What Oertli does

Oertli Instrumente AG is a Swiss family-owned medical device company founded in 1955 and headquartered in Berneck, Switzerland, operating exclusively from a Rhine Valley production base. The company manufactures surgical platforms, instruments, and consumables for ophthalmic surgery, specifically targeting cataract, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal procedures. Its product portfolio centers on three flagship surgical platforms — OS 4 Up (all-in-one cataract and vitreoretinal platform with the proprietary three-pump system), Faros (compact anterior segment platform with FDA 510(k) clearance), and CataRhex 3 (portable cataract platform weighing ~5 kg) — and a set of proprietary technologies including easyPhaco phacoemulsification, SPEEP pump technology, HFDS (High Frequency Deep Sclerotomy) for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, and HF Capsulotomy. Supporting instruments include the Caliburn Trocar System, Continuous Flow Cutter, ViPer illuminated scleral indentor, Flexible Chandelier, and 27G instrument sets, complemented by sterile consumables produced in an in-house clean room.

The company operates a hybrid distribution model combining five wholly-owned subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, South Africa, and the USA with a network of over 60 independent distribution partners covering international markets. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of capital surgical platforms, recurring consumables produced in-house, and professional service and support contracts; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Marketing is heavily event-driven, anchored by participation in major international ophthalmology congresses (AAO, ESCRS, Euretina, WOC, EVRS, Floretina) and Key Opinion Leader engagement programs. The company is led by Co-CEOs Christoph and Thomas Bosshard, employs approximately 300–350 people, and has invested roughly 30 million CHF in the new Lean Factory facility in Berneck that became fully operational in 2024.

Recent strategic activity has centered on international expansion (FDA 510(k) clearance for Faros in July 2024 enabling US market entry), product platform renewal (OS 4 Up launched September 2025 with Caliburn Trocar System and Continuous Flow Cutter), R&D capability buildout (Oertli Bio Lab opened February 2024, Oertli Ophtha Lab partnership with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences launched 2023), and DACH region consolidation through the rebranding of acquired subsidiaries under the Oertli Ophthalmedic banner. Oertli holds EU MDR certification (2022), ISO 13485:2016 MDSAP and EN ISO 13485:2021 certifications (2023), and was awarded the Swiss Medtech Award in 2024. The company remains a privately held, second-generation family business with no external institutional or private equity ownership disclosed.

Name

Oertli

Legal name

Oertli Instrumente AG

Website

https://oertli-instruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Oertli Instrumente AG is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer of surgical platforms, instruments, and consumables for ophthalmic surgery, specializing in cataract, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal procedures for hospitals, surgical centers, and ophthalmic surgeons worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Surgical Devices

NAICS

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics) (HLAHAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vitreoretinal Surgical Devices (Vitrectomy Systems, Endolaser, Illumination, Tamponades) (HLAHAJAJ)

Keywords

• Ophthalmic surgical devices
• Cataract surgery equipment
• Vitreoretinal surgical instruments
• Phacoemulsification platforms
• Glaucoma surgical systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Berneck

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Surgical Platforms: Sale of surgical equipment including OS 4 Up, Faros, and CataRhex 3 surgical platforms for ophthalmic surgery. These are capital equipment purchases for hospitals and surgical centers.
2. Surgical Instruments: Tailor-made precision instruments designed for eye surgery conditions and surgeon needs. Sold as individual units and consumable surgical tools.
3. Consumables and Consumable Products: Sterile consumables produced in the clean room facility. Includes disposable surgical items required for procedures.
4. Service and Support: Service offerings for surgical platforms and instruments, including maintenance and support services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Oertli manufactures and supplies surgical platforms, precision instruments, and consumables for ophthalmic surgery, covering cataract, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal procedures. The company develops and produces all products exclusively in Switzerland, leveraging proprietary technologies such as easyPhaco phacoemulsification, SPEEP pump, and HFDS to serve hospitals, eye clinics, and surgical centers worldwide.

Product overview

Oertli Instrumente AG offers a portfolio of surgical platforms and specialized instruments for ophthalmic surgery, specializing in cataract, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal procedures. The product portfolio includes three main surgical platforms: OS 4 Up (all-in-one platform for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery), Faros (compact platform for anterior segment surgery with FDA 510(k) clearance), and CataRhex 3 (portable platform for routine cataract surgery). Key technologies include easyPhaco phacoemulsification technology, SPEEP pump for precise flow/vacuum control, and HFDS (High Frequency Deep Sclerotomy) for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery. The company also provides specialized instruments including Caliburn Trocar System, Continuous Flow Cutter, ViPer illuminated scleral indentor, and Flexible Chandelier for illumination. Oertli develops and manufactures exclusively in Switzerland (Berneck) and operates research facilities including the Oertli Ophtha Lab at Lucerne University and an in-house Bio Lab.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OS 4 Up Surgical Platform All-in-one surgical platform for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery combining physics and fluidics with unique three-pump system, featuring PACS (Phaco Assisted Cataract Surgery) and Dynamic Infusion for IOP settings near physiological levels. Made in Switzerland.
• Faros Surgical Platform Compact surgical platform for anterior segment and combined anterior/posterior segment surgery. Systematically designed for user friendliness with optional anterior segment or combined system configuration. Available in USA following FDA 510(k) clearance.
• CataRhex 3 Surgical Platform Portable surgical platform for cataract surgery with compact dimensions (5 kg / 11 lbs) focused on mobility and portability. Features SPEEP pump and easyPhaco technology for simple, safe and efficient routine surgery.
• OS 4 Surgical Platform Next generation surgical platform for retina, glaucoma and cataract surgery. Successor platform to the OS 4, offering speed, precision, and safety across multiple ophthalmic surgical specialties.
• easyPhaco Handpiece Phacoemulsification handpiece for safe and efficient cataract surgery. Allows direct fragment control with high holdability and efficient aspiration with no clogging. Available for incisions from 1.6mm to 3.2mm.
• Caliburn Trocar System Trocar system for vitreoretinal surgery with integrated membrane for precise intraocular pressure control during surgery. Designed for use with OS 4 Up and Faros platforms.
• Continuous Flow Cutter Latest innovation in vitrectomy surgery with continuous flow cutting concept ensuring continuous flow without perceivable pressure fluctuations for optimum portioning of vitreous body. Designed for use with OS 4 Up and Faros platforms.
• ViPer Illuminated Scleral Indentor Illuminated scleral indentor combining indenting and peripheral illumination in one hand, enabling faster and safer posterior segment surgery without additional assistants.
• Flexible Chandelier Flexible light fiber chandelier solution providing global visibility of the fundus for all surgical maneuvers in posterior segment, compatible with 23G, 25G and 27G trocar systems.
• 27G Instruments Extended 27G range for vitrectomy surgeries providing sutureless surgical procedure capability.
• Silicone Oil Application Sets Sets for extraordinary fast injection and extraction of silicone oil during vitreoretinal surgery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million people worldwide keep their eyesight yearly thanks to Oertli products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2023Partnership to establish the Oertli Ophtha Lab as a flexible research laboratory for new technologies at the university. Enables collaboration with academia for R&D innovation.
• RaynerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 April 2023Joint KOL dinner event at APAO Congress 2023 in Kuala Lumpur. Collaboration for expert engagement in ophthalmology.
• Domedics AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Oertli acquired majority of shares of Domedics AG, Dättwil. Domedics focused on essential products and services for ophthalmology. Created new sales brand Oertli Ophthalmedic Schweiz AG.
• Bänziger Lutze Architektur AGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm responsible for design of the Lean Factory building in Berneck.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Alcon: Global leader in ophthalmic surgery with the dominant cataract phaco (Centurion, Infiniti) and vitreoretinal (Constellation) installed bases. Directly competes with Oertli across cataract and vitreoretinal platforms and is the principal scale incumbent Oertli must displace.
• Johnson & Johnson Vision (Abbott Medical Optics legacy): Sells the Whitestar Signature and Catalys phaco systems, Tecnis IOLs, and a full ophthalmic surgical suite. Competes with Oertli globally in cataract surgery through hospital channel relationships that are difficult to displace.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec: Provides surgical microscopes, IOLs, and ophthalmic visualization systems. Overlaps with Oertli in operating-room workflow and is a broad incumbent in ophthalmic surgery, particularly in microsurgery and visualization.
• Nidek: Japanese ophthalmic equipment company offering phaco, vitreoretinal, and refractive surgery systems plus diagnostic devices. Competes with Oertli in cataract and vitreoretinal surgical platforms, particularly across Asia-Pacific.

Direct peers

• Bausch + Lomb (BVI): BVI's surgical division (formerly Bausch + Lomb Surgical) offers the Stellaris PC and Stellaris Elite phaco/vitrectomy platforms and a broad instrument line. Direct competitor to Oertli in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery with overlapping technology and customer base.
• DORC (Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center): Specialist in vitreoretinal surgery instruments and the EVA surgical platform. Closest direct competitor to Oertli in vitreoretinal, sharing a similar mid-sized, specialist-focused profile and an EU manufacturing heritage.
• Geuder AG: German manufacturer of ophthalmic surgical instruments and devices for cataract, vitreoretinal, and glaucoma surgery. Mid-sized European peer with comparable heritage, product mix, and DACH market overlap to Oertli.
• Asico: US-based specialist in ophthalmic surgical instruments with a broad catalog of single-use and reusable instruments for cataract, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal surgery. Direct competitor to Oertli's instruments and consumables line.

Emerging players

• Lumibird Medical (Ellex): Provider of ophthalmic lasers and selected surgical devices following the merger of Ellex and Quantel Medical. Overlaps with Oertli at the intersection of cataract/glaucoma devices and adjacent MIGS/laser technologies.

Others

• Rayner: UK-based IOL and ophthalmic surgical products company. Co-marketed with Oertli (e.g., KOL dinner at APAO 2023) and an adjacent peer in the cataract surgical workflow, though not a direct competitor to Oertli's platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2W9-EsBYgqbI_Cz8LGUwLQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/oertliinstrumenteag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1857598
• Instagraminstagram.com/oertliinstrumenteag

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oertli