On June 15, 1982, ophthalmologists Paul Leonard and Jos Rommel received their PhDs for their research on the history of intraocular lenses in cataract surgery. I had the honour of being the paranymph (ceremonial assistant) at both dissertations.
In the early 1960s, the implantation of artificial lenses was still considered too risky in Europe due to complications. However, developments soon accelerated, and today it is standard practice to implant a synthetic lens after cataract removal. The work of Leonard and Rommel has since become the definitive reference on the history of the intraocular lens.
For that reason, Chinese ophthalmologists published the book in 2023 — 41 years later — in a Chinese translation.
