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20.07.2017

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The Institute for Ophthalmic Research visits ZEISS

40 members of the Institute of Ophthalmic Research started at July 14th, 2017 an excursion to visit the premises of ZEISS in Oberkochen

Since the foundation of a small optical workshop for microscopes in the year 1846 by Carl Zeiss and later Ernst Abbe ZEISS has grown to a globally operating enterprise providing a broad variety of optical products: surgical microscopes, semiconductor manufacturing optics, photo lenses, binoculars, ophthalmic devices and more.

“Wow! Highly impressive! Thanks to the organizers.
I am grateful to had the chance for this thrilling tour.”

Some of those devices significantly go hand in hand with success in ophthalmology. Ophthalmic diagnostic devices like the legendary Humphrey and groundbreaking OCT as well as surgical systems preserve vision and enable cure in ophthalmic diseases, helping patients in eye health centers all around the world.

“Thanks for a great impression of company ZEISS. It was very well organized and the factory tour informative and exciting. To meet the "insiders" was very important and to exchange ideas and knowledge. I will come back for sure! My best wishes and greetings to all employees which were involved to make our day so brilliant!”

Dr. Timo Mappes, the Senior Vice President Innovation of the Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH welcomed the delegation of the Institute of Ophthalmology on the “Eastern Alb”. He gave a short overview of the four business segments forming the ZEISS group: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Research & Quality Technology, Medical Technology and Vision Care / Consumer Products.

“A very impressive demonstration of modern X-ray and scanning electron microscopes by highly motivated and experienced staff. Thank you very much for this demonstration! The staff members were very well trained in highlighting the underlying principles of the microscopes not only in few sentences but also in way that the non-experienced visitors got their chance to understand the idea behind it.”

Afterwards a guided tour through the ZEISS “Museum of optics” took place and was much appreciated by the curious visitors. The exhibition took us from the present into the past: from state-of-the-art high-tech medical instruments to the photo shot by Neil Armstrong with a ZEISS camera during the first moon landing to one of Napoleon’s sets of binoculars. A group photo made this first section of our visit round.

After lunch, we went to the newly build south campus, containing the microsurgical business unit of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH. In guided tours, we were introduced to the newest developments in the areas of microscopy as well as surgical microscopy and ophthalmic diagnosis.

“A well organized, efficient outing to Zeiss, yet relaxed at the same time. It was very interesting to see this highly modern, very shiny complex buzzing with activity, lots of talented young people (though long-standing employees too), a mini-town in its own right – yet situated in the midst of the Ostalb countryside. It was useful to have the visitor guides from Zeiss, leading us to the parts, which would be the most relevant for us, because if we had been left alone, it would have been difficult to know where to start – one would need days to see it all!
Some of the highlights for me were the historical spectacles and instruments in the Museum of Optics, and actually seeing them in use on the medieval paintings in the background, the technological wonders in the Medical Solutions Center, and having highly advanced microscopes explained and demonstrated in a way which I could mostly understand. I was impressed at how much time the various Zeiss employees spent with us, how we were given an insight into quite a few different aspects of the company, and of course the drinks, coffee and excellent lunch in the canteen. Thanks again for organizing this outing, it was really super.”

Impressions