In February 2000, the worldwide ophthalmology community celebrated the 50th anniversary of one of the twentieth century`s most important innovations in eye care – the implantation of the first intraocular lens after cataract extraction by Sir Harold Ridley. It was the initiation of a golden age for the development of ophthalmology, especially cataract surgery. In our paper we would like to remember this outstanding English ophthalmologist and his great invention