Company History & International Ophthalmology

 

 

1948

Company founded by Kurt A. Morcher
Manufacture of contact lenses.


1949

First implantation of an artificial intraocular lens - “IOL” 
by the London ophthalmologist Sir Harold Ridley.

During the second World War, Ridley treated the eyes of pilots, who suffered injuries from the splinters from the Plexiglas windshield of the cockpit. He noticed, that these splinters behaved relatively inert.


1955

Development of the first Dannheim lens
In collaboration with Dr. H. Dannheim, Morcher developed the first anterior chamber IOL. The optics were made out of plexiglass and the haptics of fibres from rat tails.

 


1958

Development of the first Binkhorst lens
In collaboration with Dr. C. D. Binkhorst, Morcher developed the Iris-Clip-Lens. This marked the beginning of micro-surgery with intraocular lens implantation.


1961

Move the company to Daimlerstraße in Stuttgart.


1968

Move the company to Ebitzweg in Stuttgart.


1970

First three-piece posterior chamber IOL with UV protection
MORCHER® introduces this three-piece IOL on the market.


1975

Development of the first capsular bag IOL
by Dr. Taylor.



1981

Introduction of the gamma sterilization
as a patented method for increasing the sterilization safety and improvement of material properties.

 


1984

Move to todays‘ corporate headquarters 
in Kapuzinerweg in Stuttgart.


First One-Piece IOL


1989

Olaf Kurt Morcher becomes successor in CEO.

1989

Diffraktive IOL


1990

Development of the first Aniridia-IOL
MORCHER® developed this IOL with Iris-diaphragm together with Prof. Sundmacher, for the intraocular correction of congenital and acquired aniridia.

First pseudo-accomodating IOL
Dr. Payer developed the first lens with a zoom effect to gain pseudo-accommodation.


1991

Capsular Tension Ring
PMMA Capsular Tension Rings to stabilize the capsule.

 


1994

CE Certification
As one of the first manufacturers of intraocular implants,
MORCHER® meets the new European standards.

 


Pupil Dilator

The Pupil Dilator is an accessory, which is used in patients with constricted pupils.


1996

First capsular edge ring according to Nishi/Menapace
Through the „Sharp Edge Design” of the ring, a significant posterior capsule opacification can be inhibited.


1997

BioComFold implant
Foldable hydrophilic lens with high biocompatibility.

 


1998

„Bag-In-the-Lens“ according to Prof. Dr. Tassignon
The BIL was initially designed and patented as „intraocular lens and method for preventing secondary opacification“.


2003

FDA approval 
MORCHER® capsular tension rings are approved in the U.S. market. 

 

LOTUS Material
Foldable hydrophobic IOLs.