It is with deep sadness that the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) has learned of the passing of our esteemed colleague and former president, Manfred Müller. As ECOO’s inaugural president from 1992 to 1994, Manfred Müller was a key figure in laying the groundwork for our organisation, and his contributions have left an enduring legacy.
Manfred Müller’s foresight and dedication was vital during the formation of ECOO, following the merger of the Pan European Group (PEG) and the Groupement des Opticiens du Marché Commun (GOMAC) in 1992. One of his earliest projects was laying the foundations for the European Diploma in Optometry, an initiative that has since evolved into a widely respected qualification. Educational institutions across Europe now use this syllabus as the basis for their optometry courses. On the occasion of ECOO and its predecessor bodies’ 60th anniversary, Manfred Müller reflected on this achievement, describing the harmonisation of standards as “fantastic”.
He was also a driving force behind the initiation of the first European congress, a tradition that continues today, fostering collaboration and advancement within the profession across Europe.
Among his many contributions, Manfred Müller is also remembered for the “Müller Formula,” a proposal for calculating ECOO membership subscriptions based on national GDP, population, and the number of professionals in each country. This formula has also been used by the World Council of Optometry (WCO), of which Manfred Müller was president from 1998 to 2000.
Manfred Müller’s legacy continues through his family as well. His daughter, Dr Sigrid Müller-Schotte, has made a long-standing contribution to the European Diploma in Optometry, and served on the ECOO Board of Management and now on the European Qualifications Board, which is responsible for the accreditation oversight.
ECOO honours the significant impact Manfred Müller had on our organisation and the broader field of optometry. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
You can download a copy of this statement here.
For those wishing to hear Manfred Müller’s reflections on his presidency, a video from the 60th anniversary of ECOO and its predecessor bodies is available here.
Picture of Manfred Müller on his 85th birthday kindly made available by his family.