Kieler Förde

2025

Product launch of the multifocal monthly lens made of Vitafilcon A.

2024

Hiroko Aikawa takes over the management of Wöhlk Contactlinsen GmbH.

Wöhlk receives the MDR certificate.

Product launch of CONTACT INDIVIDUAL MULTI FEN®

2023

Product launch of the orthokeratology contact lens wöhlk OKE

Wöhlk becomes a member of the SEED Group and a subsidiary of SEED Co, Ltd.

2021

Product launch of the orthokeratology contact lens wöhlk OKE

Wöhlk becomes a member of the SEED Group and a subsidiary of SEED Co, Ltd.

2020

Lothar Haase retires and Dr. Dirk Lauscher takes over the management of Wöhlk Contactlinsen GmbH.

2019

Wöhlk forms a capital alliance with the Japanese contact lens manufacturer SEED Co., Ltd. and expands its portfolio to include various daily disposable lenses.

2017

Introduction of the High DK material A120

4th cylinder area at CONTACT LIFE

2016

Development of centered optics for multifocal lenses

Introduction of the Wöhlk fitting program

Sales launch of daily disposable lenses as: spheric, toric, multifocal

2015

Installation of the automatic conversion kit machine

2014

Modernization and automation of individual soft lens production

Development of CONTACT INDIVIDUAL MULTI

2013

Introduction of Optocraft measurement technology

2012

Plasma treatment RGP

Further development of CONTACT AIR toric

Ultrasound measurement for soft lenses

2011

Development of CONTACT AIR

Introduction of the EGO contact lenses brand

 

2010

Modernization of the individual production of RGP lenses

2009

Introduction of the CONTACT brand

2008

Launch of the CONTACT INDIVIDUAL product range

2007

Foundation of Wöhlk-Contact-Linsen-Vertriebs GmbH in Irdning, Austria

2006

Opening of the Wöhlk Academy in Schönkirchen

2005

Wöhlk leaves the company Bausch & Lomb and is now again an independent, North German company under the leadership of Managing Director Lothar Haase.

2001

Expansion of the mould production plant and start of production of spherical lenses at the Schönkirchen site.

2000

Start of production of the toric monthly replacement lenses in Schönkirchen at one of the most modern production facilities for planned replacement lenses in Europe (and the only one in Germany). Integration of the company Wöhlk-Contact-Linsen into the American optics company Bausch & Lomb

1991

Heinrich Wöhlk dies at the age of 78

1990

Wöhlk-Contact-Linsen becomes a 100% ZEISS subsidiary

1981-95

Development of the entire conventional contact lens range

1980

Signing of the first cooperation agreement with Carl Zeiss

1978

Heinrich Wöhlk receives the Federal Cross of Merit

1977

Introduction of the first hard-flexible Wöhlk contact lens "Hartflex" and the silicone lens "Silflex"

1971/72

Development and introduction of the first soft Wöhlk contact lenses

1970-71

The company moves to Schönkirchen

1961-66

Production is increased significantly

1958

The development of today's "Parabolar" is finished

1951

Wöhlk begins to supply opticians in major German cities

1949

Opening of a store in the centre of Kiel

1947/48

Wöhlk founds the company "Heinrich Wöhlk, Gewerbe zur Herstellung unsichtbarer Haftgläser" (industry for producing invisible adhesive glasses)

1947

Wöhlk tests the edge-treated corneal lens separated from the scleral lens directly on his own eye. It works!

1946

Shortly after the end of World War II, Heinrich Wöhlk develops scleral lenses with an interchangeable lens

1940

The inventor Heinrich Wöhlk wears the first self-manufactured scleral lens. The wearing comfort is significantly higher compared to silicate glass

1936

Heinrich Wöhlk, himself +8,0 dpt. long-sighted, is tired of having to wear heavy eyeglass lenses. Professor Heine from Kiel Eye Clinic gives him scleral lenses made of silicate glass from Carl Zeiss. However, the wearing comfort left much to be desired...