Donald Munro Follow
Donald J. Munro is the Business Development Director of the Laboratory, University of Heidelberg.

Posts by Donald Munro
How was the Ridley-Rayner IOL made?
Who were the Rayner men who designed and made the early IOLs?
In lab history, Nov 29, 2024Flies, Blinding Worms, Spitting snakes!
Ridley's 1944 radio broadcast about his field trip to Funsi, (RiverBlindness is eradicated in Ghana now) and Ridley's snake venom paper
In history, Nov 26, 2024A Novice in Tropical Ophthalmology
Harold Ridley's field work expedition in Ghana during World War Two
In lab history, Sep 20, 2024Harold Ridley's birthday, 10 July
2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the first intraocular lens manufactured by Rayner in 1949. Sir Harold Ridley was born in Kibworth, a village in Leicestershire in the English Midlands, on 10th July 1906. He was the elder son of Nicholas Charles Ridley and Margaret (née Parker)
In lab history, Jul 10, 2024Two Apple cores
The core of the laboratory is the people who do the research. While David Apple was alive, he called his researchers the **Apple Korps**. Now one can talk of a New Generation of **Auffarth-Apple Korps**.
In lab news, history, Mar 01, 2023Recommending realistic incision sizes!
A recent study analyzed the recommended incision sizes of 13 intraocular lens injector systems in cataract surgery, finding that manufacturers' recommendations often lead to intraoperative incision enlargement, and in some cases, require larger incisions than recommended.
In lab, news, Feb 16, 2023Platinum Performance!
The German Congress of Ophthalmic Surgeons (DOC) in Nuremberg, Germany, on June 25, 2022, was the largest face-to-face meeting in three years with 5,400 delegates. Researchers from the David J Apple Center for Vision Research in Heidelberg won four of the seven "Conference Best Paper Awards," wit...
In laboratory, news, Jun 26, 2022Announcement: Prof. Auffarth to present the 2022 Ernst Bodenheimer Memorial Lecture.
Prof. Gerd U. Auffarth, MD, PhD, delivered the 2022 Ernst Bodenheimer Memorial Lecture on "Corneal Treatments and Surgery 2022: What We are Doing Differently" at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University.
In lab, news, Apr 27, 2022The Nuc'Cracker
ESCRS offers educational resources, including the "ESCRS 100" video series, live streaming of cataract surgery, and the ESCRS IOL Calculator.
In lab, news, Oct 10, 2021The 80th anniversary of David Apple
David J. Apple was a renowned ophthalmic pathologist who made significant contributions to the field of intraocular lens (IOL) research and ophthalmic surgery. He was a medical historian and biographer of Sir Harold Ridley, the inventor of the IOL. Apple founded the Center for Developing World Op...
In lab, history, Sep 14, 2021Singapore winner!
CSI Heidelberg Episode 4: DMEK with EndoArt, a prize-winning video, showcases the innovative EndoArt artificial implant used in place of human donor tissue for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).
In lab, news, Aug 01, 2021Remember 29th November!
"Today, November 29, 2020, marks the 71st anniversary of Sir Harold Ridley's first implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) at St Thomas's Hospital in London on November 29, 1949."
In news, history, Nov 29, 2020Anneke Worst (1928-2020)
Ophtec, a Dutch IOL manufacturer, was founded by Jan and Anneke Worst. Anneke Worst passed away in 2020, and the company continues to innovate with products like the Precizon Go IOL.
In ophthalmology, news, Aug 04, 2020Chinese presentation
The text discusses David J. Apple's laboratory experience and how ophthalmologists can contribute to the innovative development of artificial crystalline lenses. It includes a link to a presentation by Prof. Auffarth, which is in English, and thanks Eyebright for compiling and translating the con...
In lab, news, Jun 21, 2020After Lock-down - how to re-start?
The webinar, "SIFI Global Webinar," held on May 9, 2020, discussed the challenges of restarting cataract surgery after lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel, consisting of seven surgeons from Asia and Europe, covered topics such as patient interview protocols, COVID-19 tes...
In news, COVID 19, May 11, 2020DGII Mainz
The 34th Annual Congress of the DGII was held in Mainz, Germany, from February 13 to 15, 2020. The event featured presentations from the Apple Lab and the Eye Department in Heidelberg, with several team members winning awards for their research on intraocular lenses and optics.
In News, Feb 15, 2020Welcome 2020: New website
The David J Apple Lab celebrates the new year with a revamped website featuring contributor-based content on IOL research and history. They look forward to the ESCRS Congress in Amsterdam and reflect on their successful 2019, marked by publications in peer-reviewed journals on IOL studies.
In lab, news, Jan 01, 202070th IOL anniversary
"Today marks the 70th anniversary of Sir Harold Ridley's groundbreaking implantation of the first intraocular lens (IOL) at St. Thomas's Hospital in London on November 29, 1949."
In history, lab, Nov 29, 2019(ARCHIVE) 2019 cataract poster prizewinners in Paris
Dr. Daniel H. Chang, USA, won the First Prize for his poster on visual outcomes and defocus curve profiles of a next-generation diffractive presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens at the 2019 ESCRS meeting.
In Sep 15, 2019EDOF wavelength dependence
The latest paper from the David J Apple Lab, titled "The Effect of a Spectral Filter on Visual Quality in Patients with an Extended-Depth-Of-Focus Intraocular Lens," has been accepted for publication in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. The study examines the impact of spectral filters on vi...
In publication, Aug 19, 2018Optical Quality July 1, 2018
New research from the David J Apple Lab reveals that pars plana vitrectomy with gas injection increases the risk of secondary calcification in hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses, necessitating IOL exchange.
In publication, news, Jul 01, 2018Lab at ASCRS•ASOA ANNUAL MEETING (Washington DC)
The David J Apple Laboratory will be exhibiting at the 2018 ASCRS-ASOA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, at booth 762.
In news, Apr 14, 2018Dresden news
Dr. Hyeck-Soo Son, an ophthalmology resident and research fellow at the University of Heidelberg, received the Best Paper award at the German-speaking Society of Intraocular Lens Implantation for his research on simulating photic phenomena in different IOL models.
In Feb 17, 2018Albert Galand 1938 - 2015.
Albert Galand (1938-2015) was a pioneer in capsular IOL design and intra-capsular techniques. He developed novel capsulotomy methods, including the envelope technique, and designed lenses for capsular implantation. Galand was a strong advocate for in-the-bag fixation of IOLs and organized interna...
In pioneer, news, Jan 06, 2016New Look for the Lab
Apple has expanded its use of recycled materials across its products, including 59% recycled aluminum, 45% certified recycled rare earth elements, and 30% certified recycled tin. The company aims to use only renewable or recyclable materials in its products and has made significant progress towar...
In news, Nov 02, 2015Jan Worst 1928 to 2015
Jan Worst, a pioneer in intraocular lens (IOL) design and co-founder of Ophtec, died on September 25, 2015, in Groningen, Netherlands. He developed the iris claw lens and phakic IOLs, and his company, Ophtec, became a leading manufacturer of IOLs.
In IOL history obituary, Sep 29, 2015DGII Award for Mary Attia
Dr. Mary Safwat Aziz Attia, an ophthalmologist at Heidelberg University Clinic, won the "Best Paper of the Session" award at the 2015 DGII meeting for her research on multifocal IOLs using the Salzburg Reading Desk.
In research, news, Mar 11, 2015Feast for Eye and Ear
Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Auffarth, Head of the DJApple Lab, drew a record 730 attendees to his "Medicine in the Evening" lecture on ophthalmology, sponsored by the Rhein Neckar Zeitung.
In news, Jan 25, 2015The Ridleys visit the Lab
The Ridley Eye Foundation works to cure blindness in Nepal by providing small incision cataract surgery to those in need. The foundation collaborates with local hospitals and organizations to provide medical care and restore sight to people in remote areas.
In news, Dec 22, 2014Boston ASCRS.
Dr. Ramin Khoramnia won the Runner-Up prize in the Cataract Complications category at the 2014 ASCRS Films Awards Ceremony for his film "CSI: Heidelberg-IOL Analysis." He also received the ASCRS Foundation's 2014 Resident Excellence Award, recognizing his outstanding performance in research, pati...
In news, Apr 30, 2014Better vision for AMD patients.
Oculentis Lentis Mplus High Add IOL is a hydrophobic acrylic biconvex IOL which has a +8 D sector-shaped near addition resulting in 6 D of near correction at the spectacle plane and 1.5 times magnifying power. “It provides image magnification for near — quite useful for AMD patients who normally ...
In clinical, news, Apr 03, 2014Congratulations, Ramin!
Ramin Khoramnia, a Research Fellow from The Apple Lab, achieved second place in the European Board of Ophthalmology's 2013 exam, demonstrating exceptional knowledge and skills in ophthalmology.
In staff, news, Aug 29, 2013A Lab with history
David J. Apple was a renowned ophthalmic pathologist who significantly improved the world of ophthalmology through his groundbreaking research on intraocular lens (IOL) complications and ophthalmic surgery. He founded the Center for Developing World Ophthalmology and was a medical historian, biog...
In history, Aug 01, 2013The Legend of Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965) was multi-talented: a theologian, a doctor of medicine, a church organist, philosopher, pacifist and a philanthropist. Schweitzer received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his contribution to philosophy of "Reverence for Life."
In news lab history, Feb 21, 2013Crossing an Ocean – the laboratory that moved
The David J Apple Lab, led by Professor Gerd U. Auffarth, has relocated from Charleston, South Carolina to the University Eye Department of the University of Heidelberg. The lab aims to create an international research center for intraocular ophthalmic devices, continuing and expanding the work i...
In news, Nov 02, 2012Moving to Heidelberg.
“For us, it is a great honour to be able to carry on the legacy of this great man,” says the CEO of the company. “We are proud to be part of the project,’ he adds, “and we are looking forward to working with the team.”
In lab, news, Sep 11, 2012