# Jan Keunen

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jan_Keunen
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jan_Keunen.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Keunen
> Source revision: 1306723193
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Dutch ophthalmologist and member of the Senate

Jan Keunen Keunen at a 2022 conference for ambassadors Member of the Senate In office 26 October 2020 – 13 June 2023 Preceded by Roel Wever Personal details Born Johannes Ernest Everard Keunen (1954-10-02) 2 October 1954 (age 71) Roermond, Netherlands Party People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Spouse Florence Lohuis ​ ​ (m. 1989; died 2014)​ Children 2 Alma mater Radboud University Nijmegen, Utrecht University Occupation Ophthalmologist, professor

**Johannes Ernest Everard** "**Jan**" **Keunen** (born 2 October 1954) is a Dutch [ophthalmologist](/source/Ophthalmologist), professor, and politician. After studying medicine at [Radboud University Nijmegen](/source/Radboud_University_Nijmegen) and receiving his doctorate in 1988, he worked at academic hospitals in Utrecht, Leiden, and Nijmegen. He served as a member of the [Senate](/source/Senate_(Netherlands)) between 2020 and 2023. Keunen is a member of the conservative–liberal [People's Party for Freedom and Democracy](/source/People's_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy) (VVD) and has supported banning the sale of [consumer fireworks](/source/Consumer_fireworks).

## Early life and education

Keunen was born in 1954 in the Dutch city of [Roermond](/source/Roermond) to Rudy Keunen (1921–1996) and Béatrice Finály (1925). His father was the president of an [Eindhoven](/source/Eindhoven) [leather tannery](/source/Tanning_(leather)), which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1828, while his mother worked as a nurse.[1][2] Keunen grew up with two sisters and one brother, and he attended the [Eindhoven](/source/Eindhoven) secondary school [Scholengemeenschap Augustinianum](/source/Scholengemeenschap_Augustinianum) from 1967 to 1972 at [HBS-B](/source/Hogere_Burgerschool) level.[1][3] He subsequently studied medicine at [Radboud University Nijmegen](/source/Radboud_University_Nijmegen), graduating in 1979, and served as a [reservist](/source/Reservist) at the Utrecht military hospital Dr. A. Mathijsen. Starting in 1981, Keunen was trained as an ophthalmologist at the Ooglijdersgasthuis in [Utrecht](/source/Utrecht). He became a junior staff member there in 1985, when he started studying at [Utrecht University](/source/Utrecht_University).[3] He received his [doctorate](/source/Doctorate) from that university three years later after finishing his [dissertation](/source/Dissertation) titled *[Densitometry](/source/Densitometry) in diseases and [senescence](/source/Senescence) of the human retina*.[4]

## Medical career

Keunen stayed at the Ooglijdersgasthuis after completing his studies. He moved to the [Academic Hospital Utrecht](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Academic_Hospital_Utrecht&action=edit&redlink=1) in 1989, when the Ooglijdersgasthuis became part of that hospital.[5] In the years 1990–91, he visited the [University of Chicago](/source/University_of_Chicago)'s Visual Sciences Center as a [Fulbright Scholar](/source/Fulbright_Program).[4]

Keunen took a job as ophthalmology department head and professor at the [Leiden University Medical Center](/source/Leiden_University_Medical_Center) in 1995.[6] His specialization was [ocular oncology](/source/Ocular_oncology).[4] In 2003, he also became chair of Vision 2020 Netherlands, an initiative of the [World Health Organization](/source/World_Health_Organization) to eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment. The initiative concluded that over 200,000 people in the Netherlands were unnecessarily suffering from these conditions.[7] While working in Leiden, Keunen also served as scientific secretary and secretary of the professional organization Nederlands Oogheelkundig Gezelschap (NOG) starting in 1995 and as European co-chair of [The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness](/source/The_International_Agency_for_the_Prevention_of_Blindness).[4][8] He continued working at the Leiden hospital until February 2005.[9]

Thereafter, Keunen served as teacher, professor, and head of the ophthalmology department at the [Radboud University Medical Center](/source/Radboud_University_Medical_Center).[4] Keunen's research has focussed on [laser surgery](/source/Laser_surgery) and new treatments for patients with eye cancer and retina disorders including [macular degeneration](/source/Macular_degeneration).[4][10] His department was the first in the Netherlands to use a microsecond laser in 2007 and the [Pascal Photocoagulator](/source/Pascal_Photocoagulator) in 2008.[11][12] Keunen cut back his hours after his wife's death in 2014 and became acting department head.[4] That same year, he was appointed to the [Health Council of the Netherlands](/source/Health_Council_of_the_Netherlands), which advises the parliament and the government and has over 100 members.[13] Keunen retired from the Radboud UMC in 2019 with his farewell lecture being planned for June 2020.[3][14] However, it was postponed by one year due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).[14] Keunen was made an Officer in the [Order of Orange-Nassau](/source/Order_of_Orange-Nassau) after his lecture in [Saint Stephen's Church](/source/Saint_Stephen's_Church%2C_Nijmegen) in Nijmegen.[15]

During his career, he has called for a ban on the sale of [consumer fireworks](/source/Consumer_fireworks) around [New Year's Eve](/source/New_Year's_Eve), as accidents can cause major eye injuries. He has argued consumer fireworks should be replaced by organized displays. Besides, he has promoted the use of [safety glasses](/source/Safety_glasses) while being close to fireworks.[16] In 2014, he was one of the initiators of a manifesto against consumer fireworks, which has been signed by hundreds of thousands of individuals and organizations.[17] Keunen has also warned against illegal [laser pointers](/source/Laser_pointer).[18]

## Politics

Keunen has been a member of the VVD since about 1990 and a member of the party's health care network since the early 2000s.[19][11] Besides, he was the chair of VVD Nijmegen starting in 2014 and became chair of the organization VVD [Rijk van Nijmegen](/source/Rijk_van_Nijmegen) when the former chapter merged with a few others in 2016.[3][20] He remained its chair until January 2019, and he is still a board member of VVD Rijk van Nijmegen.[3][19] During the [2019 Dutch Senate election](/source/2019_Dutch_Senate_election), Keunen was placed fourteenth on the VVD's [party list](/source/Party_list).[19] He was not elected, as his party received 12 seats. Keunen was installed as senator on 26 October 2020 after [Roel Wever](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roel_Wever&action=edit&redlink=1) had vacated his seat to accept the position of mayor of [Heerlen](/source/Heerlen).[10] Avine Fokkens-Kelder was higher on the list, but she declined the position.[21] Keunen simultaneously left the Health Council.[3] He did not run for [re-election in May 2023](/source/2023_Dutch_Senate_election), and his term ended on 13 June.[3][22]

When the VVD was debating its stance against a proposed consumer fireworks ban in early 2025, Keunen presented a petition in support of such a ban signed by 450 members to member of parliament [Ingrid Michon](/source/Ingrid_Michon).[23]

### Parliamentary committees

- Committee for the Interior and High Council of State/General Affairs and Royal Family

- Committee for Immigration and Asylum/[Justice and Home Affairs Council](/source/Justice_and_Home_Affairs_Council)

- Committee for Kingdom Relations

- Committee for Health, Welfare and Sport[24]

## Personal life

Keunen married divorce attorney Florence Lohuis (1961–2014) on 14 April 1989 in [Montfoort](/source/Montfoort). They have two children, Victor (1991) and Béatrice (1994).[1][4] Keunen is a resident of [Nijmegen](/source/Nijmegen).[3]

## Decorations

- [Order of Orange-Nassau](/source/Order_of_Orange-Nassau) - Officer (4 June 2021)[15]

## Selected publications

- Oosterhuis JA, Journée-de Korver HG, Keunen JE (February 1998). ["Transpupillary thermotherapy: results in 50 patients with choroidal melanoma"](https://doi.org/10.1001%2Farchopht.116.2.157). *[Archives of Ophthalmology](/source/Archives_of_Ophthalmology)*. **116** (2): 157–162. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1001/archopht.116.2.157](https://doi.org/10.1001%2Farchopht.116.2.157). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [9488266](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9488266).

- Sommerburg O, Keunen JE, Bird AC, van Kuijk FJ (August 1998). ["Fruits and vegetables that are sources for lutein and zeaxanthin: the macular pigment in human eyes"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1722697). *[British Journal of Ophthalmology](/source/British_Journal_of_Ophthalmology)*. **82** (8): 907–910. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1136/bjo.82.8.907](https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbjo.82.8.907). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [1722697](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1722697). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [9828775](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9828775).

- Boon CJ, den Hollander AI, Hoyng CB, Cremers FP, Klevering BJ (March 2008). "The spectrum of retinal dystrophies caused by mutations in the peripherin/RDS gene". *Progress in Retinal and Eye Research*. **27** (2): 213–235. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.preteyeres.2008.01.002](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.preteyeres.2008.01.002). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [18328765](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18328765). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [31756424](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:31756424).

- Boon CJ, Klevering BJ, Leroy BP, Hoyng CB, Keunen JE, den Hollander AI (May 2009). "The spectrum of ocular phenotypes caused by mutations in the BEST1 gene". *Progress in Retinal and Eye Research*. **28** (3): 187–205. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.preteyeres.2009.04.002](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.preteyeres.2009.04.002). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [19375515](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19375515). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [22339729](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:22339729).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-book_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-book_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-book_1-2) *[Nederland's Patriciaat](/source/Nederland's_Patriciaat)* (in Dutch). Vol. 81. The Hague: [Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie](/source/Centraal_Bureau_voor_Genealogie). 1999. pp. 166, 168, and 169. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [90-5802-005-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/90-5802-005-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** "Lederfabrikant Rudy Keunen overleden" [Leather producer Rudy Keunen passed away]. *[Eindhovens Dagblad](/source/Eindhovens_Dagblad)* (in Dutch). 14 November 1996. p. 17.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ek_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ek_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ek_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ek_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ek_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ek_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-ek_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-ek_3-7) ["Prof.dr. J.E.E. Keunen EBOD (VVD)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210127143617/https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/prof_dr_j_e_e_keunen_ebod_vvd_2). *[Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal](/source/Eerste_Kamer_der_Staten-Generaal)* (in Dutch). Archived from [the original](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/prof_dr_j_e_e_keunen_ebod_vvd_2) on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-radboud1_4-7) ["Jan Keunen"](https://www.radboudumc.nl/personen/jan-keunen). *[Radboudumc](/source/Radboudumc)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["In de voetsporen van illustere voorgangers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201117014743/https://www.ooglijdersgasthuis.nl/verhalen/) [In the footsteps of illustrious predecessors]. *Ooglijdersgasthuis* (in Dutch). Archived from [the original](https://www.ooglijdersgasthuis.nl/verhalen/) on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Bruinsma, Jet (7 July 2001). ["Een operatiefabriekje voor staarpatienten"](https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/een-operatiefabriekje-voor-staarpatienten~b8c5e45d/) [An operation factory for cataract patients]. *[De Volkskrant](/source/De_Volkskrant)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** "Velen onnodig blind of slechtziend" [Many unnecessarily blind or visually impaired]. *[De Gelderlander](/source/De_Gelderlander)* (in Dutch). 12 March 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Summary of the IAPB Europe activities between 2012-2021"](https://www.iapb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IAPB-Europe-2012-2021-v06.pdf) (PDF). *iapb.org*. [The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness](/source/The_International_Agency_for_the_Prevention_of_Blindness). Retrieved 18 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Jaarverslag 2005"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150325174601/https://www.lumc.nl/ove/att/80212012710221/71203053936221.pdf) [2005 Annual Report] (PDF) (in Dutch). [Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum](/source/Leids_Universitair_Medisch_Centrum). May 2006. p. 49. Archived from [the original](https://www.lumc.nl/ove/att/80212012710221/71203053936221.pdf) (PDF) on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ad_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ad_10-1) Kuitert, Jeroen (26 October 2020). ["Nijmeegse oud-prof oogheelkunde Jan Keunen in Eerste Kamer"](https://www.ad.nl/nijmegen/nijmeegse-oud-prof-oogheelkunde-jan-keunen-in-eerste-kamer~ae9a71fa/) [Retired ophthalmology professor from Nijmegen Jan Keunen in the Senate]. *[AD](/source/Algemeen_Dagblad)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-radboud2_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-radboud2_11-1) ["Prof. J.E.E. Keunen (Jan)"](https://www.ru.nl/english/people/keunen-j/). *[Radboud University](/source/Radboud_University)*. Retrieved 13 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** "Ultrasnelle laser voor afwijking netvlies" [Ultrafast laser for retina disorder]. *De Gelderlander* (in Dutch). 4 September 2008. p. 24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Prof.Dr. J.E.E. (Jan) Keunen"](https://www.parlement.com/id/vlcvb5ne64zx/j_e_e_jan_keunen). *Parlement.com* (in Dutch). Parlementair Documentatie Centrum. Retrieved 14 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ru_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ru_14-1) ["Afscheidscollege prof. dr. Jan Keunen, vrijdag 12 juni 2020 om 16.15 uur"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001443/https://www.ru.nl/over-ons/diensten-faciliteiten/vm/aula/virtuele-map/afscheidscollege-prof-dr-jan-keunen-vrijdag-12/) [Farewell lecture prof. dr. Jan Keunen, Friday 12 June 2020]. *Radboud Universiteit* (in Dutch). Archived from [the original](https://www.ru.nl/over-ons/diensten-faciliteiten/vm/aula/virtuele-map/afscheidscollege-prof-dr-jan-keunen-vrijdag-12/) on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-omroep_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-omroep_15-1) Van den Berg, Eva (4 June 2021). ["Oogprofessor Jan Keunen neemt afscheid van Radboudumc"](https://www.omroepgelderland.nl/nieuws/7117835/Oogprofessor-Jan-Keunen-neemt-afscheid-van-Radboudumc) [Ophthalmologist Jan Keunen says farewell to Radboudumc]. *[Omroep Gelderland](/source/Omroep_Gelderland)*. Retrieved 10 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** De Cort, Wilma (31 December 2015). "Oogarts verrukt over steun voor vuurwerkverbod" [Eye doctor delighted by support fireworks ban]. *De Gelderlander* (in Dutch). p. 2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Ruim kwart miljoen mensen steunen petities voor vuurwerkverbod"](https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6021702/ruim-kwart-miljoen-mensen-steunen-petities-voor-vuurwerkverbod.html) [Over 250,000 people support petitions calling for a ban on the sale of fireworks]. *[NU.nl](/source/NU.nl)* (in Dutch). 4 January 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Pruis, Anna (25 March 2015). ["Gevaarlijke illegale laserpennen gewoon te koop"](https://nos.nl/op3/artikel/2026746-gevaarlijke-illegale-laserpennen-gewoon-te-koop.html) [Dangerous illegal laser pens can just be bought]. *[NOS](/source/Nederlandse_Omroep_Stichting)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ad2_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ad2_19-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ad2_19-2) Klaassen, Niels (10 January 2020). ["Deze VVD'er strijdt al jaren voor vuurwerkverbod: 'Bijna hele gezicht van die man was weg'"](https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/deze-vvd-er-strijdt-al-jaren-voor-vuurwerkverbod-bijna-hele-gezicht-van-die-man-was-weg~a4f8316c/) [This VVD member has been fighting for a fireworks ban for years: 'Almost his entire face was gone']. *AD* (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["VVD Lokaal Netwerk Rijk van Nijmegen opgericht"](https://rijkvannijmegen.vvd.nl/nieuws/17672/vvd-lokaal-netwerk-rijk-van-nijmegen-opgericht) [VVD Local Network Rijk van Nijmegen founded]. *VVD Lokaal Netwerk Rijk van Nijmegen* (Press release) (in Dutch). 25 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Van der Laan, Ton (12 October 2020). ["Gedeputeerde Avine Fokkens bedankt voor VVD-lidmaatschap Eerste Kamer"](https://www.lc.nl/friesland/Gedeputeerde-Avine-Fokkens-bedankt-voor-VVD-lidmaatschap-Eerste-Kamer-26102561.html) [Deputy Avine Fokkers turns down VVD membership Senate]. *[Leeuwarder Courant](/source/Leeuwarder_Courant)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Proces-verbaal uitslag Eerste Kamerverkiezing 2023"](https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2023/6/1/proces-verbaal-uitslag-eerste-kamerverkiezing-2023) [Records of the results of the 2023 Senate election] (PDF). *Dutch Electoral Council* (in Dutch). 1 June 2023. pp. 14–17. Retrieved 19 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Van de Ven, Liam; Adelaar, Menno (7 February 2025). ["Bij de VVD komen de bezwaren tegen een vuurwerkverbod vooral vanuit de vuurwerkbranche zelf"](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/02/06/bij-de-vvd-komen-de-bezwaren-tegen-een-vuurwerkverbod-vooral-vanuit-de-vuurwerkbranche-zelf-a4882303) [Within the VVD, most objections to a consumer fireworks ban are from the fireworks industry itself]. *[NRC](/source/NRC_(newspaper))* (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Lidmaatschappen J.E.E. Keunen"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/commissies?lid=vld3i4d3yhq1) [Memberships J.E.E. Keunen]. *Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal* (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 November 2020.

v t e Members of the Senate of the Netherlands, 2019–2023 Senate 11 June 2019 – 13 June 2023 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD – 12) Jorritsma ‹Adriaansens› Arbouw Van Ballekom Van den Berg De Blécourt Bruijn (President) De Bruijn-Wezeman ‹Van der Burg› Geerdink Keunen Klip-Martin Meijer L. Vos ‹Wever› Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA – 9) Knapen Atsma Doornhof Essers Van Kesteren Oomen-Ruijten Prins Rietkerk Rombouts ‹Soeharno› GroenLinks (GL – 8) Rosenmöller De Boer Ganzevoort Van Gurp Karimi Kluit Krijnen Veldhoen ‹Vendrik› Democrats 66 (D66 – 7) Bredenoord Backer Dittrich ‹Van Huffelen› Moonen Pijlman Stienen Van der Voort Labour Party (PvdA – 6) M. Vos Crone Fiers Karakus Koole ‹Nooren› Recourt ‹Sent› Party for Freedom (PVV – 5) Faber Bezaan Van Hattem Van Kesteren Van Strien Socialist Party (SP – 4) Janssen Van Apeldoorn Gerkens Janssen Kox Christian Union (CU – 3) Huizinga ‹Bikker› ‹Ester› † Kennedy Talsma Verkerk Party for the Animals (PvdD – 3) Koffeman Nicolaï Prast ‹Teunissen› 50PLUS (50+ – 2) Van Rooijen Baay-Timmerman Reformed Political Party (SGP – 2) Schalk Van Dijk Forum for Democracy (FVD – 3) Dessing ‹Cliteur› Independent Senate Group (OSF – 1) Raven ‹Gerbrandy› Nanninga Group (Indep. – 7) Nanninga Berkhout Beukering Hermans Van der Linden Van Pareren ‹Pouw-Verweij› Van Wely Otten Group (Indep. – 2) Otten ‹Baljeu› ‹Rookmaker› De Vries Frentrop Group (Indep. – 2) Frentrop Hiddema Bold indicates the parliamentary leader (first mentioned) and the President; (Brackets) indicate a temporarily absent member; Italics indicate a temporary member; ‹Guillemets› indicate a member who has left the Senate See also: Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2017–2021 · 2021–2023

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jan Keunen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Keunen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Keunen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.