Visionary Achievements
Professor Arthur Bergen's Snellen Penning Award
On the 10th of November 2023, Professor Arthur Bergen, head of the section Ophthalmogenetics of the Human Genetics Department at Amsterdam UMC, was honored with the National Snellen Penning Award. This accolade is named after the famous Dutch Professor Herman Snellen, best known for creating the Snellen Letter Chart in 1862. This chart is used to measure visual acuity and is a fundamental tool in worldwide eye care to this day.
Awarded only once every five years since 1958, the Snellen Penning is a tribute to Professor Bergen’s revolutionary work in Ophthalmogenetics. His achievements in uncovering the genetic underpinnings of eye diseases and leading the development of innovative treatments have significantly transformed the field. Professor Bergen’s contributions, recognized internationally for their impact, have shifted the focus from merely identifying genes and understanding genetic mechanisms to pioneering actual genetic-driven diagnostics and therapies.
The Snellen Penning Symposium was hosted in the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht. Professor Camiel Boon from the Ophthalmology Department and Professor Clara van Karnebeek from the Pediatrics Department, both of Amsterdam UMC, delivered honorary lectures that emphasized the interdisciplinary collaboration essential for advancing medical science.
Prof. Bergen’s acceptance lecture was titled “A Vision of Genes.” He detailed past achievements and future possibilities of the Ophthalmogenetics Section on their journey to illuminate the mysteries of vision through the lens of genetics.
In receiving the prestigious Snellen Penning Award, Prof. Arthur Bergen solidifies his place as a pioneer in Ophthalmogenetics and highlights the ongoing convergence of genetics and ophthalmology in reshaping the landscape of eye care.
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