Augenzentrum Eckert Herrenberg

What Augenzentrum Eckert Herrenberg does

Augenzentrum Eckert is a family-owned ophthalmology practice network founded around 1970 by Dr. med. Christoph Eckert and Dr. med. Sophie Eckert, with Dr. med. Georg Eckert also active in the business (serving as press spokesperson for the BVA). The group operates approximately 80 outpatient locations across Southern Germany plus an international site in Olten, Switzerland, alongside a referenced Nigeria aid project. Sixteen-plus dedicated surgical centers (OP-Zentren) concentrate laser and lens work, while consultation practices feed referrals and an Augen-OP-Shuttle transport service moves patients between sites. The network performs approximately 40 eye surgeries per day and runs the annual Eckert-Augensymposium in Stuttgart, which draws around 200 ophthalmologists for CME-certified continuing education.

The clinical offering is organized around three core pillars. First, refractive laser vision correction covering PRK, Smart Surf (Trans-PRK), and Femto-Lasik, performed with portable Ziemer Z8 femtosecond laser systems deployed across surgical centers. Second, refractive lens procedures including implantable contact lenses (ICL), microlenses, and Clear Lens Exchange (CLE), supported by a premium intraocular lens portfolio spanning EDOF (including Alcon Vivity), multifocal, trifocal, toric, and blue/yellow-light filtering IOLs. Third, disease-focused surgical and medical treatment for cataract (Grauer Star), glaucoma (Grüner Star), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal disease, and eyelid/aesthetic surgery, plus general ophthalmology, pediatric consultations, and proprietary adjunctive therapies such as Eyetronic (transcorneal electrical stimulation for visual field defects) and E-Eye therapy for dry eye.

The revenue model blends German statutory health insurance (GKV) billing for covered consultations and standard cataract surgery with private insurance (PKV) reimbursement and out-of-pocket self-pay for elective refractive procedures, premium lens upgrades, and clear lens exchange. Pricing for premium tiers and laser work is not publicly disclosed, though the website references an EUR 800 per-eye enhancement laser fee and offers a satisfaction guarantee (free laser touch-up for life) on premium-lens combinations. Patient acquisition combines a content-heavy website with Google Ads, Facebook Pixel retargeting, Hotjar analytics, an online Eignungstest laser-eligibility funnel, Calendly booking, WhatsApp contact, free in-person Infoabende, and a patient-advisor (Paten Patienten) referral program. Corporate structure includes a wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Medizentrum Eckert Altensteig MVZ GmbH, and internal capability buildout through the EckAdemy training academy for MFAs and physicians.

Name

Augenzentrum Eckert Herrenberg

Legal name

Augenarzt Dr. Christoph Eckert & Dr. Sophie Eckert, Fachärzte für Augenheilkunde Senden

Website

https://augenzentrum-eckert.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Augenzentrum Eckert is a family-owned ophthalmology network operating approximately 80 practices across Southern Germany and Switzerland, delivering laser vision correction, refractive lens procedures, cataract surgery, and chronic eye disease treatment to adult and pediatric patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN), Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE), Vitreoretinal Surgical Devices (Vitrectomy Systems, Endolaser, Illumination, Tamponades) (HLAHAJAJ)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Laser eye surgery
• Cataract treatment
• Refractive lens procedures
• Eye care clinic

Headquarters

HQ city

Senden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ophthalmology consultations and diagnostics: Outpatient consultations including general eye exams, screenings for glaucoma and macular degeneration, pediatric ophthalmology, and prescription of glasses/contact lenses. Revenue is generated through the statutory (GKV) and private (PKV) health insurance billing system in Germany.
2. Refractive laser procedures (PRK, Smart Surf, Femto-Lasik): Laser eye surgery for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Typically self-pay (out-of-pocket) as statutory insurance does not cover elective laser procedures. Private insurance may reimburse in some cases.
3. Cataract surgery and lens procedures (ICL, CLE, Premium lenses): Cataract operations (covered by statutory insurance for standard monofocal lenses) and premium lens upgrades (EDOF, multifocal, trifocal, toric — paid out-of-pocket or by private insurance). Lens exchange procedures (CLE) are self-pay. ICL implantation is also primarily self-pay.
4. Glaucoma, AMD, and retinal disease treatment: Medical treatments for chronic eye diseases including glaucoma (including Eyetronic therapy), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal conditions. Covered by statutory and private insurance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Augenzentrum Eckert is a multi-location ophthalmology group operating approximately 80 eye care centers across Southern Germany and Switzerland. It provides outpatient eye examinations, diagnostics, and a broad surgical portfolio including refractive laser vision correction (PRK, Smart Surf, Femto-Lasik), refractive lens procedures (ICL, Clear Lens Exchange, premium intraocular lenses), cataract surgery (with standard and premium lens options), and treatment for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal diseases, alongside general ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, aesthetic eyelid surgery, and specialized therapies such as Eyetronic and E-Eye.

Product overview

Augenzentrum Eckert is a multi-location ophthalmology group operating ~80 eye care centers across southern Germany and Switzerland, offering a unified platform of eye care services centered around surgical vision correction and comprehensive ophthalmology. The core offering comprises three interconnected pillars: (1) Laser Eye Surgery (Augenlasern) — PRK, Smart Surf/Trans-PRK, and Femto-Lasik procedures for refractive correction; (2) Refractive Lens Procedures (Refraktive Linsenkorrektur) — ICL implants, microlenses, and Clear Lens Exchange (CLE), augmented by a portfolio of premium intraocular lenses including EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus), multifocal/trifocal, and toric lenses; and (3) Surgical Eye Treatments including cataract (Grauer Star), glaucoma (Grüner Star), macular degeneration (AMD), retina, and eyelid/aesthetic surgery. Supporting these surgical services are general ophthalmology consultations (Sprechstunde), specialized therapies such as Eyetronic for visual field defects and E-Eye therapy, pediatric ophthalmology, optical dispensing, nutritional supplements, and patient support services including free information evenings (Infoveranstaltungen) and a transportation shuttle (Augen-OP-Shuttle). The group also conducts regular ophthalmology symposiums (Eckert-Augensymposium) for professional continuing education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EckAdemy: Training academy for medical assistants (MFAs) and doctors, including regular continuing education, training, access to specialist literature, libraries, internships in other ophthalmology practices and OPs, practical training, wet-labs and more.

Products and services

• Laser Eye Surgery (Augenlasern) Refractive laser surgery for adults with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia seeking reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses; performed using PRK, Smart Surf (Trans-PRK), and Femto-Lasik techniques at dedicated surgical centers.
• Refractive Lens Procedures (Refraktive Linsenkorrektur) Lens-based refractive correction including ICL (phakic intraocular lens) implantation, microlens implants, and Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) with premium intraocular lenses for patients unsuitable for laser correction or seeking premium refractive outcomes.
• Cataract Surgery (Behandlung Grauer Star) Surgical removal of cataracts (clouded natural lens) and replacement with intraocular lenses, offered with monofocal (statutorily insured), EDOF, multifocal, trifocal, or toric premium lenses, including laser-assisted cataract surgery using the Ziemer Z8 platform.
• Glaucoma Treatment (Behandlung Grüner Star) Diagnosis and management of glaucoma (Grüner Star) including medical therapy, laser procedures, surgical interventions, and adjunct therapies such as Eyetronic therapy for visual field defects.
• AMD Treatment (Behandlung Makuladegeneration) Diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) including monitoring and therapeutic interventions for both dry and wet AMD.
• Aesthetic and Eyelid Surgery (Ästhetik & Lidchirurgie) Aesthetic eyelid and periocular cosmetic surgery performed alongside functional ophthalmic treatments for adult patients seeking both functional and cosmetic improvements.
• General Ophthalmology Consultation (Sprechstunde) Routine and general ophthalmology services including eye examinations, vision testing, spectacle and contact lens prescriptions, medical certificates (Gutachten), dry eye management, nutritional supplements, and pediatric ophthalmology (Kindersprechstunde).
• Eyetronic Therapy (Eyetronic-Therapie) Specialized transcorneal electrical stimulation (trACS) therapy for visual field defects, including treatment of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), using proprietary Eyetronic technology developed in-house by Augenzentrum Eckert.
• E-Eye Therapy (E-Eye-Therapie) Light-based therapeutic treatment (E-Eye) for meibomian gland dysfunction and related dry eye conditions, offered as a specialized service within the network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% patient recommendation rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eckert-Augensymposium speakers (international and German ophthalmologists)coreOthers · 5 April 2025Annual Eckert-Augensymposium brings together internationally renowned ophthalmologists as speakers, including Prof. Dr. med. Helmut Sachs (Cottbus University Eye Clinic), Prof. Dr. med. Carl Erb (Berlin), Dr. med. Burkhard von Jagow (Eberswalde), Dr. med. Thomas Braun, and Dr. med. Matthias Lenglinger. This peer network reinforces the clinic's academic standing.
• Alcon (Vivity EDOF Lens)coreTechnology or IntegrationAugenzentrum Eckert uses Alcon's Vivity Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) intraocular lens in cataract and refractive lens exchange procedures. Alcon is cited on the EDOF lens page as the manufacturer of the Vivity lens featured in patient education videos.
• BVA (Berufsverband der Augenärzte Deutschlands e.V.)coreOthersProfessional membership in the German Ophthalmological Society's professional association. Dr. Georg Eckert serves as press spokesperson for the BVA. Provides access to professional standards, guidelines, and peer exchange.
• BDOC (Bund Deutscher Ophthalmo-Chirurgen)coreOthersMembership in BDOC (Association of German Ophthalmo-Surgeons), which awards the Gütesiegel Augenchirurgie quality seal for eye surgery. BDOC is referenced as a key professional membership on the homepage.
• DOG (Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e.V.)coreOthersMembership in the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG), the primary scientific professional society for ophthalmology in Germany. Listed among key memberships on the homepage alongside BVA and BDOC.
• Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Baden-Württemberg and Kassenärztliche Vereinigung BayernscoreOthersRegulatory and reimbursement partners for statutory health insurance billing. Listed in the Impressum as supervisory bodies overseeing the network's outpatient physician services in both states.
• Baden-Württembergische Ärztekammer and Bayerische LandesärztekammerminorOthersState medical chambers (Ärztekammern) overseeing professional standards and licensing for physicians in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Asklepios Kliniken: One of Germany's largest private hospital operators, with ophthalmology departments across multiple sites. Overlaps with Augenzentrum Eckert on complex surgical cases and inpatient-adjacent ophthalmology but operates at much broader scale and includes non-eye-care service lines.
• Helios Kliniken: Major German private hospital group (Fresenius subsidiary) operating ophthalmology departments across its network. Comparable only at the broad category level as a large incumbent with overlapping eye surgery capabilities within a wider hospital portfolio.
• Sana Kliniken: German private hospital operator with ophthalmology service lines in selected facilities. Indirect competitor for complex and inpatient eye surgery referrals, but not a direct ambulatory chain peer.

Direct peers

• Care Vision: Germany-based ophthalmology chain focused on cataract and refractive surgery, operating multiple consultation and surgical centers. Comparable to Augenzentrum Eckert in core offering (cataract surgery, premium IOLs, laser vision correction) and direct-to-consumer patient acquisition.
• Smile Eyes: German ophthalmology group specializing in refractive surgery (LASIK, lens exchange, ICL) and cataract procedures across multiple sites. Directly competes with Augenzentrum Eckert in the elective self-pay refractive segment and the premium cataract upgrade segment.
• Artemis Augenkliniken: German network of ophthalmology clinics offering cataract, refractive, and general ophthalmology services across multiple states. Comparable to Augenzentrum Eckert in service mix and multi-location ambulatory model.
• Ober Scharrer Gruppe: One of the largest ophthalmology clinic networks in Germany, operating a multi-site model combining consultation practices and surgical centers across multiple federal states. Directly comparable to Augenzentrum Eckert on network scale, service mix (cataract, refractive, glaucoma), and self-pay plus GKV revenue model.
• EuroEyes Clinical Network: Hamburg-headquartered, Hong Kong-listed refractive surgery chain with German clinic locations offering LASIK, lens exchange, and ICL procedures. Comparable on refractive surgical mix and premium self-pay positioning, and serves as a listed-market valuation reference for the German refractive clinic category.

Others

• Optical Express: UK- and Ireland-based refractive surgery and optical retail chain. Adjacent comparator for self-pay refractive clinic unit economics and marketing model, but operates in different geographies and is not a direct competitor in the German market.
• CHEC (Community Health and Eyecare): UK-based independent-sector ophthalmology provider delivering NHS-commissioned cataract and ophthalmology services. Adjacent comparable on the hub-and-spoke surgical network model, but UK-focused and not a direct German market competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/augenzentrum-eckert-herrenberg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Augenzentrum Eckert Herrenberg