Professor Carlo Traverso has been awarded the 2026 Manfred Bootz Prize, a prestigious recognition dedicated to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the management of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.

The prize was established following a bequest by Manfred Bootz, a patient at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Medical Center Mainz. In accordance with his wishes, a foundation was created to administer the award, with Professor Norbert Pfeiffer, former Director of the Mainz Eye Clinic, appointed by the Ministry of Health to chair it.

The selection process involves the Foundation’s Board of Directors identifying and evaluating candidates from Germany and internationally, based on their scientific and clinical contributions to glaucoma care.

Professor Traverso was selected for his pivotal role in the prevention of glaucoma-related blindness. Among his most significant achievements is the foundation and development of the European Glaucoma Society Guidelines, which he has actively promoted and helped shape as one of the leading contributors. These guidelines are now widely recognized and adopted worldwide as a key reference for clinical practice.

The award ceremony took place on March 12, 2026, in Düsseldorf, during the AAD – Augenärztliche Akademie Deutschland, one of the most important European events in the field of ophthalmology.

This marks the first time the Manfred Bootz Prize has been awarded to an Italian recipient.