NIDEK'S HISTORY IS CREATED WITH ITS CUSTOMERS

NIDEK develops innovative products in the hopes of promoting a healthy and pleasurable lifestyle for all. NIDEK continues to focus on the needs of the time, making its history together with customers.
1971	July	Company established.
1973	May	Introduced the first Xenon Photocoagulator in Japan, and exhibited at the Congress of Japanese Ophthalmological Society.
1974	June	Started production of Multi Layers coating.
1976	March	Construction of Hiroishi plant completed.
1977	May	Exhibited the first Argon Laser Photocoagulator AC-3500 produced in Japan at the International Congress of Ophthalmology.
1979	April	Established NIDEK Sales Co., Ltd. as an independent sales organization in Japan.
1982	June	Introduced Auto-Refractometer AR-3000 with the feature of subjective refraction measurement.
	December	Established NIDEK Incorporated (U.S.A.).
1984	August	Construction of Hama-cho plant completed.
1985	June	Started marketing of Intraocular Lens.
1986	May	Exhibited YAG Laser Surgery System at the Japanese Ophthalmological Society Conference.
	August	Donated ophthalmic equipment to the city of Gamagori at the 15th anniversary.
1987	August - November	Started annual "NIDEK Fair" to introduce new products for optical shops in major cities in Japan.
1988	April	Established NIDEK Société Anonyme (France).
	November	Established NIDEK Technologies Inc. (U.S.A.)
1989	January	Exhibited Phacoemulsification / Vitrectomy System CV-8000 at the Japanese Society of ophthalmic Surgeons.
	February	Established the Tokyo Office (International Division).
	September	Introduced patternless edger LE-8000.
	November	Construction of Tsurugahama plant completed.
1991	April	Exhibited 3-Dx Fundus Camera at the Japanese Ophthalmological Society Conference.
1992	May	Exhibited Non-Contact Tonometer NT-1000 at the Japanese Ophthalmological Society Conference.
	June	The 1st Excimer Laser Corneal Surgery System completed.
1996	May	The prince and princess Takamado of Japan visited.
	August	Established a company website.
	September	Announced the new business domain "Eye & Health Care" at the 25th anniversary.
	October	Construction of Higashihama plant completed.
1997	June	Entered into the pharmaceutical business with Toyama Chemical Co. (press release)
		Received ISO 9001 certification.
1998	April	NIDEK EC-5000 received MHW approval for PTK surgery in Japan.
	July	Started marketing of pharmaceutical products in Japan.
1999	February	NIDEK and partners created new human graft tissue joint venture (J-TEC). (press release)
		Established the NIDEK Bioengineering Institute.
	September	NIDEK EC-5000 received FDA approval for PRK with astigmatism. (press release)
2000	January	NIDEK EC-5000 received MHW approval for PRK surgery in Japan. (press release)
	April	NIDEK EC-5000 received FDA approval for LASIK. (press release)
	July	Construction of Osawa plant completed.
	December	Received ISO 14001 certification.
2001	April	Established NIDEK Technologies S.r.l. (Italy) and NIDEK Technologies America, Inc. (U.S.A.). (announcement)
		Supported the establishment of a high school in Nepal.
	August	Established NIDEK Vision Institute to develop prosthesis for artificial vision.
2002	January	Established NIDEK Technologies Germany (Germany).
2003	September	Entered into a licensing agreement with the Schepens Eye Research Instisute, Harvard Medical School for the development of next generation ophthalmic equipment.
2004	March	Received the certification of "Aichi Quality", which is awarded to manufacturers located in Aichi Prefecture, as one of the elite companies in japan with unique technologies.
	April	Merged NIDEK Sales Co., Ltd. into NIDEK Co., Ltd.
	May	Mr.Hideo Ozawa, founder & president of NIDEK receives prestigious "Order of the Rising Sun" award from Japanese government and emperor of Japan. (press release)
		Introduced the ME-1000 Multifunction Edger.
	September	Introduced the TONOREF RKT-7700 Auto Ref/Kerato/Tonometer.
2005	July	Received the "National Commendation for invention" for advanced innovation in peripheral processing of spectacle lenses. (press release)
		Exhibited a prototype artificial vision system at the NEDO (New Energy and Industrial technology Development Organization) pavilion, EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN.

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