Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterised by visual field loss and structural damage to the optic nerve. The disease is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting about 3.5% of individuals aged between 40 and 80 years1. While glaucoma-associated visual field loss may be asymptomatic until the late stages, the disease is commonly known as a silent thief of sight. Although early diagnosis of glaucoma remains a clinical challenge, recent advancements in therapeutics have significantly improved patient outcomes. In particular, laser treatment has been advocated to be safe and effective in managing glaucoma. In a recent sharing, Dr. Lai Sum Wai Isabel highlighted the pathophysiology of glaucoma and shared her insights into managing the disease.

With the widespread implementation of vaccination programs and the development of potent antiviral therapies against chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection in recent decades, the risk of horizontal and vertical transmission is decreasing. Accordingly, newly referred CHB patients are generally older and more often afflicted by various comorbidities1. Given that CHB patients may need long-term antiviral treatment to achieve optimal viral suppression, long-term safety would be a concern in the presence of comorbidities. In the symposium titled “Challenges and Strategies for Managing CHB Patients with Comorbidities”, organised by the Macao Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology on 5th March 2024, Prof. Grace Lai-Hung Wong and Dr. Jimmy Che-To Lai highlighted the various impacts of comorbidities in CHB and discussed the essentials in the pharmacological management of CHB patients with comorbidities.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health challenge, imposing substantial burdens on individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Notably, in Hong Kong, 1.6% of those aged 15 or above are reported as doctor-diagnosed CAD, with a higher prevalence seen in males (2.1%) compared to females (1.2%). The prevalence increases with age, from 0.1% in those aged 15-24 to 7.7% for those aged 85 or above'. Thanks to the collaborative efforts by researchers, healthcare professionals, and government bodies, advancements in diagnostics, cutting-edge treatment including medications and surgical procedures for CAD are emerging. In addition, a better understanding on the risk factors associated with CAD facilitates more effective lifestyle modifications and cardiac rehabilitation leads to improved patients'outcomes and overall quality of life (QoL).

Obesity is a global pandemic and a growing public health concern due to the burden exhibited on the psychosocial and economy. Furthermore, global incidence of obesity has doubled over the last three decades1. Needless to say, obesity has been widely reported to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is recognised as a key driver of various metabolic syndromes, including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension. More recently, obesity and diet-induced metabolic dysfunction have been identified as the risk factors behind the development of a wide range of neurological disorders2. More importantly, the detrimental effects of obesity have recently been shown to affect the cognitive functioning3,4 despite there are contradicting clinical data suggesting the protective effect of excess adiposity5. Given that obesity may play a role in the development of cognitive decline, the potential of physical activities and weight control to minimise obesity-associated neurological complications has attracted the interest of researchers and clinicians. The aim of this article is to review the evidence correlating obesity with cognitive function decline, in addition to substantiate the clinical performance of weight control measures in reducing the risk of cognitive decline.