Company History

From a supplier of superior specialty products to an innovative and customer-focused solution provider

In 2002, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, as it is known today, was created from the merger of the ZEISS Ophthalmology division with Asclepion-Meditec AG, a medical lasers specialist. On 22 July 2002, the Carl Zeiss Meditec AG shares were traded on the Neuer Markt for the first time, making it a publicly traded. Since then, the company has been striving to shape medical progress, efficiency and access to healthcare through innovative technology and support doctors to improve their patients’ quality of life. The Company does this by combining diagnostics technology with therapy and surgical solutions that optimize customers' workflows to more effectively diagnose and treat diseases. And thus, out of a ZEISS division steeped in optical legacy and a nascent start-up within that division emerged to what is now a world leader in ophthalmology and microsurgery: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.

The following page provides an overview of important milestones in the company's development.

Milestones of the Company History

1 of 27

1846

Carl Zeiss opens a workshop for precision mechanics and optics.
1866

Start of collaboration with Ernst Abbe on the production of lenses based on precise calculations.
1912

Founding of the department for medical optics and ophthalmology.
1991

Acquisition of Humphrey Instruments (now Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.), a major producer of ophthalmic diagnostic devices.
2002

Acquisition of Asclepion-Meditec AG (manufacturer of innovative refraction lasers) by the Ophthalmology division of Carl Zeiss AG, leading to the creation of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.
2002

With its entry in the commercial register, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is listed on the German stock exchange in July 2002.
2005

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group moves into the surgical ophthalmology market segment by acquiring IOLTECH S.A., a specialist in intraocular lenses.
2006

The merger of Carl Zeiss Surgical and Carl Zeiss Meditec creates a market leader in visualization solutions for surgical applications.
2007

The Carl Zeiss Meditec AG share is listed on the TecDAX of the German stock exchange.
2007

The Company strengthens its position in the field of intraocular lenses by acquiring Acri.Tec AG.
2011

Inauguration of the Center of Application and Research, CARIn, in Bangalore, India, and enhancement of the presence in this market that is vital to Carl Zeiss Meditec Group.
2011

Acquisition of the ophthalmology business of Spanish dealer IMEX and enhancement of sales activities on the Iberian peninsula.
2012

Inauguration of the Innovation Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, to strengthen the company’s presence there.
2014

Acquisition of long-standing partner Optronik AS to better serve Turkish market.
2014

Acquisition of US-based manufacturer of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Aaren Scientific broadens portfolio of intraocular lenses from Carl Zeiss Meditec Group in surgical ophthalmology.
2015

ZEISS Strengthens its Presence in the Arab World: Carl Zeiss Meditec Group opens a new office in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).
2016

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG consolidates its ophthalmology activities in a single Strategic Business Unit (SBU).
2016

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group started the collaboration with the Advanced Retina Imaging Network (ARIN) to enter into a new world of visualization of the eye´s anatomy with ZEISS PLEX® Elite.
2016

ZEISS celebrates 200 years.
2017

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group continues to advance digitalization of eye care with the acquisition of Veracity Innovations, LLC, a powerful, intuitive cloud-based platform for cataract surgery.
2018

The Christoffel Mission for the Blind (CBM) and Carl Zeiss Meditec Group expand successful collaboration in Paraguay: Dedicated training center for ophthalmologists inaugurated in Asunción.
2018

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire IanTECH to expand its portfolio in cataract surgery.
2018

The Carl Zeiss Meditec AG shares are listed on the TecDAX and MDAX of the German stock exchange.
2019

The Christoffel Mission for the Blind (CBM) and Carl Zeiss Meditec Group have – together with a local partner, the Poona Blind Men Association – opened a new training center for treating cataracts in Pune, India.
2022

2022 Carl Zeiss Meditec Group acquires two manufacturers of surgical instruments (Kogent Surgical, LLC and Katalyst Surgical, LLC) to further strengthen its positioning as a solution provider.
2022

With the acquisition of Preceyes B.V., Eindhoven (Netherlands), the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group strengthens its technological position as well as its product portfolio in the field of vitreoretinal surgery through robotic technologies.
2024

With the acquisition of the Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (DORC), the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group is strengthening its position in the field of vitreoretinal surgery. Together, the two companies are driving the development of leading-edge technology and surgical solutions for ophthalmology.

ZEISS History

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Company History

From a supplier of superior specialty products to an innovative and customer-focused solution provider

Milestones of the Company History

Carl Zeiss opens a workshop for precision mechanics and optics.

Start of collaboration with Ernst Abbe on the production of lenses based on precise calculations.

Founding of the department for medical optics and ophthalmology.

Acquisition of Humphrey Instruments (now Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.), a major producer of ophthalmic diagnostic devices.

Acquisition of Asclepion-Meditec AG (manufacturer of innovative refraction lasers) by the Ophthalmology division of Carl Zeiss AG, leading to the creation of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.

With its entry in the commercial register, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is listed on the German stock exchange in July 2002.

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group moves into the surgical ophthalmology market segment by acquiring IOLTECH S.A., a specialist in intraocular lenses.

The merger of Carl Zeiss Surgical and Carl Zeiss Meditec creates a market leader in visualization solutions for surgical applications.

The Carl Zeiss Meditec AG share is listed on the TecDAX of the German stock exchange.

The Company strengthens its position in the field of intraocular lenses by acquiring Acri.Tec AG.

Inauguration of the Center of Application and Research, CARIn, in Bangalore, India, and enhancement of the presence in this market that is vital to Carl Zeiss Meditec Group.

Acquisition of the ophthalmology business of Spanish dealer IMEX and enhancement of sales activities on the Iberian peninsula.

Inauguration of the Innovation Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, to strengthen the company’s presence there.

Acquisition of long-standing partner Optronik AS to better serve Turkish market.

Acquisition of US-based manufacturer of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Aaren Scientific broadens portfolio of intraocular lenses from Carl Zeiss Meditec Group in surgical ophthalmology.

ZEISS Strengthens its Presence in the Arab World: Carl Zeiss Meditec Group opens a new office in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG consolidates its ophthalmology activities in a single Strategic Business Unit (SBU).

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group started the collaboration with the Advanced Retina Imaging Network (ARIN) to enter into a new world of visualization of the eye´s anatomy with ZEISS PLEX® Elite.

ZEISS celebrates 200 years.

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group continues to advance digitalization of eye care with the acquisition of Veracity Innovations, LLC, a powerful, intuitive cloud-based platform for cataract surgery.

The Christoffel Mission for the Blind (CBM) and Carl Zeiss Meditec Group expand successful collaboration in Paraguay: Dedicated training center for ophthalmologists inaugurated in Asunción.

Carl Zeiss Meditec Group announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire IanTECH to expand its portfolio in cataract surgery.

The Carl Zeiss Meditec AG shares are listed on the TecDAX and MDAX of the German stock exchange.

The Christoffel Mission for the Blind (CBM) and Carl Zeiss Meditec Group have – together with a local partner, the Poona Blind Men Association – opened a new training center for treating cataracts in Pune, India.

2022 Carl Zeiss Meditec Group acquires two manufacturers of surgical instruments (Kogent Surgical, LLC and Katalyst Surgical, LLC) to further strengthen its positioning as a solution provider.

With the acquisition of Preceyes B.V., Eindhoven (Netherlands), the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group strengthens its technological position as well as its product portfolio in the field of vitreoretinal surgery through robotic technologies.

With the acquisition of the Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (DORC), the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group is strengthening its position in the field of vitreoretinal surgery. Together, the two companies are driving the development of leading-edge technology and surgical solutions for ophthalmology.

ZEISS History