The 2026 Heidelberg Helmholtz Days

Heidelberg 12 October 2026

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to this year’s Heidelberg Helmholtz Days, November 27–28, 2026.

The conference will take place in the city of Heidelberg’s new, state-of-the-art convention center in the Bahnstadt district. This is a cutting-edge convention venue featuring beautiful architecture. You can once again look forward to an interesting event.

Hermann von Helmholtz

As always, the Helmholtz Days program includes a certified KRC course as well as a certified IVOM course. From 1858 to 1871, Hermann von Helmholtz was Professor of Physiology at the University of Heidelberg. In honor of his contribution to our profession, our program ranges from the anterior segment, cornea, lens, and glaucoma to retina-related topics, allowing us to cover the field of ophthalmology almost in its entirety. In the 1850s, Helmholtz revolutionized the field of ophthalmology with the invention of the ophthalmoscope. His interests at that time were increasingly focused on the physiology of the senses. His main publication, Handbuch der Physiologischen Optik, provided empirical theories on depth perception, colour vision, and motion perception, and became the fundamental reference work for ophthalmologits during the second half of the nineteenth century.

One special highlight this year is our keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Damien Gatinel who heads the Anterior & Refractive Surgery Department at Hôpital Fondation Rothschild. in Paris.

Prof. Dr. Damien Gatinel

Prof. Gatinel is known, among other things, as a world-renowned expert in the field of intraocular lenses and, in particular, as the developer of the first trifocal lenses.

Furthermore, there will once again be a “Near-Live Surgery” video symposium, during which we will present surgical videos in 3D format using the latest technology. Additional interesting sessions for ophthalmic support staff round out the conference.

Overall, the Heidelberg Helmholtz Days will once again provide a very interesting forum for professional exchange.

I look forward to welcoming you all there.

Prof. Dr. med. G. U. Auffarth

Director of the Heidelberg University Eye Clinic

Head of the David J Apple Center for Vision Research