MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
[ Welcome Video ]

2008 is truly a special year for China, with Beijing, its capital city, hosting the Olympic Games and Hong Kong, its Special Administrative Region, organizing the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC), which is regarded as the Olympics of ophthalmology. There is a Chinese saying that "failure is the mother of success", which is coincidentally applicable to the bidding process for both of the above "Olympics". In 1994, Beijing lost the bid to Sydney for hosting the 2000 Olympic Games while Hong Kong lost the bid, again to Sydney, for hosting the 2002 WOC meeting. It is with luck, determination and continued efforts that Beijing and Hong Kong finally made their dreams come true in 2008!

The scientific program is the essence of any congress. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Prof. Steve Ryan, Chair of the Scientific Committee, and his team for putting together a quality program with a wonderful array of world-renowned experts speaking at the meeting. We have over 1000 top notch international speakers making presentations in over 300 scientific sessions!

Special thanks must be given to all the supporting organizations, especially our industrial sponsors. They have made all the latest technologies and equipment that represent advancement in the field of ophthalmology available. This has provided us with a world-class trade exhibition.

I can never say thanks enough to the International Council of Ophthalmology and its many members that have helped us in so many ways, especially in promoting the congress. As a result, we have over 10,000 delegates gathered here in Hong Kong!

Realizing how far you have traveled from all parts of the world, I hope our scientific and social programs will meet with, and exceed, your expectations. I wish you an enjoyable and memorable time in Hong Kong!

With warmest and best regards,

Dennis S.C. Lam, MD, FRCOphth
President and Organizing Committee Chairman
World Ophthalmology Congress 2008