Awards and Medals

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The International Council of Ophthalmology is proud to recognize the following leaders in international ophthalmology who were nominated by their peers and selected by the ICO to receive these well-deserved honors.

  • Gonin Medal
  • International Duke Elder Medal
  • Jules Francois Golden Medal
  • ICO Ophthalmic Pathology Award
  • Bietti Medal
  • Tadeusz Krwawicz Gold Medal
  • Mark Tso Golden Apple Award
  • GOH Naumann Award
  • Bruce Spivey Ophthalmic Education Award

Gonin Medal

The Gonin Medal is awarded every four years and recognizes outstanding work and research in the field of ophthalmology. The Medal is given by the ICO President during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.

DateRecipientCity/Country
2022Stanley ChangNew York, USA
2018Jean-Jacques De LaeyGhent, Belgium
2014Alice McPhersonHouston, USA
2010Alan BirdLondon, England
2006Alfred SommerBaltimore, USA
2002Gottfried O.H. NaumannErlangen, Germany
1998Robert MachemerDurham, USA
1994Harold L. RidleyLondon, England
1990Barrie R. JonesLondon, England
1986Akira NakajimaTokyo, Japan
1982Alfred Edward MaunameeBaltimore, USA
1978Norman Henry AshtonLondon, England
1974David C. CoganCambridge, USA
1970Gerhard Meyer-SchwickerathEssen, Germany
1966Jules FrançoisGent, Belgium
1962Hans GoldmanBern, Switzerland
1958Alan WoodsBaltimore, USA
1954Stewart Duke-ElderLondon, England
1950Hermenegilde ArrugaBarcelona, Spain
1945Paul BailliartParis, France
1941Alfred VogtZurich, Switzerland

International Duke Elder Medal

The International Duke Elder Medal is awarded every four years to an ophthalmologist recognized for outstanding global leadership and for having contributed to the development of international relations and friendship between ophthalmologists. The Medal is given by the ICO President during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.

DateRecipientCity/Country
2022David SpaltonUnited Kingdom
2018Rubens Belfort, Jr.Sao Paulo, Brazil
2014Richard AbbottTiburon, USA
2010Mohammad Daud KhanPeshawar, Pakistan
2006Bradley R. StraatsmaLos Angeles, USA
2002Peter WatsonCambridge, England
1998Alfred SommerBaltimore, USA
1994Edward NortonMiami, USA
1990Benjamin BoydPanama City, Panama
1986A. Edward MaumaneeBaltimore, USA
1982Jules FrançoisGent, Belgium

Jules Francois Golden Medal

The Jules François Golden Medal is awarded every four years to an ophthalmologist doing outstanding work of highest scientific quality. The Medal is given by the ICO President during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.
DateRecipientCity/Country
2020Irene H. MaumeneeBaltimore, USA
2016Clare GilbertLondon, England
2014Peter WatsonCambridge, England
2010Gisèle SoubraneCréteil, France
2006Bruce E. SpiveySan Francisco, USA
2002Bradley R. StraatsmaLos Angeles, USA
1998Alan C. BirdLondon, England
1994J. Donald M. GassMiami, USA
1990Saiichi MishimaTokyo, Japan
1986Pierre AmalricAlbi, France

ICO Ophthalmic Pathology Award

The ICO Ophthalmic Pathology Award recognizes outstanding research in ophthalmic pathology. The Award is given every four years and given at the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.

DateRecipientCity/Country
2022Tero KiveläHelsinki, Finland
2018Sarah CouplandLiverpool, England
2014Mark TsoBaltimore, USA
2010Ursula Schlötzer-SchrehardtErlangen, Germany
2006Thaddeus DryjaBoston, USA

The Bietti Medal

The Bietti Medal is awarded every four years to a distinguished ophthalmologist in recognition of scientific and educational contribution in ophthalmology and for facilitating international communications in the ophthalmic community. The Medal is given by the ICO President during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.
DateRecipientCity/Country
2020Robert RitchNew York City, USA
2016Sir Peng Tee KhawLondon, England
2012Rosario BrancatoMilan, Italy
2008Narsing A. RaoLos Angeles, USA

The Tadeusz Krwawicz Gold Medal

The Tadeusz Krwawicz Gold Medal is awarded every four years to an ophthalmologist who has significantly contributed to the advancement of ophthalmology, doing outstanding work in the treatment of diseases of the anterior segment and/or introduction of new technologies and to the advancement of international relationships among ophthalmologists. The Medal is given by the ICO President during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.
DateRecipientCity/Country
2020David F. ChangLos Altos, USA
2016Marie-José TassignonEdegem, Belgium
2012Alan C. BirdLondon, England
2008Douglas R. AndersonMiami, USA

The ICO Mark Tso Golden Apple Award

The Mark Tso Golden Apple Award is presented to an ophthalmologist doing outstanding work in regional training who is recognized for innovation and leadership in ophthalmic education within each of the four supranational regions. The Award is presented to an ophthalmologist every other year at the Supranational Congress. The recipient is invited to deliver the ICO Mark Tso Golden Apple Award Lecture during sessions of the congress dedicated to the field of education. Mark Tso was the ICO Vice President 1998—2006 and served as Director for Education until 2012. His dedication to ophthalmic education is honored through this award.

DateRecipientCity/Country
2023Amel Meddeb OuertaniTunisia
2023A.H.M. Enayet Hussain Bangladesh
2017Rafael Sánchez FontánMexico City, Mexico
2017Wagih AclimandosLondon, England
2017Lin-chung WoungChinese Taipei
2016Kanxing ZhaoTianjin, China
2016Richard AbbottSan Francisco, USA
2015Peter A. QuirosPasadena, USA
2015Zdenek J. GregorBarbican, London
2015Frank MartinSydney, Australia
2014Charles McGheeAuckland, New Zealand
2013Steve RyanLos Angeles, USA
2013Gabriel van RijNetherlands
2013Peter McCluskeySydney, Australia
2012Mark TsoBaltimore, USA
2011Dennis LamHong Kong, China
2010Ian ConstablePerth, Australia
2009Selvarajah SivaguruKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2008Ronald Lam Soon YeohSingapore
2007Xiao-xin LiChina
2006SS BadrinathIndia

G.O.H. Naumann Award

The G.O.H. Naumann Award is given in recognition of Professor G.O.H. Naumann’s contributions as President of the International Council of Ophthalmology and his emphasis on the importance of ophthalmology providing leadership for global eye care. The Board of Trustees will present this award every four years to a young ophthalmologist who, acting as a leader of a supranational, national or subspecialty society that is a member of the ICO, has shown outstanding leadership and has made a significant contribution to global eye care. The Award is given by the President of the ICO Board during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.

DateRecipientCity/Country
2022Dennis C. LamChina
2018Abdulaziz AlRajhiSaudi Arabia
2014Ahmed TrabelsiTunis, Tunisia
2013Nag RaoHyderabad, India
2012Shigeaki OhnoSapporo, Japan
2011Frank BillsonSydney, Australia
2010Adel Al RushoodSaudi Arabia
2009Francisco ContrerasLima, Peru
2008Benedictus G.K. AjayiIbadan, Nigeria

Bruce Spivey Ophthalmic Education Award

The Bruce Spivey Ophthalmic Education Award is awarded every four years to an ophthalmologist doing outstanding work in global education who, through innovation, development or application, has significantly advanced ophthalmic education in a manner that enhances eye care and the preservation of vision. The Medal is given by the ICO President during the Opening Ceremony of the World Ophthalmology Congress.
DateRecipientCity/Country
2020Bruce E. SpiveySan Francisco, USA
2016David TaylorLondon, England
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