Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Department of Ophthalmology: World's Largest Center for Ocular Tumors & Orbital Diseases

If you or a loved one is facing an eye or orbital disorder — an ocular or orbital tumor, orbital fracture or disease, eyelid defect, retinoblastoma, or a corneal disorder — the Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital is one of the world's most distinguished centers for oculoplastic surgery, orbital disease, and ocular oncology.

A National Key Clinical Specialty, a Shanghai Key Discipline, and a Shanghai "Top Priority" Clinical Key Discipline, the department is recognized as the world's largest center for the diagnosis and treatment of ocular tumors and orbital diseases. Led by Prof. Fan Xianqun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, it draws patients from across China and around the world.

At Medora, we help international patients navigate the Ninth People's ophthalmology team. Here's what you need to know.

Overview

The Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital is among China's first-tier departments in oculoplastic surgery, ocular oncology, and orbital disease. It is distinguished by these three core areas while also fully covering ocular surface and corneal disease, vitreoretinal disease, glaucoma, cataract, optometry, and pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.

Accreditation and Honors

• National Key Clinical Specialty
• Shanghai Key Discipline
• Shanghai "Top Priority" Clinical Key Discipline
• Ranked 7th nationally in Ophthalmology in Fudan reputation rankings (2021; 10th in 2020)
• World's largest center for the diagnosis and treatment of ocular tumors and orbital diseases
• As primary contributor, won two National Science and Technology Progress Awards (Second Class) — 2015 (orbital surgical reconstruction) and 2018 (standardized diagnosis and treatment of ocular malignancies)
• Plus 16 awards including Shanghai and Ministry of Education science and technology first prizes
• Past 5 years: 90+ national and provincial/ministerial grants (incl. National 863 Program project, major NSFC international cooperation project), 38 NSFC grants, total funding > RMB 60 million, 150+ SCI publications

Subspecialties

The department fully covers the following subspecialties:

Expert Team

Core Strengths

1. Precision Orbital Surgery with Endoscopic Navigation

The department built the first database of normal orbital parameters for the Chinese population, developed digital orbital models and virtual surgical planning, and established an orbital surgical navigation system (pre-operative simulation, intra-operative guidance, post-operative assessment) — moving orbital surgery "from experience to precision." This improved outcomes in orbital fracture repair, orbital decompression, and orbital neurofibromatosis resection, and the team is developing wireless endoscopic systems and surgical robots. This work won a 2015 National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class).

2. Eye-Sparing Ocular Oncology (world-leading)

Retinoblastoma: superselective ophthalmic artery infusion chemotherapy; first worldwide to establish retinoblastoma metastasis cell lines; discovered new pathogenic gene GAU1; identified therapeutic target RBAT1. Sebaceous gland carcinoma (far more common in China than Europe/US): pathology-controlled resection with immediate reconstruction. Cure rates for malignant eyelid tumors are internationally leading (2018 National Science and Technology Progress Award Second Class). The department performed the world-first pingyangmycin treatment for low-flow orbital venous malformations and pioneered combined embolization/surgery/laser for orbital hemangiomas. It also established China's first care fund for children with retinoblastoma, supporting 100+ children from 16 provinces.

3. Ocular Surface & Corneal Reconstruction

Pioneered oral mucosal epithelial cell-sheet reconstruction and combined oral mucosal–amniotic membrane transplantation for severe symblepharon with limbal stem cell failure; improved outcomes in Stevens–Johnson syndrome and chemical/thermal ocular burns.

4. Complex Pediatric Eye Disease

Created China's first childhood glaucoma patient database and a referral system for Sturge–Weber syndrome in collaboration with the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Research Platforms

• Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology (Director: Prof. Fan Xianqun)
• Ophthalmic Visual Science Institute, SJTU School of Medicine
• National Key Laboratory of Visual Health
• Ministry of Education Innovation Center for Basic Medicine Research on Visual System Diseases
• Ocular tumor biobank and PDX models

Address and Contact

Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

• South Campus (main): No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai; switchboard +86-21-23271699
• Pudong Campus: No. 1908 Gaoke West Road, Pudong New Area (International Medical Services unit opened 2024)

Shanghai is China's largest city and a global hub, well connected by Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

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This guide is prepared for international patients. If you need assistance with medical consultation, appointment booking, or travel arrangements to Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital's Department of Ophthalmology, contact Medora for personalized support.