Professor Ioannis Pallikaris, MD, PhD developed the LASIK procedure involving the microkeratome and hinged corneal flap and the excimer laser in 1991. He has been elected the next president of the ESCRS. Dr Pallikaris is Professor, Rector of the University of Crete, Head of Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Heraklion, Crete, Greece and founder & Director of the Vardinoyannion Eye Institute of Crete. He has published several books and countless journal articles on refractive surgery. His numerous awards include the Barraquer award, Charles D. Kelman Innovator’s award and the Keratomileusis Study Group award. More recent innovations include the Epi-LASIK technique and the Photoablatable Lenticular Modulator (PALM).