It is with deep sorrow that we announce that Professor Eva Vlková, M.D., CSc. passed away on April 24, 2025, Prof. Vlková was born on 6 September 1952 in Brno and her entire professional life was connected with the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University and the Eye Clinic of St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno. After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine of the Medical University of Masaryk University in 1977, she became certified in ophthalmology, habilitated and in 1997 was awarded a professorship in ophthalmology.
In 1990 she became the first head of the Eye Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University and the University Hospital Brno, which she led for 29 years with respect for medicine. She was consistent and meticulous, always making sure that the care of her patients was provided with the highest professionalism. She became known as a phenomenal surgeon, mastering the entire ophthalmic surgery. She performed her last surgery in March this year. It was a very challenging surgery to excise a focal lesion from the iris and ciliary body. This procedure is only done by a unit of surgeons in the world.
Her expertise has become ultrasound biometry and diagnostics of the eye and orbit, anterior and posterior segment microsurgery, traumatology, reconstructive surgery, transplantation and laser surgery in ophthalmology. Its contribution to the first autotransplantation of Holoclar limbal cells in the Czech Republic in 2024 is extraordinary, thanks to which the Eye Clinic became the only certified centre in the Czech Republic. Her skills and dedication were evident in the mentoring of 17 PhD students, 13 of whom she directly mentored, and in the habilitation of two associate professors. Even after her tenure as head of the clinic, she continued to educate young surgeons.
She was a member of a number of professional societies and committees, including the Czech Ophthalmological Society, where she held the position of scientific secretary for two terms and was an honorary member, the Czech Medical Society of Jan Evangelista Purkyně, as well as international organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For several years, she was the managing editor of the professional journal Czech and Slovak Ophthalmology.
She was the author or co-author of many monographs and textbooks, articles in professional journals, and the principal investigator of many grants. Among her significant achievements are two inventions and industrial designs that contributed to the development of ophthalmic technology and practice.Her life's work and approach were based on the principle that she passed on to all who worked with her: 'To do medicine means to work carefully, conscientiously and with attention to every detail'.
Professor Eva Vlková leaves an indelible mark on Czech medicine that will be remembered with respect and gratitude. The last farewell will take place on Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 2.45 p.m. in the ceremonial hall of the Brno Crematorium
