EuCornea, officially known as the European Society of Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease Specialists, was founded in 2009 during the XXVII Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) in Barcelona.
EuCornea was established by a group of leading ophthalmologists including Professor Harminder Singh Dua, Dr. José Güell, Professor François Malecaze and Professor Vincenzo Sarnicola. Their aim was to create a professional platform dedicated to advancing knowledge, research, and clinical practice in the field of corneal and ocular surface diseases.
EuCornea is a non-profit scientific society with the following key goals:
- To promote collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and skills among corneal specialists across Europe.
- To support and document scientific research related to the cornea and ocular surface.
- To encourage the spread of high-level expertise in ophthalmology, specifically corneal health, among professionals and the wider public.
- To work in close partnership with similar international organisations committed to advancing the field.
Since its founding, EuCornea has become one of Europe’s leading corneal societies. It holds an annual congress, which serves as a key event for professionals in the field, featuring educational sessions, case discussions, wetlabs and networking opportunities.
Trustees

Harminder Dua
UK

José Güell
Spain

Jesper Hjortdal
Denmark
Executive

Mario Nubile
Italy
EuCornea President

Ingemar Gustafsson
Sweden
Treasurer

Beatrice Cochener
France
Past President

Georgios Kymionis
Greece
Past President
Board

Nicolas Alejandre
Spain

Bruce Allan
UK

Myriam Barbany
Spain

Claus Cursiefen
Germany

Carina Koppen
Belgium

Nuno Moura Coelho
Portugal

Sebastian Siebelmann
Germany

Vincenzo Sarnicola
Italy
(Non-voting Member)
Past Presidents
2023 - 2025

Beatrice Cochener-Lamard
France
2021 - 2022

Georgios Kyminios
Greece
2019 - 2020

Jesper Hjortdal
Denmark
2017 - 2018

Friedrich Kruse
Germany
2015 - 2016

Francois Malecaze
France
2013 - 2014

Jose Guell
Spain
2011 - 2012

Harminder Dua
UK
2009 - 2010

Vincenzo Sarnicola
Italy
Medal Lecture Recipients
2025

Jod Mehta
Singapore
2024

Marc Muraine
France
2023

Georgios Kymionis
Greece
2022

Vincenzo Sarnicola
Italy
2021

Jesper Hjortdal
Denmark
2020

Donald Tan
Singapore
2019

Sadeer Hannush
USA
2018

Carlos Belmonte
Spain
2017

Francois Malecaze
France
2016

Paolo Rama
Italy
2015

John Dart
UK
2014

Jose Guell
Spain
2013

Gabriel van Rij
The Netherlands
2012

Harminder Dua
UK
2011

Peter Laibson
USA
Purpose
The Society is a non-profit, scientific organisation active in Europe and whose purpose is in particular:
- To promote personal relationships and exchange of scientific knowledge and practical skills among corneal specialists in Europe
- To encourage, support and register scientific research in the field of cornea and ocular surface disease in Europe
- To promote the dissemination of the highest level of knowledge in the field of ophthalmology and specifically in cornea and ocular surface disease among ophthalmologists and the public
- To promote an efficient collaboration with similar organisations worldwide which contribute to progress in the field of cornea and ocular surface disease
Aims of the Society
In order to attain the purpose as stated in article of these Bye Laws, the Society may in particular carry out the following activities:
- The organisation of an open scientific congress every year
- The organisation of an annual meeting of its members
- The organisation and promotion of special and regional meetings
- Keep its members informed about medical research in the field of cornea and ocular surface disease
- The issuance of ethical standards and a code of ethics
- The issuance of guidelines for subspecialty training in the fields of cornea and ocular surface disease
- The support of scientific research and education in the field of cornea and ocular surface disease