Prof Yih Chung Tham
Clinically-trained Optometrist and AI Researcher
Position: Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS
Specialization: Digital Health, Generative AI, Visual Impairment, Age-related Eye Diseases, Ocular Imaging
Affiliation: National University of Singapore
Biography
Dr Tham is a clinically trained-optometrist with PhD training in ocular epidemiology from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is currently an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS. His other positions and portfolios include: Population Data Science Co-lead and Optometry Education Program Director for the Centre of Innovation & Precision Eye Health, NUS; and Clinician Scientist at the Singapore Eye Research Institute.
Key Research Areas
- Digital health applications in eye care
- Generative AI for medical imaging and diagnosis
- Visual impairment screening and management
- Age-related eye diseases research
- Ocular imaging and analysis
- Population data science in ophthalmology
- Epidemiology of eye diseases
Research Focus
His research scope focuses on digital health, generative AI, visual impairment, age-related eye diseases, and ocular imaging. As project PI, he drives new AI-related projects, develop new AI solutions to screen for visual impairment and major age-related eye diseases in the community. These AI projects involve both upstream development and downstream implementation evaluations.
In the area of epidemiology, he is one of the founding members of the Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (AEEC), and a core member of the landmark Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) study.
Publications
To date, Dr Tham has published over 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers in notable journals such as Nature Medicine, Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, Lancet Digital Health, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Aging, Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology etc.
Honors and Recognition
His past accolades include the the NUS' President Graduate Fellowship Award, and the National Medical Research Council's Transition Award (TA) and HPHSR Clinician Scientist Award (HCSA). Since 2021, he has been named as one of the top 2% most cited scientist worldwide (by Stanford University). He is also listed in the Global Optometrist Top 200 Research Ranking (ranked 60th worldwide, 3rd in Asia).
Leadership Roles
- Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS
- Population Data Science Co-lead, Centre of Innovation & Precision Eye Health, NUS
- Optometry Education Program Director, Centre of Innovation & Precision Eye Health, NUS
- Clinician Scientist, Singapore Eye Research Institute
- Founding Member, Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (AEEC)
- Core Member, Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) study
Academic Achievements
- Over 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Top 2% most cited scientist worldwide since 2021 (Stanford University)
- Ranked 60th worldwide, 3rd in Asia in Global Optometrist Top 200 Research Ranking
- NUS President Graduate Fellowship Award
- National Medical Research Council's Transition Award (TA)
- HPHSR Clinician Scientist Award (HCSA)
Research Impact
Professor Tham's work has significantly advanced the field of digital health and AI applications in ophthalmology. His development of AI solutions for screening visual impairment and age-related eye diseases has the potential to improve early detection and treatment outcomes in community settings. His involvement in major epidemiological studies like the SEED study contributes valuable insights into eye disease patterns and risk factors in Asian populations.