An esteemed ophthalmologist, Dr. Emmy Li's career blends clinical excellence, innovative research, and heartfelt volunteerism. An Honorary Assistant Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as President of the Hong Kong Society of Ophthalmology (HKOS), she is guided by the motto, "to cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always," proving that compassion transcends suffering.

A Career Rooted in Excellence

Dr. Li's story begins with a spark of purpose ignited in her teenage years. A hospital visit set her course: at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, she met a father—a solo breadwinner, tormented by his inability to provide for his family after being hospitalized after a car accident. "He needed to work to support his family, but his injury prevented him from working, making him feel guilty and lost," she recalls. "I knew then I wanted to be a doctor to help people like him." That moment became the foundation of a lifelong mission.

Graduating with first-class honors from The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine in 2004, she went on to become a Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Ophthalmologists in 2011 while earning a Master's degree in Public Health with Distinction. Meanwhile, her career skyrocketed as she published in top-tier international journals, spoke at global conferences, and served as an editor or reviewer for over ten prestigious medical publications. Awards followed—Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology's Outstanding Achievement Award (2013), Outstanding Contribution to Blindness Prevention Award (2014), Hong Kong Red Cross's Humanity Annual Award (2014), and the coveted Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Hong Kong title (2015). Yet, for Dr. Li, accolades are secondary to impact.

The Joy of Giving Back

With a warm smile, rapid-fire speech, and approachability, Dr. Li radiates positivity. Likening herself to a "little sun" for her warmth and boundless energy, she has poured herself into volunteer work. Driven by gratitude for her privileged upbringing in Hong Kong, where she enjoyed access to education and opportunity without war, she became compelled to give back to society. Her volunteer journey spans continents, taking her to remote corners of mainland China and other parts of the world through organizations like the Bright Vision Project, Operation Eyesight, and Orbis. In 2009, under the leadership of ophthalmology expert Professor Dennis Lam, she spearheaded a transformative initiative in Hainan, coordinating nearly 30,000 free cataract surgeries in a year while training over ten local doctors—a mission aimed at building sustainable systems of care for locals.

Dr. Li also pioneered integrating research into blindness prevention programs, leading epidemiological studies across southern China. Over three years, her team visited over 200 villages in Hainan and Chao'nan, screening over 10,000 villagers for eye diseases, collecting data and laying the groundwork for local eye care services. Her work ensured that impoverished patients received safe, high-quality surgeries, while standardized training programs significantly increased cataract care across the region.

Closer to home, Dr. Li supports Hong Kong's vulnerable communities—low-income women, new immigrants, and ethnic minorities—through initiatives like Ripples Action and Tzu Chi Medical Volunteers, helping them integrate into society. Balancing motherhood with her mission is no small feat, but Dr. Li makes it look seamless. "My children are older now, so I bring them along to volunteer," she says. "It's a chance to inspire by example, spend time together, and show them who I am." This family-first approach shapes her choices. While she once trekked to remote regions, she now focuses on Hong Kong, partnering with Orbis to combat rising myopia rates, highlighting the importance of promoting eye care and education to avoid irreversible vision loss. Through her extensive volunteer work, Dr. Li has come to believe that smiles can overcome fear and care can ease pain.

Advancing Medicine Through Research

Dr. Li is recognized among the Asia-Pacific's top 100 ophthalmologists and honored with the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology's Excellence Service Award. As President of the Hong Kong Society of Ophthalmology, she has catalyzed international exchanges, inviting Asia-Pacific scholars to Hong Kong to share their expertise. She remains involved by diving into service: "Every time I volunteer, I gain as much as I give." She emanates influence through her daughter, who, inspired by her mother's passion, designed an eye-protection myopia control device for a science competition. "Seeing her take what I do and make it her own—that's everything," Dr. Li beams.

Dr. Li's leadership is rooted in empathy and integrity. When faced with challenges, she listens, supports, and redirects energy toward solutions, never losing sight of her mission. Her extensive publications reflect a commitment to advancing ophthalmology, inspired by a professor's wisdom: "A doctor's hands can only treat so many patients, but research can further amplify your impact and potentially change the world." This philosophy drives her to study everyday clinical challenges, from improving surgical success rates to enhancing patient safety. Her research doesn't just solve problems—it inspires progress, ensuring her insights benefit patients far beyond her practice. Her multicultural lens, shaped by Hong Kong's diversity, fuels her inclusivity. From rural Chinese villages to Hong Kong's urban margins, she's built bridges where others saw gaps, ensuring her work reaches diverse communities.

A Doctor's Heart: Beyond the Cure

One encounter stands out in Dr. Li's career. A young man, blinded by advanced diabetic retinopathy, visited with his sister. Having consulted numerous doctors, they arrived with fading hope. Tragically, the delay in seeking care meant his vision loss was irreversible. Unable to restore his sight, Dr. Li offered a different kind of help, recommending vocational training for the visually impaired to help him regain independence. His sister, moved to tears, thanked her profusely. "No doctor has ever cared about our future like that," she said. This experience reinforced Dr. Li's belief that being a doctor goes beyond curing disease—it involves providing emotional support and hope to patients and their families. "Doctors cannot cure every illness; there are times when they feel helpless," she says.

"It is also part of a doctor's role to let patients understand that having an illness is not the end of the road, and that life still holds hope."

A Legacy of Light

Looking ahead, Dr. Li dreams of expanding her impact, eyeing more research to refine eye care practices and deeper collaborations with Orbis to promote eye health education globally. Her work is already a beacon, with initiatives like Hainan's cataract program and Hong Kong's eye health campaigns serving as models for systemic change.

From a hospital visit that changed her life to a legacy touching thousands, Dr. Emmy Li is proof that one person's compassion can light up the world in a rare blend of skill, empathy, and vision. Her work, rooted in the belief that compassion can transcend suffering, has touched countless lives, reminding us that true impact lies in the lives we uplift.