In Loving Memory of Daisy Godts
IOA’s official Tribute
It is with profound sadness that the International Orthoptic Association mourns
the passing of Daisy Godts, an extraordinary orthoptist, teacher, mentor,
colleague and friend whose contribution to our profession reached far beyond
borders.
For more than four decades, Daisy devoted her life to orthoptics with remarkable
passion, energy and generosity. Her career was exceptional, but what made Daisy
truly special was the person behind all those achievements: her warmth, her
enthusiasm, her curiosity, her infectious joy for life, and her genuine desire to
bring people together.
Daisy was deeply committed to the international orthoptic community. A member
of the IOA since 80’s-90’s, she served the Association in numerous roles over the
years, contributing to its development, its international relationships and its
scientific activities. She also played a major role in the Belgian Orthoptic
Association and in many other national and international organisations. Wherever
orthoptics was being discussed, taught or developed, Daisy was never far away.
But perhaps one of Daisy’s greatest legacies is everything she shared with others.
She dedicated much of her career to teaching and mentoring generations of
orthoptists and ophthalmologists. Her knowledge travelled around the world,
from Belgium and the Netherlands to India, Brazil, Australia, Morocco, Norway,
Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda and many other countries. She did not simply teach
orthoptics — she shared her experience freely and enthusiastically, always
helping others to grow.
Her commitment extended far beyond lecture halls and congresses. Through
numerous humanitarian and teaching missions in the Dominican Republic, India,
Congo, Nigeria and Rwanda, Daisy devoted her time and expertise to improving
eye care and supporting local professionals.
Her scientific work also helped advance our profession. Throughout her career,
she contributed extensively to research and publications in strabismus, binocular
vision, diplopia, amblyopia, nystagmus and many other areas of orthoptics.
Her outstanding contribution was recognised with the Stephenson Honorary
Fellow Award in 2025, celebrating a career defined by leadership, research,
education and humanitarian service.
Yet no list of positions, publications, congresses or awards could ever fully
describe Daisy.
Those who had the privilege of knowing her will remember her smile, her energy,
her generosity and her wonderful joy of life. She had an extraordinary ability to
connect people across countries, languages and generations, and to make our
international orthoptic community feel a little smaller and a lot closer.
Daisy leaves behind an extraordinary professional legacy, but above all, she leaves
behind the countless people she taught, encouraged, inspired and befriended.
Her knowledge will continue through those she taught, her passion will live on in
the profession she loved, and her smile and joyful spirit will remain in the
memories of all those fortunate enough to have known her.
The international orthoptic community has lost one of its most remarkable
ambassadors.
Our thoughts are with Daisy’s family, friends, colleagues and all those whose lives
she touched.
For those who would like to express their condolences to the family, this can be
done through the following link: https://www.mortus.be/condoleren
Thank you, Daisy, for everything you gave to orthoptics — and to all
of us.
You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
