A British gentleman, a man with a vision Emanuel Saul Rosen MD, FRCSEd September 23, 1936-November 20, 2021.

Abstract

The field of ophthalmology lost a huge asset in November 2021. Emanuel Rosen was not only an innovator, pioneer, and driving force who helped shape the field of cataract and refractive surgery as we know it today, but he was also a wonderful colleague and kind friend. His successful career in the UK was lengthy and varied, but I would like to highlight the tremendous ways Emanuel helped shape the ESCRS and this journal. A more in-depth look at his career can be found on the ESCRS EuroTimes website (www.eurotimes.org). In 1973, a time when intraocular implants, phacoemulsification, and corneal refractive surgery were all met with hostility and reluctance by the medical/surgical establishment, Emanuel performed his first intraocular lens implantation after removing a cataract. Recognizing that this was the future, he assembled a group of young, passionate surgeons from around the world who were eager to develop new methods to help improve the vision of their patients. This group formed the Manchester Cataract Centre at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK, with the express purpose of surgical teaching and training. Emanuel's partnership with the hospital continued for nearly 30 years. In 1981, after years of networking, he was an inaugural member of the European IntraOcular Implant Council (EIIC). The society's membership grew quickly, and in 1988, the EIIC changed its name to the ESCRS.1 Emanuel was a key player in this transition and served as the first ESCRS President from 1988 to 1993. Some historical context puts the amazement of these achievements into perspective. During the time that the Manchester Cataract Centre and these European societies were founded and developing, the Cold War was ongoing, Europe was not unified in currency, borders or governing policy, and Germany was still divided by East and West. Today, the ESCRS is a society with 6730 members and 3086 trainees. Emanuel's desire to connect people and expand ideas was complimented by his commitment to move knowledge forward through publishing. In 1969, he published the first English-language textbook on retinal disorders and angiography. By 1986, he was the Editor of the English language version of Implant, the monthly journal of the EIIC. In 1996, as the EIIC continued to expand and changed its name to ESCRS, and in the advent of an internet-connected world, Dr. Stephen Obstbaum from the ASCRS and Emanuel Rosen from the ESCRS envisioned a collective journal for both societies.2 From this vision emerged the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Emanuel served as the JCRS European Editor from 1996 to 2014 and Case Report Editor from 2014 to 2020.2–4 Emanuel was a direct link to surgical pioneers who introduced what are now standard ideas, including intraocular lenses, phakic lenses, phacoemulsification, and corneal refractive laser surgery. He set a high bar of achievement, collegial cooperation, and commitment. I was lucky to have been able to work with him for so many years. He will be greatly missed, and his achievements will be remembered for decades to come. We extend our most sincere sympathy to his wife, Barbara, and 3 children, Caroline, William, and Edward.