Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University: Guangzhou

Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University (ZOC) is a public Grade 3A specialist eye hospital in Guangzhou, China. Its clinical departments cover cataracts, glaucoma, retinal and corneal conditions, refractive surgery and children's eye care. The center has two Guangzhou campuses and a dedicated International Eye Care service for overseas patients.

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Hospital at a Glance

Chinese name: 中山大学中山眼科中心（中山大学附属眼科医院）
University affiliation: Sun Yat-sen University
Hospital type: Public Grade III, Class A (3A) specialist ophthalmic hospital
History: Eye hospital established in 1965; ophthalmic center established in 1983
Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Campuses: Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城院区) and Ouzhuang (区庄院区)
Selected clinical areas: Cataracts, glaucoma, corneal and retinal diseases, refractive surgery, pediatric ophthalmology and inherited eye conditions

ZOC brings together specialist eye care, university teaching, ophthalmic research and blindness prevention. This profile outlines its main departments and the practical arrangements for an international visit. For an appointment enquiry, start with your eye condition or existing diagnosis, recent eye examination results and preferred dates.

Key Specialties & Departments

Cataracts and Lens Disorders — 白内障科

The cataract department provides assessment and surgery for cataracts and complex lens conditions. Its clinical work includes phacoemulsification, a technique used to remove a cataract through a small incision, and day surgery pathways. The center also has a separate pediatric service for childhood cataracts.

Glaucoma — 青光眼科

The glaucoma department receives referrals for complex cases and provides specialist consultations and surgical care. Its published clinical services include minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and combined approaches for difficult cases. Previous eye pressure readings, visual field tests and operation notes are useful records to include in an enquiry.

Corneal Disease, Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Care — 角膜病科

The corneal department covers conditions such as keratoconus, corneal infections, corneal dystrophies, complex dry eye and pterygium. Its surgical services include corneal transplantation and ocular surface reconstruction. Dedicated clinics include tear film disorders, dry eye and childhood corneal disease.

Retinal, Macular and Vitreous Diseases — 眼底病科

ZOC has retinal services at both Guangzhou campuses. The Zhujiang New Town department describes care for retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular disease and retinal complications of high myopia. Published procedures include vitreoretinal surgery and intravitreal injections, alongside day surgery services.

Refractive Surgery and Myopia Care — 近视眼激光治疗科、屈光与青少年近视防控科

The refractive surgery department lists SMILE, femtosecond LASIK, surface laser procedures and implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery. Its service includes pre-operative eye measurements, surgery and follow-up. A separate refraction and juvenile myopia department provides services for refractive errors and myopia management in younger patients.

Pediatric Ophthalmology, Inherited Eye Conditions and Strabismus — 小儿眼病与眼遗传病科、斜视与弱视科

The pediatric and inherited eye disease department covers childhood cataracts, glaucoma, corneal and retinal disorders, and genetic eye conditions. Its work includes genetic counselling and diagnostic testing. ZOC also has a separate strabismus and amblyopia department for eye alignment and visual development concerns.

Uveitis and Ocular Immunology — 眼免疫与葡萄膜炎科

This specialist service covers inflammatory eye conditions including uveitis, scleritis and immune-related corneal disease. Its clinical work includes ongoing management and multidisciplinary consultations for complex cases. Previous investigations, treatment summaries and medication records help describe the history of recurrent or longstanding inflammation.

Orbital Disease, Eye Tumors and Oculoplastic Care — 眼眶病与眼肿瘤科、眼整形与泪道科

The orbital disease and eye tumor department treats conditions affecting the eye socket and ocular tissues, including thyroid eye disease and intraocular tumors. A separate oculoplastic and lacrimal department provides care for eyelid and tear drainage conditions. These services form part of the center's wider ophthalmic subspecialty network.

Services for International Patients

International Eye Care

Dedicated service: ZOC publishes an International Eye Care service for foreign nationals, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, and commercially insured patients. It connects patients with the center's ophthalmic subspecialties.
Appointment enquiries: Call +86 189 2210 6862 or +86 189 2210 2338, or email premiercare@gzzoc.com. Published telephone enquiry hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00-12:00 and 14:30-17:30, China Standard Time (UTC+8).
Enquiry details: Include your main eye concern, previous diagnosis, preferred dates and consultation language. Ask how to provide records and complete passport registration.

Appointments & Location

Ordinary outpatient appointments: ZOC uses an appointment system through its official WeChat service account, 中山大学中山眼科中心 (ZOCservice), and official app. Its patient guide states that ordinary outpatient clinics do not offer manual walk-in registration.
Zhujiang New Town campus — 珠江新城院区: No. 7 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (广州市天河区金穗路7号).
Ouzhuang campus — 区庄院区: No. 54 Xianlie South Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (广州市越秀区先烈南路54号).
General hospital enquiries: +86 20 6660 7666.
Arrival details: Keep the campus name, building, department and check-in instructions from your appointment confirmation. Plan accommodation and transport around the booked location.

Documents to Prepare

Your original passport and appointment confirmation. For a child, ask about the identification and accompanying guardian documents required.
A short eye history, previous consultation and operation notes, current spectacle or contact lens prescription, and relevant examination results.
Eye imaging and test files where available, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), retinal photographs, visual field tests and corneal topography. Keep original digital files as well as written reports.
A list of eye drops and other medicines, known allergies, and insurance or pre-authorisation documents. Ask which records need translation.

Language Support, Reports & Follow-up

Request your preferred consultation language and interpretation for examinations, consent discussions and admission paperwork when booking. Ask which reports can be issued in English and the arrangements for translating other records.
Before leaving Guangzhou, collect available examination reports, imaging and operation records. Obtain the clinical team's follow-up schedule, instructions for outstanding results and contact details for the next appointment.
For a surgical visit, ask the treating team how long to remain locally and when to schedule follow-up before booking onward travel.

Fees, Payment & Insurance

Request an itemized estimate for the consultation and planned examinations. For surgery, ask about procedure charges, lens or other implant costs, anesthesia, medicines, room charges and follow-up visits.
Ask the receiving service about payment methods, deposits and international bank cards. For insurance, provide your policy details and request confirmation of direct billing or reimbursement paperwork, including any pre-authorisation.
Keep hospital charges and separately arranged translation, interpreting or concierge fees clearly itemized.

Hospital Background and Guangzhou Campuses

The eye hospital was established in 1965 by ophthalmologists Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu. In 1983, it developed into Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, bringing together the eye hospital, ophthalmic research and blindness prevention. It is now affiliated with Sun Yat-sen University.

ZOC combines clinical care with ophthalmic education and research. Its institutional work includes eye disease prevention, myopia research and international collaboration. The center hosts the WHO Collaborating Centre for Eye Care and Vision.

Its two Guangzhou campuses are in Tianhe and Yuexiu districts. Departments operate across these locations, so use the campus and clinic details on the appointment confirmation when arranging your visit.

Planning an International Eye Care Visit

International Eye Care provides a direct enquiry route for overseas patients considering specialist eye care at ZOC. Start by describing the reason for your visit and asking which clinic will receive you.

For an existing eye condition, prepare recent examination results and a concise treatment history. For an eye check, ask the receiving service about the examination scope and report review. ZOC's special medical service department also lists ophthalmic health checks and remote referral consultations.

How MedBridgeNZ Can Help

MedBridgeNZ provides medical concierge and logistics coordination for international patients planning an eye care visit in Guangzhou. We can assist with medical record translation, hospital and specialist communication, appointment coordination, interpretation, visit accompaniment and relevant travel arrangements.

Tell us your main eye concern or the specialty you are looking for, together with your preferred dates. We can help organize the enquiry and clarify the campus, documents, language support and practical steps for your visit to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center a public hospital?

Yes. Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University is a public Grade III, Class A (3A) specialist eye hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Its Chinese name is 中山大学中山眼科中心, and it is also known as 中山大学附属眼科医院.

Is the hospital in Guangzhou or Zhongshan city?

It is in Guangzhou. The two campuses are Zhujiang New Town in Tianhe District and Ouzhuang in Yuexiu District. It is a separate institution from The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.

How can a foreign passport holder arrange an appointment?

Contact International Eye Care through the dedicated telephone numbers or email listed above. Ask about the clinic, appointment date and passport registration process. For ordinary outpatient care, the hospital publishes its official WeChat account and app as booking channels.

Can I arrange an English-language consultation and English reports?

Include your preferred language in the appointment enquiry. Ask about the doctor's consultation language, interpreting for tests and consent discussions, report language and translation fees. Settle these arrangements with the receiving service before your visit.

Does Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center offer laser eye surgery and ICL?

Its refractive surgery department lists SMILE, femtosecond LASIK, surface laser procedures and ICL surgery. To enquire, ask about the pre-operative assessment, preparation instructions, expected visit schedule and postoperative appointments.

Can children and patients with inherited eye conditions be seen?

ZOC has a pediatric and inherited eye disease department, as well as a separate strabismus and amblyopia department. For a child's appointment, include their age, previous examination results and treatment history. Ask which clinic and guardian documents are needed.

Can I use international health insurance?

Send your insurer, policy and proposed service details to the receiving team. Ask whether your visit can be billed directly or requires payment followed by reimbursement, and request the relevant pre-authorisation and documentation requirements.

How much does an eye consultation or surgery cost?

Request an estimate for the clinic and services you are booking. For surgery, ask for separate figures for examinations, the procedure, any lens or other implant, anesthesia, medication and follow-up. Ask which items your insurer has authorised and which you will pay yourself.

Disclaimer:
Information on this page is based on Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center's official website (https://www.gzzoc.org.cn/), including its center overview, department introductions, International Eye Care information and patient guidance, together with institutional history published by Sun Yat-sen University. Last reviewed: 24 October 2026. Services, locations, schedules, fees, language support and insurance arrangements may change; confirm current details with the receiving hospital service.

This page provides general information. Hospital clinicians assess suitability and make decisions about examinations, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. MedBridgeNZ provides medical concierge and logistics coordination and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Appointment availability, hospital acceptance and treatment outcomes are not guaranteed.