New laboratory will focus on early detection of eye diseases

Jena, Germany-Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and Ilmenau Technical University, Ilmenau, Germany, have opened a new ophthalmology laboratory at the university’s Institute for Biomedical Technology and Computer Science with the goal of improving the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and arterial/venous occlusion. The institute also will educate students learning about biomedical technology.

“This lab represents a high point in the successful collaboration between our company and the university,” said Ulrich Krauss, president and chief executive officer of Carl Zeiss Meditec. “It represents a continuation of our strategy to offer innovative device systems which incorporate the latest scientific and research findings to doctors.”

The German state of Thuringia Ministry of Education and Arts provided support for the laboratory’s research and development infrastructure. In addition to Carl Zeiss Meditec, partners in the laboratory’s research include the other institutes, companies, and universities that are members of the OphthalmoInnovation Thüringen e.V. group. Some of the institute’s projects are sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Germany.