Dear Colleagues and Members of the SSO,

It is with great honour that I serve you as President of the SSO. After the high of the 21st Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) in 2006, we finally took a well-deserved breather in 2007, taking stock of our achievements, but more importantly, looking ahead at what further progress we can make as a community serving our patients and society as a whole.

2008 will be an important and busy year for all of us: firstly, the possible establishment and inauguration of our very own College of Ophthalmologists. We are working very closely with the Chapter of Ophthalmologists to find consensus and a collective will among our members to achieve this. I am confident that we will garner enough support for us to submit a credible proposal to the Academy of Medicine.

We shall be hosting this year's Joint Singapore-Malaysia Meeting in Ophthalmology on 23-24 August 2008. We hope to organise a relevant and meaningful scientific and social programme for all to enjoy.

I have proposed an inaugural SSO Honour Awards to our pioneers, teachers and senior ophthalmologists for their contributions to the Society and towards ophthalmology in Singapore. We hope to institute this as a yearly tribute and recognition of our mentors.

This year will mark the first Joint Meeting between the SSO and the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (IOA). It will be held in Makasar , Indonesia from 9-11 August 2008. All members are strongly encouraged to attend. We shall be sending a delegation of speakers from Singapore . If you are interested, please contact me for more details.

Finally, I am delighted to acknowledge the hard work and initiative of a group of young ophthalmologists who have dedicated their time and skills to Project I-Care, reaching out to the elderly and underprivileged in Singapore . It is heartening to note that despite their hectic schedules, these future leaders of the Society have not forgotten the needs of the less fortunate among us. Keep up the good work! I certainly look forward to a fulfilling year for us this year. I am encouraged by the broad support you have shown me and trust that we can work together for the betterment of our community in the years ahead.  

Yours sincerely,


Dr Adrian Koh
President
SSO