Beijing Tongren Hospital: A Guide for International Patients
Beijing Tongren Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, is one of China’s best-known centers for ophthalmology. Its eye specialists evaluate common and complex conditions involving the optic nerve, retina, lens, cornea, eye pressure, and visual development.
For international patients, Tongren Hospital may be particularly relevant when glaucoma is difficult to control, a child has progressive myopia, previous eye surgery has not produced the expected result, or a complex condition requires review by an experienced ophthalmic team.
Major Areas of Eye Care
- glaucoma diagnosis, medical treatment, laser treatment, and surgery;
- complex glaucoma and combined cataract-glaucoma cases;
- cataract and lens surgery;
- childhood and adolescent myopia assessment;
- retinal and optic nerve evaluation;
- corneal and ocular surface disease;
- ophthalmic imaging and visual-function testing; and
- second opinions for difficult or previously treated eye disease.
Professor Wang Ningli
Professor Wang Ningli is Director of the Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Dean of the School of Ophthalmology at Capital Medical University, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He is a senior ophthalmologist whose principal areas include glaucoma, childhood myopia, cataract, and complex eye surgery.
His work has focused on the mechanisms of glaucoma, minimally invasive internal drainage procedures, the relationship between intraocular and intracranial pressure, and evidence-based strategies for controlling myopia progression in children.
Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can progressively damage the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss. Elevated eye pressure is an important risk factor, but glaucoma can also occur when measured pressure is within the statistically normal range.
Professor Wang has proposed research concepts examining the interaction between intraocular pressure and intracranial pressure. His clinical work also includes minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and treatment planning for difficult glaucoma cases.
Depending on the type and stage of glaucoma, treatment may include eye drops, laser therapy, minimally invasive surgery, conventional filtering surgery, drainage devices, cataract surgery, or a combination of approaches. The most suitable option depends on optic nerve damage, visual-field loss, angle anatomy, previous surgery, age, and target eye pressure.
Childhood Myopia Control
Progressive myopia in children can increase the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other vision-threatening complications. Management usually requires regular measurement of refraction and axial length, assessment of binocular vision, and discussion of evidence-based control options.
Professor Wang’s team published a randomized controlled trial in JAMA Ophthalmology in 2020 examining low-dose atropine eye drops for slowing myopia progression in Chinese children. Low-dose atropine is not appropriate for every child and should be used only under professional supervision, with monitoring for effectiveness and side effects.
Other approaches may include specially designed spectacles, soft contact lenses, orthokeratology, and lifestyle measures such as increased outdoor activity. Availability and regulatory status vary by country and institution.
Who May Benefit from an Evaluation?
A specialist review at Beijing Tongren Hospital may be considered when a patient:
- has glaucoma that continues to progress despite treatment;
- has complex, secondary, congenital, or normal-tension glaucoma;
- needs a second opinion before glaucoma or cataract surgery;
- has complications after previous eye surgery;
- has rapid childhood myopia progression;
- needs an individualized myopia-control plan;
- has unexplained optic nerve damage or visual-field loss; or
- has received conflicting recommendations about medication, laser treatment, or surgery.
Eye Emergencies
Sudden loss of vision, severe eye pain, a red eye with nausea or headache, new flashes and floaters with a curtain-like shadow, chemical injury, or eye trauma requires immediate local emergency assessment. Patients should not delay urgent treatment while arranging international travel.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients requesting an eye specialist review should prepare:
- a concise ophthalmic and general medical history;
- previous clinic notes, diagnoses, and operative reports;
- current and previous prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses;
- intraocular pressure records, including measurements over time;
- visual-field test reports and original printouts;
- optic nerve and retinal OCT scans;
- fundus photographs, corneal topography, pachymetry, and gonioscopy findings when available;
- axial-length measurements and cycloplegic refraction records for childhood myopia;
- details of previous laser procedures, implants, or glaucoma devices;
- a current list of eye drops and other medications; and
- a list of specific questions for the specialist.
Serial results are especially useful. They allow the doctor to judge whether pressure, axial length, optic nerve structure, or visual function has changed over time.
Planning Care in Beijing
Before traveling, patients should confirm whether their records can be reviewed, whether an in-person eye examination is required, and which tests may need to be repeated. Many ophthalmic decisions depend on direct examination and measurements made with the hospital’s own equipment.
Remote record review is subject to physician authorization and may help clarify the next step, but it cannot replace emergency care or a complete eye examination. Surgery suitability, treatment timing, expected follow-up, and costs can only be confirmed after assessment by the treating team.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing eye records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging medical interpretation, and planning travel for care in China.
Access to a particular doctor, remote review, medication, device, or procedure is subject to the hospital’s and physician’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research findings, treatment availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information with the hospital before travel. This article is based on publicly available hospital profiles and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified ophthalmologist.
0 comments