Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital Cologne

Selected Program About The Hospital Departments Accommodation

University Hospital Cologne

Cologne, Germany

( 7/10 from votes )

Head of the Department

Prof. Dr. Claus Cursiefen

Department of Ophthalmology

Description Curriculum vitae

Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital Cologne provides conservative and surgical care for patients with diseases and tumors of the eye and orbit. The department practices the latest surgical methods of corneal and lens surgeries such as DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty). The Center for Laser Surgery has achieved impressive results in the field of correction of refractive errors.
Since glaucoma is a common cause of blindness, the medical staff pays special attention to it in the form of follow-up of at-risk patients, conservative and surgical treatment. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Med. Claus Cursiefen, the department treats more than 6,000 inpatients every year, nearly 2,000 of which suffer from glaucoma.

The Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital Cologne is specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of:

Macular degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
Strabismus
Nystagmus
Cataract
Glaucoma
Macular hole
Retinal detachment

Education and Professional Career

since 2019: Action-Co-Chair, EU COST Action Aniridia
since 2018: Member, Steering Board, European Vision Institute (EVI)
2018-2019: President, German Ophthalmological Society (DOG)
since 2016: Delegate Ophthalmology, Germany Research Foundation (DFG), Bonn
since 2015: Speaker, Research Unit FOR 2240 of German Research Foundation DFG
since 2015: Senate Member, University of Cologne
2014-2018: Action Chair, EU COST Action “Joining Forces in Corneal Regeneration”
since 2012: Member of CIO (Center for Integrated Oncology), Cologne-Bonn
since 2011: University Professor (W3) Ophthalmology and Chairman of the University Eye Hospital Cologne
2011: University Professor (W2) for Cornea and Anterior segment Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen
2009: Adjunct Associate Scientist and Visiting Professor, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School
2008-2012: Principal Investigator, SFB 643 (Strategies for cellular immune intervention)
2005-2011: Principal Investigator, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Erlangen. Member and later head of Commission for Junior Scientists
2004-2011: Privatdozent and Staff member (Oberarzt), Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen, Director of Cornea Bank
2003: Habilitation and Venia Legendi at the Medical Faculty, University of Erlangen
2002-2004: DFG Postdoctoral fellow at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Prof. Wayne Streilein)
2001: European and German Board Exam in Ophthalmology, International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Exam
1997: MD-thesis, Dept. of Anatomy, University of Würzburg: “summa cum laude” (Prof. Detlev Drenckhahn)
1995-2000: Residency in Ophthalmology, Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen
1988-1995: Study of Medicine, Universities of Regensburg, Würzburg, Dundee/St. Andrews and London, German Medical State Exam, USMLE

Awards and Distinctions

2019: Médaille d'Or Paul Chibret
since 2019: Visiting Professor, Tongji University Eye Center, Shanghai
2018: Fellow, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
2017: Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
2016: Erwin-Niehaus Award, Düsseldorf
2014: Best Paper Award, American Academy Ophthalmology, Chicago, USA
2014: Mahlon Barlow, MD Lecture, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
2012: “Achievement Award”, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Chicago
2010: „Best paper award“, 1st EUCORNEA Meeting, Venedig
2007: Research Award, German Ophthalmological Society, DOG, Berlin
2007: Nomination for „European Leadership Development Program“ 2007-2009 Societas Ophthalmologica Europeae, Wien
2006: Research Award 2006, Society for Microcirculation and Vascular Biology e.V. (GfMVB), Munich
2006: Research Award 2006, Dr. Walter and Luise Freundlich Foundation, Frankfurt
2005: Sicca-Research Award, DOG 2005, Berlin
2005: 1st place „Best Poster Award“, V. World Cornea Congress, Washington
2004: „Cora Verhagen Award“, Section Immunology ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology)
2004: Travel Grant, Eye Bank Association of America (ARVO 2004)
1997: MD thesis award, Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg
1991-1992: DAAD-Study Scholarship, University of Dundee/St. Andrews, GB
1989-1995: Study Scholarship, Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation e.V., Bonn
1988: Study travel award, ZIS e.V./German UNESCO, Schule Schlos