pioneering the use of scleral buckling with Dacron bands, and developing vitreous cutting surgery, as well as inventing domestically produced intraocular gas and heavy water solutions. In recent years, the department has further advanced in areas such as precision myopia control, gene therapy, and smart ophthalmology systems.

At its core, the department’s mission is "for the people." With shifting patterns in eye diseases influenced by lifestyle changes, Shanghai General Hospital remains a leader in diagnosing and treating complex retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular diseases, hereditary eye conditions, cataracts, pathologic myopia, and pediatric ophthalmology. The department has also made significant contributions to juvenile myopia prevention, a critical area affecting public health and the quality of life of future generations.

The widely recognized slogan, “The stars in the sky, the eyes of Shanghai General Hospital,” encapsulates the trust patients place in the department and inspires continuous innovation and excellence among its staff.

For Complex Eye Diseases, Pursuing "China's Solution"

The history of Shanghai General Hospital’s Ophthalmology Department is replete with milestones. Professor Zhao Dongsheng, its founder and a pioneer in retinal detachment surgery in China, laid the foundation for the hospital's leading position in retinal disease treatment.

In the 1940s, when retinal detachment surgeries were unavailable in China, Professor Zhao returned from Austria to establish these procedures at Gongji Hospital (the predecessor of Shanghai General Hospital). By introducing retinal detachment surgery, Professor Zhao transformed the hospital into the first surgical treatment base for retinal diseases in China. In 1986, the hospital further strengthened its leadership by founding the Shanghai Eye Institute, becoming the first institution in China to research proliferative membranes in retinal detachment, preceding international studies by four years.

Professor Zhao's groundbreaking "Zhao's Membrane Grading Method" became a hallmark of the hospital's ophthalmology practices, earning him the 1978 National Science Conference Award.

In the 1980s, Professor Zhang Xi and his team achieved further breakthroughs, particularly in vitreous surgery. Faced with the lack of imported C3F8 gas, essential for retinal surgeries, Professor Zhang spearheaded a collaborative effort with the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry to develop ultra-pure domestic C3F8 gas. The resulting innovation not only lowered costs but also improved surgical success rates, boosting retinal detachment recovery from 70% to 98.6%.

In the 1990s, Professor Xu Xun, the current academic leader, introduced new approaches to treating diabetic retinopathy and established a model combining prevention and treatment. This approach has since been adopted nationwide, influencing clinical guidelines issued by the National Health Commission. Professor Xu's leadership also led to the inclusion of retinal diseases as a key focus in China’s National Eye Health Plan in 2022.

Myopia Prevention: From "Shanghai Standard" to National Benchmark

Recognizing the urgent need to address youth myopia, Shanghai General Hospital has been at the forefront of prevention and control initiatives. Since 2011, Professor Xu Xun and Associate Professor Zou Haidong have led efforts to build the first medical-educational integrated platform for juvenile eye health, establishing a refractive development archive covering over three million children in Shanghai.

In 2019, the hospital's local standard for refractive error screening among primary and secondary school students was adopted as a national health standard, significantly contributing to the country’s myopia prevention strategy.

In 2022, Professor Xu’s team published groundbreaking research in Ophthalmology, assessing the impact of outdoor activities and light exposure on myopia prevention. Their findings not only advanced global understanding but also reinforced Shanghai General Hospital’s reputation as a leader in clinical and translational research.

Source: Issue 38, Xinmin Weekly, 2024

Reporter: Wu Xue

Editor: Public Relations and Spiritual Civilization Office, Shishi Cai

Translator: International Cooperation and Exchange Department, Yuhan Wang