Social Engagement

Since 2015, ZEISS has teamed up with non-governmental organizations, foundations and small local businesses to deliver basic eye care to remote parts of rural India. Thanks to these partnerships, user-friendly digital platforms and an optimized supply chain, the Aloka Vision Program has made it possible to perform several thousand eye exams a month and supply glasses or eye care to patients as needed. In addition to setting up a basic infrastructure, it is essential to train small business owners and educate the population. After all, eyeglasses for the correction of defective vision are still often considered a luxury or even unnecessary.

People with albinism not only have less melanin in their skin, but also often suffer from visual impairment, limited spatial vision and are near- or far-sighted. This prompted ZEISS to partner with the Ruta de la Luz Foundation to improve eye care for children with albinism in Kabanga (Tanzania). For two years, optometrists have been examining these children free of charge and providing them with eyeglasses to improve their vision and completely protect their eyes against harmful UV radiation. Around 650 eye exams have already been performed, and glasses with special filters supplied for light-sensitive eyes.

In emerging countries, people often lack access to adequate medical care. One example is cataracts, which can be treated but affect around one-third of blind people worldwide. That is why in remote regions in particular, the training and continuing education of ophthalmologists and medical personnel are a key aspect of the fight against preventable blindness. Together with the Christoffel Blind Mission (CBM) and a local partner, the Poona Blind Men's Association, ZEISS opened a new training center for treating cataracts in Pune, India, in 2019. The center's mission is to train ophthalmologists and medical personnel throughout the country in phacoemulsification, a modern surgical technique. Twenty doctors were already trained in the new training center in 2019. ZEISS and the Development Service for German Eyecare Professionals (Entwicklungsdienst Deutscher Augenoptiker, EDA) have also opened a training center in Kyamulibwa (Uganda). Eight local experts have been successfully trained there since August 2019.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the ZEISS Medical Technology segment has worked on solutions that shield medical personnel against infections. The ZEISS NURA video laryngoscope, for example, enables healthcare workers to maintain a greater distance between themselves and patients, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

ZEISS sponsors BirdLife International's scientific work on the Red List of Birds. The partnership among multiple bird conservation organizations with a total of 13 million members uses the list to record all endangered bird species, including their conservation status. The figures are reported to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and used as the basis for effective conservation efforts.

Since 2015, ZEISS has supported the Rhino Conservation Awards, which were also presented in four categories on World Ranger Day in 2020. The focus was originally on the conservation of endangered species and not just on protecting rhinos. The awards have been presented annually in South Africa since 2012 and aim to raise awareness for conservation. They honor those who actively campaign for the conservation of endangered animal species. The winners in 2020 include Samuel Loware from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Don English from the South African National Parks. Mr. Loware has used effective surveillance and data capture to ensure that the giraffe and lion populations in Kidepo Valley National Park grow and Mr. English plays a leading role in the fight against rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park.