The method for corneal identification developed by Professor Celia Sánchez-Ramos from the Optometry and Vision Department of Complutense University has won the Grand Prize of the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva.

Sánchez-Ramos’ invention is an infallible system for identifying people, because it finds differentiating characteristics in their eyes. In order to do this it photographs a subject’s cornea several times, and then compares 1,000 different points with a previously registered image. This improves on previous biometric techniques, such as fingerprints or analysis of the iris, because the new method permits observation of the topography of the cornea, which cannot be replicated.

Innocuous, non-invasive and producing no side-affects, this system can be used on all people and is based on individuality, given that the topography of the cornea cannot be manipulated. It provides, therefore, a unique and untransferable pattern for each person. Even after eye surgery a person’s correct identification could still be guaranteed.

The award for the invention was given by an international jury composed of 85 members, which considered about 1,000 inventions presented by scientists from 45 countries in attendance at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva. This is the first time a Spaniard has ever won this award, and only the second time that a woman has won it.