Founded in 1997 as a “one-man show”, 1stQ is today one of the last owner-managed marketer of intraocular lenses standing for highest quality and functionality in cataract surgery.
Many things have happened since that time. Yet, one fact has remained constant: an absolute dedication to innovative development and continual improvement of products and processes for the benefit of patients suffering from cataract.
Rüdiger Dworschak, a graduate engineer, is founding the Rüdiger Dworschak GbR (a BGB partnership organised under the German Civil Code) in the basement of his private home, as a one-man organisation to develop and market medical products for ophthalmic use.
Rüdiger Dworschak develops the first generation of the AddOn® IOL
with Human Optics Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, changing the company name into Human Optics
Membership in Berufsverband Medizintechnologie (www.bvmed.de), a business association of medical technology companies. The business activity of 1stQ is focused on the segment of ophthalmic surgery, and 1stQ becomes one of the initiators and founders of the German nationwide campaign „Initiative Grauer Star“ (www.initiativegrauerstar.de), meaning „Cataract Initiative“.
Termination of the partnership with Human Optics
Introduction of a new generation of acrylic lenses
for expansion into international marketing, beginning to establish a worldwide network of experts and distributors
Changing the company name into 1stQ Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
1stQ is granted the Certification of Conformity with ISO Standards as manufacturer of intraocular lenses
Setting up an own warehouse facility for storage and deliveries from the Mannheim location
1stQ shows up as first-time exhibitor at both, the DGII (www.dgii.org) and
the DOC (www.doc-nuernberg.de) conventions
Relocation to the present company headquarters at the Mannheim Eastsite
Introduction of hydrophilic & hydrophobic IOLs, irrespective of the design
First international presentation of 1stQ as exhibitor at the ESCRS (www.escrs.org) convention
Special sulcus design of the AddOn® IOL is patented.
1stQ demonstrates social responsibility and commitment by supporting the British ophthalmologist Dr. Helen Roberts and her team at Kwale District Eye Centers and Taita Eye Clinic (Kenya) with know-how and donations in kind (www.eyesforeastafrica.org).
Acquisition of Technoko Medizinprodukte GmbH
Increasing focus on function-related explanation, diagnostics and therapy for the treatment of cataract. Aiming at Optimal, Natural Vision (ONV) after cataract surgery based on the proprietary Qfunctional IOL system!
Preloaded & non-preloaded IOLs, irrespective of design and material
Qprogressive – multifocal IOL from 1stQ
Strategic partnership with Austrian Center for Medical Innovation and Technology, ACMIT (www.acmit.at) in the area of research & development.
launch of Macula Lens AddOn® SML (Scharioth Macula Lens).
The accolade on the JRCS cover follows shortly after.
Breakthrough in Asia. 1stQ is granted the AddOn® sulcus design patent and approval for the Chinese market.
Independent and owner-managed full-range supplier in the segment of cataract surgery, with head office in Mannheim/Germany, comprising 30 staff members, and operating on a worldwide scale under „German Engineering“ as seal of quality.
The dual-lens system consisting of Basis and AddOn IOL re-defines Trifocality! (www.1stq.de/liberty2)