ZEISS Expert Talk 2025
Innovations with a customer focus are the driver and key to the long-term and sustainable economic success of the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group. In the ZEISS Expert Talk with Indian ophthalmologist Dr. Rupal Shah and Korean ophthalmologist Dr. Eui-Sang Chung, Sebastian Frericks, Head of Group Finance & Investor Relations at Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, talk about ZEISS technologies that have revolutionized refractive surgery.
Sebastian Frericks: This year, our ZEISS SMILE technology has garnered significant attention. Our development team is recipient of Leibinger Innovation Prize 2025 and were accepted into the Circle of Excellence of Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2025. These awards recognize the groundbreaking work of our team. However, the success of our ZEISS SMILE technology is only possible through close collaboration with doctors like you. Dr. Shah, you were heavily involved in the initial clinical studies, and Dr. Chung, you were the first to perform ZEISS SMILE in South Korea. How has ZEISS SMILE changed your clinical practice?
Dr. Rupal Shah: My refractive journey began in 1994 with surface ablation known as PRK – a safe but painful procedure. LASIK brought a quick wow effect and minimal pain, which patients loved, but flap-related issues were a concern. Femto-LASIK improved safety but still involved a flap. Minimal-invasive lenticule extraction with SMILE technology from ZEISS offers the best of both worlds – combining the safety of PRK without pain and the wow effect of LASIK without a flap.
Dr. Eui-Sang Chung: After 15 years as a university professor at Samsung Medical Center, I founded SNU EYE CLINIC in 2017, specializing in cataract and refractive surgery, particularly in lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE. We’ve grown significantly, performing around 10,000 procedures with SMILE in 2024 alone. SNU EYE CLINIC is one of the leading centers for refractive surgery in South Korea. In this competitive market, the advanced SMILE technology from ZEISS has been the key to our success. I didn’t expect the big success of ZEISS SMILE in such a very short period. I was the first surgeon to perform a surgery with ZEISS SMILE in Korea, starting clinical evaluations in 2011 after visiting Dr. Shah's clinic, which boosted my confidence in the results. Despite initial skepticism from many refractive surgeons, we consistently performed the procedure.
Dr. Rupal Shah: The predictability and safety of modern procedures allow promises that were previously impossible. Today, with ZEISS SMILE, I approach surgeries confidently, knowing patients usually leave satisfied, making our work much less stressful.
“The predictability and safety of modern procedures allow promises that were previously impossible. Today, with ZEISS SMILE, I approach surgeries confidently, knowing patients usually leave satisfied, making our work much less stressful.”
Sebastian Frericks: It's remarkable how this technology has become mainstream, offering a successful treatment alternative, reducing stress, and providing excellent patient outcomes.* Looking to the future, which innovations will be crucial for refractive surgery?
Dr. Rupal Shah: I believe there’s a gap in treating high myopes. While we have implantable contact lenses (ICLs) and intraocular lenses, more solutions are needed. Additionally, corneal diagnostics need improvement. Even with the best efforts, cases of ectasia can still occur. We need solutions that can assess not only the structure but also the corneal strength in vivo to ensure safety and stability over time. Although ZEISS SMILE shows promise for hyperopia, it is not yet applicable for presbyopia.
Dr. Eui-Sang Chung: With ZEISS SMILE, we have evolved beyond LASIK. Since there is no flap, the post-operative dry eye syndrome is minimized. ZEISS PRESBYOND, which is based on the LASIK method, offers good functionality, but dry eye remains an issue. Ideally, presbyopia surgery using ZEISS SMILE would be beneficial.
Sebastian Frericks: Refractive surgery is a growth market. Dr. Chung, do you see this trend continuing in Korea?
Dr. Eui-Sang Chung: The economic situation in Korea isn’t as strong as it was ten years ago. However, this has not affected the volume of refractive procedures. However, in the future, the declining birth rate, which is the lowest in the world, could affect the number of patients.
Sebastian Frericks: How much do demographic data influence your business in India, Dr. Shah?
Dr. Rupal Shah: Most of the Indian population is in the prime of their lives – a generation of people striving to build their careers, get married, and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle. They often seek ways to eliminate restrictions, such as wearing glasses. In India, the situation is more complex due to the price-sensitive market. Many centers, including ours, must offer a range of price levels to attract customers. I do notice a shift in the younger population, who are more willing to invest in premium technologies – unlike the older generation, which focused on saving money. The younger generation values advanced technology, which is why clinics in major cities specialize in minimally invasive lenticule extraction.
Sebastian Frericks: Do you think ZEISS is doing a good job of being customer-centric, or do we need to improve?
Dr. Rupal Shah: ZEISS is brand that inspires confidence. I have been a customer since 1994, and ZEISS has been compliant and supportive. Customers are pleased with the technology, robust equipment, and technical support. However, increasing visibility among the general population is essential. ZEISS has been somewhat reserved in consumer marketing.
Sebastian Frericks: The question is whether, if allowed by regulations, we should also engage in direct patient communication. What would you, as customers, wish for?
Dr. Rupal Shah: Promotion should involve influencer and direct outreach. Once people are aware of a procedure, they research its availability and choose the provider they find most suitable.
Dr. Eui-Sang Chung: In the past, there was competition between the LASIK procedures and minimally invasive lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE. Now, the focus is on competition among providers for lenticule extraction. In my opinion, ZEISS SMILE is on its way to becoming the gold standard for refractive surgery, but the competition is intense.
Sebastian Frericks: How can ZEISS leverage its brand recognition to enhance public awareness of its advanced ophthalmology technologies?
Dr. Eui-Sang Chung: Public relations with visibility are crucial. ZEISS is well-known in Korea. At the age of ten, I had to wear glasses and became familiar with ZEISS lenses. As a university student interested in photography, I encountered ZEISS lenses. Make it public that ZEISS also offers excellent technologies in ophthalmology.
Dr. Rupal Shah: We need to embrace the digital wave to connect with the younger audience and increase our presence across digital platforms. ZEISS should take a key role and emphasize that SMILE is a trusted technology from ZEISS.
Sebastian Frericks: Please allow me to ask a personal question at the end of our conversation: Do you have an example that illustrates the impact of ZEISS SMILE not only on your work but also on the quality of life of your patients?
Dr. Eui-Sang Chung: During my time as a professor at Samsung Medical Center, I treated a one-month-old girl for an eye condition. Nearly 20 years later, she returned to our clinic as a university student for vision correction surgery. Meeting her again for a surgery with ZEISS SMILE was a profoundly moving and unforgettable moment for me.
Dr. Rupal Shah: I performed a treatment with ZEISS SMILE on a prominent producer which brought a smile to his face. Now I have a lifelong friend, and who knows, maybe I'll be seen in a Bollywood film. I could share stories like this every day, because every day I experience a new one that puts a SMILE on my face.
Sebastian Frericks: Thank you for sharing these personal stories. They demonstrate your confidence in our technology. The fact that doctors can use our ZEISS technologies to preserve people's vision and thus their quality of life motivates us to continually push the boundaries of what is possible.
* Data on file.
“Our clinic is one of the leading centers for refractive surgery in South Korea. In this competitive market, the advanced SMILE technology from ZEISS has been the key to our success.”