In early 2025, Medical Vision AG acquired a majority stake in Galifa Contactlinsen AG. In August, a new executive management team was appointed, led by CEO René Eisner. Since then, work on the future of Galifa and the Medical Vision Group has moved ahead at pace. New products, closer collaboration within the group and international partnerships have marked the first twelve months. In this interview, René Eisner, CEO of Galifa Contactlinsen AG, and Dr Thomas Sammer, Chairman of Galifa’s Board of Directors and CEO of both Mediconsult AG and the holding company Medical Vision AG, reflect on the year.
Mr Eisner, looking back on the first twelve months, what has defined the year for you?
René Eisner: The combination of fresh momentum and experience. We have introduced new products, refreshed our market presence and intensified collaboration within the group. At the same time, we have been able to draw on a team that knows Galifa and the needs of our professional partners extremely well. With Matjaz Grabner as COO and Patrick Luginbühl as CTO, our executive management team brings together essential expertise. I am particularly pleased that the changes are now tangible in our product range, our advice and our day-to-day collaboration.
Mr Sammer, what was the thinking behind the majority acquisition in early 2025, and how much progress have you made?
Thomas Sammer: We wanted to combine Galifa’s expertise in developing and manufacturing custom contact lenses with the capabilities of our group. Mediconsult contributes particular expertise in diagnostics and close customer relationships. This creates significant potential to provide more comprehensive support to our professional partners.
Since the acquisition, we have been working on this shared future with considerable pace and energy. We can now see the first results: joint market activities, closer cooperation in sales and synergies already achieved in internal functions. Our strategic vision is becoming part of everyday collaboration.
You are Chairman of Galifa’s Board of Directors and also CEO of Mediconsult and Medical Vision AG. How do these roles differ in your work with Mr Eisner?
Thomas Sammer: As Chairman of Galifa’s Board of Directors, my focus is on the company’s long-term development and supporting the executive management team. René Eisner runs the company together with his leadership team. As CEO of Mediconsult, I also focus on practical opportunities for us to work together in the market. At the level of the holding company, Medical Vision AG, the task is to develop the group’s companies and shared structures.
Clear responsibilities and close communication are essential. They enable us to pursue shared opportunities while continuing to build on Galifa’s distinctive strengths.
The easyK campaign in summer 2026 was a highlight. What does this new lens mean for Galifa?
René Eisner: easyK represents one of our core strengths: tailored solutions for demanding contact lens fitting needs. With easyK and easyK IC, we offer adaptable lens geometries for different forms of keratoconus and other complex corneal conditions. The campaign was therefore an important milestone in this first year.
For me, a customer-focused solution always includes support for our professional partners. They need to understand the possibilities a lens offers and have access to expert support whenever fitting questions arise.
New daily disposable and monthly contact lenses, together with a new lens care range, were introduced in early 2026. How does this expansion fit with your specialisation in custom contact lenses?
René Eisner: Our expertise in custom contact lenses remains a central part of our identity. The new daily disposable and monthly lenses extend our range to meet additional wearing needs. This allows professional partners to address different requirements within the Galifa portfolio.
The lens care products are a valuable addition. The overall approach also includes appropriate cleaning and lens care, as well as eye lubrication where needed. We want to help our professional partners consider these aspects together.
Galifa and Mediconsult exhibited together at opti 2026 in Munich. What made the joint appearance a success?
Thomas Sammer: We were able to show how well our areas of expertise complement one another. Visitors could explore diagnostics, contact lenses, lens care products and eye lubrication products at a single stand.
René Eisner: For us, opti was also an important step forward as teams. Direct conversations with customers provide a very practical way to show how our different offerings work together. The success of our joint appearance encouraged us to continue this collaboration in our day-to-day work.
Where are customers already benefiting from closer cooperation between the sales teams, particularly in Switzerland and Austria?
René Eisner: We are seeing the first benefits of a more comprehensive approach to customer advice. A conversation about contact lens fitting may, for example, raise questions about the diagnostic equipment already in use. Conversely, a discussion about a diagnostic system may lead to a closer look at particular contact lens fitting options. Appropriate lens care and eye lubrication products complete the picture.
Our teams are better able to recognise these connections and involve the relevant specialists. The benefit for customers is that our advice takes greater account of their entire workflow.
Galifa’s new website is also live. What should it offer your professional partners?
René Eisner: The new website makes Galifa’s development visible externally. It is designed to make it easier to access our product range, product information and the right contacts.
As our range grows, clear guidance becomes increasingly important. Professional partners should be able to get an overview quickly and then contact us with specific questions. The website is therefore an important route to our expert advice.
Some of the changes are taking place behind the scenes. What progress has been made there?
Thomas Sammer: Together with Medical Vision AG, we have already achieved synergies in quality management, finance and HR. We are sharing knowledge across the group and coordinating our processes more closely.
Shared software systems are the next step. The implementation of Improve for quality management and Abacus for HR is scheduled for completion in early 2027. This will create the basis for further synergies, more consistent information and less duplication of work. Projects like these receive little attention externally, but they are very important for an effective organisation.
Galifa has recruited new employees. What role does the team play in the company’s further development?
René Eisner: A crucial one. New products and partnerships depend on people who develop them, support them and make them work in practice. We are therefore very pleased to have recruited new colleagues and to be continuing to build our expertise.
I particularly value the combination of long-standing experience and fresh perspectives. Passing on knowledge while remaining open to different approaches is a leadership responsibility. We would like to thank all our employees for supporting and shaping this intensive period of change.
With so many projects running at the same time, what is the biggest leadership challenge?
René Eisner: Setting clear priorities. Product development, market activities and internal changes often call on the same people. At the same time, day-to-day operations must continue to run reliably.
We therefore need to keep deciding what will deliver the greatest benefit now and which foundations need to be put in place first. That includes explaining changes clearly and taking feedback from our teams seriously. Progress also depends on everyone knowing what matters most at a given moment.
You are also pursuing international expansion. What do the first partnerships for Germany and Italy mean for Galifa?
Thomas Sammer: They are an encouraging step in the continued expansion of our international partner network. We have established initial partnerships for Germany and Italy, creating additional opportunities to develop our presence in these markets.
Quality is what matters in these relationships. Products requiring specialist advice need partners who know their markets and share our professional standards. Our next task is to develop these relationships carefully and support our partners well.
How important are personal advice and continuing professional development during this phase of growth?
René Eisner: As the portfolio expands, good professional guidance becomes even more important. Our professional partners need to be able to assess which solution suits each requirement and where to turn for support.
For me, products, advice and knowledge sharing are closely connected. The flow of information in the other direction is equally important: feedback from contact lens fitting practice helps us improve our products and services. We want to strengthen this exchange further. Our close relationships with professional partners are one of Galifa’s key strengths.
How would you like to measure the success of the new organisational set-up in future?
Thomas Sammer: Business performance is, of course, part of it. Reliable processes, customer satisfaction and the development of our employees are equally important.
Finally, looking ahead, what can customers and partners look forward to in 2027?
René Eisner: We are planning further innovative product introductions and want to continue developing our portfolio in a focused way. The experience gained from this year’s introductions and campaigns, together with feedback from our professional partners, will guide us. We do not want to reveal too much about the individual new products just yet, but there is plenty to look forward to.
Thomas Sammer: We also want to deepen our collaboration in logistics. Together with the shared quality management and HR systems, this will create further opportunities for the group. We will also continue to pursue international development.
The first twelve months have shown what we can achieve together. We are building on that progress with considerable energy and enthusiasm for 2027. Our customers, partners and employees can look forward to more exciting news.
René Eisner has been CEO of Galifa Contactlinsen AG since August 2025, having previously been responsible for sales and the field sales team. Born in Voitsberg, Austria, in 1975, the optician brings experience in optical retail and contact lens sales. He has also made a name for himself in sport: he refereed matches in the Austrian football Bundesliga and was on the FIFA referees list from 2010 to 2015. He has also worked as a football coach. Further details of his career can be found in the German-language Wikipedia article on René Eisner.
Dr Thomas Sammer is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Galifa Contactlinsen AG and CEO of both Mediconsult AG and Medical Vision AG, the holding company behind the Medical Vision Group. Medical Vision AG acquired a majority stake in Galifa in early 2025. His focus is on the group’s strategic development and collaboration between its companies.