Highlights and history

Milestones in a success story

1stQ in figures

360°

Our services

holistically and from a single source.

100 %

Our vision

Predictable lens replacement.

20/20

Our claim

the best possible vision as a goal

Small beginnings, big vision: a tireless drive for innovation and the idea of making lens replacement 100% predictable have turned a one-man business into one of the most forward-looking manufacturers and developers of lens surgery solutions. The 1stQ history is characterized by courageous decisions as well as the willingness to constantly question the status quo. Today, 1stQ stands for an exceptional global IOL portfolio and for people who are constantly looking not just for better solutions, but for the best solutions. The trust of our customers, long-standing partnerships and our successes, which despite our modesty cannot be denied, prove us right.

“Achieving more together”

We are particularly proud of the fact that our medical products are setting new trends worldwide. Innovative surgeons in clinics and specialized eye centers place their trust in us and work together with us on new solutions to achieve a common goal: to help people achieve the best possible individual vision after lens replacement! That is our drive, ambition and aspiration.

Graduate engineer Rüdiger Dworschak
Founder and managing partner

Milestones that are worth seeing

A lot has happened at 1stQ in a comparatively short space of time. This is due not least to our unrelenting drive for innovation and pioneering spirit.

Starting signal for company foundation

1997

Graduate engineer Rüdiger Dworschak founds Rüdiger Dworschak GbR in the basement of his home as a one-man business for the development and sale of ophthalmologic medical products.

First generation AddOn^® sulcus IOL

1998

Foundation of 1stQ GmbH and entry into international business

2008

ISO certification as an IOL manufacturer and change of name to 1stQ Germany

2009

New name, same philosophy: With our typical pioneering spirit, we are opening up new business horizons while remaining true to our successful formula of doing things a little differently and significantly better.

Second generation AddOn^® IOL

2010

Patented sulcus design for sulcus fit with 4 flexible haptics.

Own multifocal IOL

2013

With the first multifocal progressive intraocular lens from 1stQ, we are taking an important step towards a highly functional IOL portfolio.

Liberty² the dual lens system

2019

Relocation to energy self-sufficient company building

2020

Sustainable single-use instruments

2021

Base Z EDOF with wavefront linking technology

2022

World first IOL experience with RALV*

2023

1stQ makes it possible for the first time in the history of ophthalmology to experience vision through a real IOL before surgery. (*RALV is a product of DEZIMAL GmbH)