While attaching equal importance to a healthy mind and healthy vision, Dr Leung's unwavering voluntary service to the community is motivated by the motto of his alma mater, Queen Elizabeth School: Vos Parate Ut Serviatis - Prepare Yourself That You May Serve.

In fact, he busied himself with a broad range of activities during his schooldays. Besides being a member of the school orchestra and choir, he was active in its astronomy club and drama society as well. He obviously devoted all his spare time to these hobbies and interests.

A lover of music, especially light-hearted and relaxing melodies, Dr Leung is a good violin player. He was recently invited by a close friend to perform a solo at his wedding banquet. Yet his musical talents extend beyond the violin. He plays the cello, erhu, harmonica and piano too. "But I've only just got the hang of them, I'm not an expert at all," he says modestly. However, he feels that his hobbies have given him many opportunities to broaden his horizons, develop his talents, and see things through the eyes of others.

Dr Leung graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1997 with first-class honours degrees in biomedical sciences and subsequently medicine. "I took up biomedical sciences when I was still in my third year as a medical student, because I was deeply interested in scientific research," he explains. After graduation, he immediately joined the Hospital Authority as a Medical Officer in the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital Lo Ka Chow Memorial Eye Center, before transferring to the Hong Kong Eye Hospital.

As a practising eye surgeon and scientific researcher, Dr Leung has a very hectic schedule. The day after our interview, he left on a trip to the United States for a medical conference. An internationally recognised expert in the field of normal-tension glaucoma, he has published more than 65 peer-reviewed papers, and won major international research prizes. The many accolades he has received include a Best Paper Award from the prestigious American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr Leung frankly admits that a friend has encouraged him to reduce his voluntary work and publish more papers instead, because it would help him to gain greater international exposure. He has also been asked to consider "jumping ship" in his career.

"But I've never regarded it as being so important whether I work in a public hospital, do private practice, or teach in a university. My greatest concern is whether my efforts results in helping others," he declares. "Right from the very beginning, I have been deeply convinced that being able to provide service to help others is the noblest of all endeavours."

Dr Leung describes his heartfelt determination to help others as a cherished legacy from his late grandmother. He recalls: "My grandma pampered us grandchildren with all kinds of love. Yet she never spoilt us. Instead, she insisted that we should be well behaved, self-disciplined and helpful. She didn't have high educational qualifications or come from a rich family; but she always went to great lengths to assist others. She constantly reminded us to be ready to offer a helping hand at all times. My aspiration to be a doctor was definitely the result of my eagerness to follow her example. To me, nothing is more important than what my grandma expected of me," he says.

We're deeply grateful to Dr Leung's grandmother, because her extraordinary example means Hong Kong has an outstanding and accomplished young medical professional.