Prof Holden Awarded for Excellence
Presenting the Award at the 2007 Optometry’s Meeting in Boston (the joint Annual American Optometric Association Congress and Annual American Optometric Student Association Conference) Dr Donald Korb said:
“The contact lens field has been fortunate to have Brien choose our field for his research. Seminal researcher, teacher, author, inventor, entrepreneur, visionary and prophet – words cannot capture what Brien Holden has and continues to contribute.”
As well as being Executive Chair and CEO of Optometry Giving Sight, Professor Holden’s humanitarian work extends to being Chair of the International Centre for Eyecare Education and a Director of the global board of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight.
Dr Korb continued:
“Many conduct research. Few are responsible for seminal work of historical significance. The Holden Mertz seminal work on oxygen requirements to prevent corneal edema during daily and extended wear resulted in a revolution in our thinking, and the development of high DK lenses including the present silicone hydrogel lens materials… His efforts have advanced the state of contact lenses, our level of clinical competence, and have served to stimulate further innovation.”
Professor Holden is active in international education and research and is the author of over 200 refereed papers. His other roles include Scientia Professor of the University of New South Wales; founder and Director of the Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales; CEO of the Institute for Eye Research, Deputy CEO of the Vision Cooperative Research Centre and Chair of the Refractive Error Working Group of the World Health Organization.
