ALBERT GALAND

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Albert Galand MD, PhD, honorary member of the Belgian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (BSCRS) and former board member of the ESCRS. Prof Galand, who passed away on 22 December 2015, was also a member of the ESCRS Video Competition judging panel.

He was born in Brussels in 1938, and graduated from the University of Liège in 1964. Prof Galand later became Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Liège (1992–2004). During his tenure, he trained many ophthalmology fellows who now serve as professors.

PIONEERING WORK

Prof Galand was also a prolific researcher in the field of intraocular lens (IOL) design. With his pioneering work in primary posterior circular continuous capsulorhexis, Prof Galand was one of the key leaders in the field of posterior capsule opacification and IOL design.

He organised international symposia on a regular basis called “Intercapsula”, to which very well known colleagues were invited, including Michael Blumenthal, Charles Kelman and Jan Worst. He developed the technique called the “capsular envelope technique”, which was used for many years before the invention of the anterior capsulorhexis by Thomas Neuhann.

He was a member of the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club (IIIC) from 1984 and presented the IIIC medal lecture on the topic of “In the bag, back to the source” in 2010.

Prof Galand was an active player in the international ophthalmic community. He participated in international scientific organisations, including the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP

At the start of my career as chairperson of the Department of Ophthalmology of the Antwerp University Hospital in 1991, I had a lot of contact with Prof Galand. We were both founding members of the BSCRS.

Prof Galand proposed my name to the ESCRS, which resulted in my election as a member of the board in 1997. I have always been very thankful to Prof Galand for having been instrumental in initiating my international career.

Prof Galand was invited to speak at the meetings of many international societies, in recognition of his exemplary leadership in the field of ophthalmology. With his dedication, he made substantial improvements in ophthalmic teaching and training in Belgium and beyond.

The ESCRS extends its sympathy to his wife Hafida Sennouni and his children Vincent, Catherine, Samira, Arnaud and Jérôme.

Prof Dr Marie-José Tassignon was President of the ESCRS from 2004-2005