Von Helmholtz Gold Medal awarded to professor at SOE meeting

MADRID, Spain – During the opening session of the 14th Congress of the European Society of Ophthalmology, Prof. Luc Missotten received the von Helmholtz Gold Medal Award. Bo Philipson, MD, president of the SOE, presented the award to Prof. Missotten for his outstanding contributions.

The award is named after Hermann von Helmholtz, MD, who invented the ophthalmoscope in the mid-1850s. His invention helped separate ophthalmology into its own field. Dr. von Helmholtz’s second major contribution was Physiological Optics, a book that reformed and expanded the physical theory of the eye.

“This year we give the Helmholtz award to Prof. Missotten. It is given for extraordinary contributions in ophthalmology,” Dr. Philipson said. “Helmholtz was a giant in European ophthalmology, and I think Prof. Missotten is a key follower.”

Prof. Missotten graduated as a doctor in medicine from the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium in 1955. Prof. Missotten received his PhD in 1965 when he worked on the ultra-structure of the human retina. After a brief period at Columbia University in New York, he became head of the ophthalmology clinic in Leuven, followed by professor of ophthalmology and then chairman of the ophthalmology department at the university from 1975 to 1977.

Prof. Missotten was also active in ophthalmic societies. He served as treasurer, secretary and chairman of the Belgium Ophthalmology Society from 1976 to 2000. He was president of the Association for Eye Research from 1989 to 1992 and was later elected secretary general for the European Association of Eye Research.

Prof. Missotten also played an important role in SOE, according to Dr. Philipson. Prof. Missotten was the secretary general from 1984 to 1996 and was its president from 1996 to 2000.

In closing, Dr. Philipson congratulated Prof. Missotten on his accomplishments and award. Missotten accepted the praise with great honor.