It is with great sadness that Aniridia Europe commemorates the passing of Prof. Dr Barbara Käsmann-Kellner.
This is a tremendous loss for the entire aniridia community. Prof. Käsmann-Kellner was a tireless scientist and clinician, a pioneer in numerous discoveries, and an outstanding example of what it means to be a doctor dedicated to patient care.
This is why, at Aniridia Europe’s General Assembly in 2024, she was named an Honorary Member of Aniridia Europe in recognition of her exceptional contributions and lifelong dedication to the aniridia community, not only in Germany, where she worked closely with the association AWS Aniridie-Wagr. V., but at an international level, as a reference scientist for all of us.
Among her countless activities in the aniridia field, which cannot all be listed, we recall in particular:
– her participation as a speaker in all the European Aniridia Conferences since the one in Venice, Italy, in 2014;
– the organisation of the 3rd European Aniridia Conference in Duisburg, Germany, in 2016, that for the first time introduced a session on the WAGR syndrome, opening a path that was followed by all the subsequent conferences;
– the publication of many scientific articles and contributions, among which the fundamental Aniridia Guides and Aniridia-Syndrome (PAX6-Syndrome): Do’s and Don’ts in Clinical Care, together with professors Arne Viestenz and Berthold Seitz, a chapter of the Springer publication Aniridia. Recent Developments in Scientific and Clinical Research (2015), which changed forever the way we look at aniridia;
– her support to the implementation of Congenital Aniridia: a brochure about the rare eye condition Aniridia, a document directed to patient and their families, general practitioners and pediatricians, school teachers, educational assistants and social workers, to promote an early visual intervention on newborn children to avoid or limit the risk for developmental delays due to severe visual impairment, as well as to encourage a correct approach on treatment and care for patients of all ages, providing the fundamental indications on diagnosis, routine check-ups and prevention.
It is moving today to look at the webinar Managing aniridia: dos and don’ts from infancy to adulthood, which she held together with Prof. Dominique Brémond Gignac, in which the two scientists provided a clear, comprehensive and scientifically impeccable contribution to the management of the condition for the aniridia community. The webinar can still be found on Aniridia Europe’s YouTube channel.
Prof. Käsmann-Kellner’s scientific achievements, her commitment, and her human warmth have left an indelible mark on our organisation and on all who had the privilege of working with her. It is hard to imagine our work without her presence, and words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel.
This is why Aniridia Europe, together with AWS Aniridie-Wagr e. V, has decided to promote a prize entitled to her name and directed to young researchers in the aniridia field during the next European Aniridia Conferences. The first one will be awarded in the poster session at the 8th EAC in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 17-19 April 2026.
In this sad moment, this is a way to express our deepest gratitude and to ensure her legacy lives on as a foundation for generations of scientists, doctors, and patients to build upon.
May she rest in peace.
The Board of Directors of Aniridia Europe
The Board of AWS Aniridie-Wagr e. V