History

History

With our dream “Invisible to Visible”, we are providing various products to all over the world. Here is our corporate history, specializing in eye and optics, since our establishment.

1971
Jul.
Company established.
1972
May.
Started developing the “XC-550A” the first Xenon Photocoagulator in Japan, and entered the industry of ophthalmic devices.
キセノン光凝固装置XC-550Aの画像
1974
Jun.
Started production of multi layers coating.
1976
Mar.
Completed construction of Hiroishi plant.
拾石工場の画像
1978
May.
Exhibited the “AC-3500” the first Argon Laser Photocoagulator produced in Japan at the International Congress of Ophthalmology.
AC-3500 image
1979
Apr.
Established NIDEK SALES CO., LTD. as an independent sales organization in Japan.
1980
Jan.
Launched the “AR-2000” the first made-in-Japan Auto Refractometer.
オートレフラクトメータAR-2000の画像
1982
Dec.
Established NIDEK INC. (USA).
1984
Oct.
Completed construction of Hamacho plant.
オートレフラクトメータAR-2000の画像
1985
Jun.
Launched the “NP-11H” Intraocular Lens.
NP-11H image
1988
Apr.
Established NIDEK S.A. (FRANCE).
Nov.
Established NIDEK Technologies Inc. (USA).
1989
Feb.
Established the Tokyo Office (International Division).
Sept.
Introduced the “LE-8000” Patternless Edger.
オートレフラクトメータAR-2000の画像
Nov.
Completed construction of Tsurugahama plant.
オートレフラクトメータAR-2000の画像
1992
Jun.
Completed the “EC-5000” the first Excimer Laser Corneal Surgery System.
オートレフラクトメータAR-2000の画像
1996
Sept.
Announced the new business domain “Eye and Health Care” at the 25th anniversary.
Oct.
Completed construction of Higashihama plant.
オートレフラクトメータAR-2000の画像
1997
May
Received ISO 9001 certification.
1998
Dec.
Acquired Fortune Technologies (ITALY).
2000
Jul.
Completed construction of Osawa plant.
大沢工場の画像
Dec.
Received ISO 14001 certification.
2001
Apr.
Established NIDEK TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L. (ITALY).
Supported the establishment of a high school in Nepal.
Aug.
Established NIDEK Vision Institute to develop Visual Prosthesis.
2004
Apr.
Merged NIDEK SALES CO., LTD. into NIDEK CO., LTD.
May
Hideo Ozawa, Founder & President of NIDEK received prestigious “Order of the Rising Sun” award from Japanese government and emperor of Japan.
2005
Jul.
Exhibited a prototype Visual Prosthesis at the NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) pavilion, EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN.
2006
Apr.
Merged NIDEK INC. (USA) and NIDEK TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA INC. (USA).
Dec.
Established Beijing Representative Office.
2007
Nov.
Opened a representative office at the Dubai Airport Free Zone (Free Trade Zone) in the UAE.
2008
Jun.
Hideo Ozawa, the founder of NIDEK, was appointed Chairman of the Board and Motoki Ozawa was appointed President and CEO.
Dec.
Completed construction of the second building on Hamacho plant.
2009
Jun.
Hideo Ozawa, the founder of NIDEK, passed away (79 years old).
Jul.
Introduced the “RS-3000”, Advanced OCT / SLO System.
Oct.
Started the internet retailing that deals with the coating products for the end-consumer.
2010
Jun.
Established a representative office in Shanghai.
Sept.
Established NIDEK DO BRASIL (BRAZIL).
Nov.
Exhibited the Acrylic IOL Pre-Loaded System “NZ-1” at the APEC JAPAN 2010 “JAPAN EXPERIENCE” as one of the Japanese government’s displays.
2011
Apr.
The Auto Lensmeter “LM-1800PD / 1800P” won the “red dot design award 2011”.
Aug.
Launched “eye will” eye care supplement.
2012
Jan.
Launched the “CEM-530 PARACENTRAL™” corneal endothelial cell imaging device.
Mar.
The Optical Biometer “AL-Scan” won the Red Dot Design Award 2012.
Jul.
Established NIDEK (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD. (CHINA).
Nov.
Our research was selected as NEDO public offering for the FY2012 “Development and Demonstration Project for New Social Systems through IT Integration”.
2013
Jul.
Completed construction of the seventh building on Hiroishi plant.
Oct.
Launched the “VersaCam™” Digital Medical Scope.
Auto refractometer “ARK-1s” receives Silmo d`Or (Silmo gold prize).
2014
Jun.
Multifunction Edger “Me 1200” won the “Ponts d’argent”.
Oct.
Established NIDEK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. (SINGAPORE).
Nov.
Edging Station “LE-700” won “MTG GOLD Medal”.
Dec.
Edging Station “LE-700” won “Vision-X Award”.
2015
Dec.
Multifunction Edger “Me-1200” and Intelligent Blocker “ICE-1200” won “Vision-X Award”.
2017
Oct.
Tabletop Refraction System “TS-310” receives Silmo d`Or (Silmo gold prize).
Supported the reconstruction of a Nepal school.
2018
Mar.
Established NIDEK KOREA CO., LTD. (KOREA).
Apr.
Tabletop Refraction System “TS-310” and Auto Lensmeter “LM-7P” won the Red Dot Design Award 2018.
Nov.
Established NIDEK MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS(CHANGSHU) CO., LTD. (CHINA).
Dec.
Selected as “The Driving Company for the regional future 2018” by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
2019
Apr.
Launched fully-automatic measurement model “ARK-F/AR-F” Auto Ref/Keratometer / Auto Refractometer.
Jul.
Launched the “Mirante” Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope.
2020
Jul.
Launched Japan’s first regenerative medicine products in the ophthalmology field the “NEPIC®” autologous cultured corneal epithelium.
2021
Apr.
Created a corporate symbol and renewed our logo to mark a milestone of 50 years.
Aug.
Marked 50th anniversary in August 8.
Dec.
Launched Japan’s second regenerative medicine products in the ophthalmology field the “Ocural®” autologous cultured oral mucosal epithelium.
2022
Jul.
NIDEK TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L. (subsidiary of NIDEK CO. LTD.) acquires NIDEK MEDICAL S.R.L.
2023
Apr.
Received the 2023 Intellectual Property Achievement Award “Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office Award”.
Nov.
“TS-610” and “Fully Assisted Refraction System for the TS-610” won “MTG GOLD Medal”.
2024
Jan.
Partnered with Orbis International to expand AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based eye screening in Vietnam.
Feb.
Launched the intraocular lens series including lenses for astigmatism the “NP-T/NP-1/NP-1C”, NexRoad NP Series.
Oct.
Launched the “AutoTint” Automated Dry Laser Tinting System.