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International Award for King’s ophthalmology specialist

03 November 2026 - Congratulations to Mr Wagih Aclimandos, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at King’s

The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) has awarded its Gold Decoration of Honour to Mr Wagih Aclimandos, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Aclimandos, who has held the position of President of the UEMS Section of Ophthalmology since 2018, received the international honour at a ceremony in Brussels on 17 October 2026.

The UEMS Gold Decoration of Honour is a prestigious award, presented to a medical specialist who has made outstanding contributions to European healthcare and medical education. Mr Aclimandos has previously held the positions of President of the Ophthalmology section at the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM), President of the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) and President of the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE).

The award recognised Mr Aclimandos’ work to set the foundation of European Subspeciality Exams in Ophthalmology, and his dedication to standardise ophthalmology training across Europe.

With a career spanning back to 1992 at King’s, Mr Aclimandos’ contributions to the study and treatment of abnormalities of the eye have won him many international awards, including the International Council of Ophthalmology Golden Apple Medal 2017, the Peter Eustace Medal in 2019 as well as the Henkes Medal in 2025.

Mr Wagih Aclimandos said: “I feel truly honoured to have been presented this Award by my UEMS colleagues. Ophthalmology has been a life-long passion. It has been a privilege to work with great colleagues, and support the next generation of specialists in this field by helping to set the standard for training and its implication on patients care.”

Mr Eoin O’Sullivan, Clinical Director of Ophthalmology at King’s College Hospital, added: “This award is an important acknowledgement of Wagih’s achievements, and of his wider impact on the field of eye care. His work has not only made a direct difference to the patients he treats, but has also improved care for countless others through the knowledge, training, and mentorship he has shared with colleagues.”