Dr Chan was among three optometrists awarded the Academy’s prestigious Fellowship at a recent event in Poland. Dr Chan has been elected to the Academy in recognition of his exceptional research contributions to the prevention of blindness among the marginalised and vulnerable populations in low-and- middle-income countries (LMICs).  

Dr Chan’s work focusses on exploring innovative and creative ways in which low-cost vision care improves human lives in low-and middle-income countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. His research works to understand how social and cultural barriers hinder people living in poverty from accessing services and to co-create interventions that can address these issues, particularly among children and women. His research project teams have a gender and diversity balance – 56% are female researchers, 81% are early career researchers, and 75% are from LMICs. 

Since 2019, Dr Chan has balanced his full-time academic appointment at Queen’s University with commitments to non-governmental organisations and professional bodies in eye health. He is currently a Trustee of Vision Action and Research Advisor of the Tanzanian Optometry Association. He is also a member of the WHO Package of Eyecare Intervention Technical Working Group. 

Dr Chan previously lived and worked in Sub-Saharan Africa for ten years before joining Queen’s as a full-time academic. One of the places he worked very closely since 2017 is Zanzibar, Tanzania. His work in Zanzibar included empowering women to increase their uptake of eyecare; creating integrated school eye health programme; and using local arts to improve eye health education. After six years working in Zanzibar, the Ministry of Health, Zanzibar awarded Dr Chan’s with the highest honour, recognising his work in alleviating avoidable vision impairment among the people of Zanzibar.   

Speaking on receiving the awards and significant recognition, Dr Chan said: “I am humbled to have been awarded these international recognitions, but these achievements are results of hard work, commitment and passion of the Make A Difference for Vision (MAD4VISION) team. I am also grateful for the great mentorship provided by Professors Frank Kee, Michael Donnelly and Nathan Congdon from the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s.”  

Dr Chan’s projects have contributed to the needs-based planning, organisation and delivery of vision screening for approximately 57,000 people; spectacle correction for 2,200 people; treatment of conjunctivitis for 7000 children; and 195 people referred for specialised ophthalmological care in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Furthermore, preliminary data indicates that women who participated and benefitted from the implementation of one of Dr Chan’s project services had an increase in income and savings of 26% and 33%, respectively, and their self-confidence improved significantly.