Meet the Faculty

Professor Tina Wong is the Director of Clinical Translational Research; Head of the Glaucoma group and Co-Head of Ocular Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Research Group at the Singapore Eye Research Institute. Professor Wong’s research interests lie in the development of new ophthalmic therapies, nanomedicine and the innovative application of drug delivery systems to improve on the current medical and surgical treatments in glaucoma and other ophthalmic diseases. She is also a Senior Consultant at the Glaucoma and Cataract & Comprehensive Ophthalmology Department at SNEC.

  

1.  You have an extensive and diverse career as a doctor, surgeon, and research scientist. Could you share some key milestones and experiences that have shaped your journey in the field of ophthalmology?
The first and most career changing milestone was when I did a PhD at the Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL under Professor Sir Peng Khaw, a renowned clinician scientist who has shaped many principals of glaucoma surgery and the father of filtration surgery wound healing. I had total admiration and utter respect for his selfless dedication to his patients and tireless passion into research to find a better and safer way of doing surgery. Little did I know that these four years of my life would shape my career in ophthalmology indefinitely. I am forever grateful for this time with him.

2.  You've founded two start-ups based on your research. Could you elaborate on the impact and significance of these start-ups in advancing medical treatments and innovations, particularly Peregrine Ophthalmic?
My first start-up happened when the innovation and enterprise ecosystem in Singapore was still in its infancy, and was challenging at the time. The nanomedicine technology developed in conjunction with NTU material scientists, was a first in providing clinically sustained IOP lowering for several months after a single injection of latanoprost and the nanoliposomal carrier. In 2014, this technology was the recipient of the President Science and Technology Award (Technology) and put Singapore on the map for ocular sustained drug delivery. Peregrine is nearly 10 years old and is considered unique in the sense that it is a spin-off biotech company that is still functioning and has successfully completed 4 clinical trials (2 in the US) to date. The indication has also expanded to beyond ophthalmology and entered into the world of aesthetics. It is quite exciting to see the technology expand its clinical indication into another field. I remain active as the co-founder and advisor to the company and it has given me invaluable insights into what the journey is like beyond the spin off phase.

3.  As a person who has been working the field of Glaucoma for so long, what are some of the most profound changes you have witnessed in your career to date?

Medical treatment
I have come from a time when only Pilocarpine and Timolol were used as standard medical treatments for glaucoma. The former being a dreadful eyedrop to take for the patients, with often quite intolerable side effects. The discovery of the uveoscleral outflow pathway was a major turning point. The introduction of the prostaglandin analogue latanoprost, targeting this pathway in the early 90’s would see it dominate glaucoma medical treatment for decades. Even today, prostaglandin analogues remain as the most effective IOP lowering agents and first line medical treatment to date. There is also a huge platter of topical medications we can offer our patients, which not only include different classes of drugs and mechanisms of action, but also fixed combinations to lower the drop burden, and preservative free options that are aimed at reducing ocular surface disease. It is now possible for certain patients to never need surgery to manage their glaucoma.

Surgery
The acceleration in the introduction and use of minimally invasive surgical devices for managing glaucoma. Until recently, trabeculectomy or tube implant surgery had been the only 2 surgical options offered to patients with all ranges of disease severity from mild to severe. Now there is the discussion of having a MIGS with cataract surgery to alleviate even a single eyedrop for a patient suffering from mild glaucoma. Although we are still in the process of understanding the patient profiles that will do best with MIGS, and also how MIGS fit into our surgical workflow in Asia, device development has provided a larger range of surgical options.

Improvement in quality of life is becoming an important outcome measure for us and our patients.

4.  As the former Executive Director of the National Health Innovation Centre (NHIC), you advocated for technology and innovation in healthcare. Can you tell us more about the importance of innovation in healthcare, especially in the context of Singapore's healthcare sector?
Innovation will be the cornerstone to the fast-changing world of health tech. There is a unified effort from policy makers at the top all the way down to the end users such as ourselves and patients to support this direction of change. The other key component for any health tech to be successful and benefit the public is for clinical adoption across all 3 clusters. This is also being encouraged through grant initiatives to encourage such cross cluster collaborations.

5.  Your work extends beyond medical research, including your efforts to address plastic waste generated by eye drop bottles. Could you share more about your initiative to enhance the sustainability of glaucoma management and the environment?
I have only just started focusing on this. I want to be able to do my small part in reducing plastic waste. We generate a tremendous amount of plastic from all the bottles prescribed for glaucoma eyedrops. In collaboration with NTU scientists, we are looking at collecting all the empty bottles from patients and recycling the plastic into something useful. More information on this initiative will be revealed as we progress.

6.  You've been a strong advocate for women in the healthcare sector. Could you discuss some of the challenges and opportunities you've observed for women in leadership positions in healthcare?
I would say that today, there are ample opportunities for women to assume leadership roles. It is only a question of whether that individual really wants it or not (that is another conversation). There are also now more visible female leaders around at every level of the organisation and the surrounding ecosystem, which should provide not only role models and inspiration to other women, but for those of us in such leadership roles, we should dedicate time to mentor, guide and support other women coming through the ranks.

7.  For young individuals aspiring to pursue careers in healthcare, as scientists and clinician scientists, what advice or words of wisdom would you offer based on your experiences and achievements?
“Sapere aude” (translated as dare to know) is a phrase from the ancient Roman poet Horace, and which was later adopted by the philosopher, Kant. Sapere aude became the motto for the entire Enlightenment period in the 18^th century, which was an intellectual revolution where reason was emphasised over accepted tradition. As a clinician and scientist this how we will move the needle in advances in science, technology and medicine. Always ask why, how come and what if. If we do not challenge the status quo, we will never improve and make things better.

8.  What do you do to unwind? What are some of your hobbies?
Nothing too exotic, just the simple things in life make me happy and relaxed such as spending time with my family and loved ones (never enough), and planning holidays on my bucket list (too many!).