JENA, Germany—Following its strong year-end results, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE 0005313704), continued its growth trend in the first quarter of 2017/18. Revenue increased by 5.3 percent, or 9.5 percent with adjusted for currency effects, to €294.7 million, up from €280.0 million in the prior year. Earnings before interest and taxes amounted to €38.9 million; the adjusted EBIT margin was 13.5 percent versus 13.4 percent in the prior year.“Our company remains on course for growth, with encouraging contributions from both strategic business units and all regions,” said Dr. Ludwin Monz, president and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. “Targeted investments in refreshing our product portfolio in the areas of ophthalmology and microsurgery and in our global presence are therefore paying off for us.”

The Ophthalmic Devices strategic business unit (SBU) increased its revenue by 4.2 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, or 8.2 percent adjusted for currency effects, to €216.3 million, compared with €207.6 million in the same period of the prior year. Carl Zeiss Meditec said the increase is attributable to all product areas, from ophthalmic diagnosis products through to lasers for refractive correction and intraocular lenses for cataract treatments.

Revenue in the Microsurgery SBU grew by 8.2 percent, or 13.4 percent adjusted for currency effects. Revenue from surgical microscopes and visualization solutions climbed to €78.4 million, compared with €72.4 million in the prior year.

Revenue in Europe, the Middle East and Africa region increased by 8.9 percent, or 10.8 percent adjusted for currency effects, resulting in total revenue of €91.2million, up from €83.7 million in the prior year. Business in the core markets of Germany and France developed well, according to Meditec.

Revenue in the Americas region remained stable, increasing by 3.9 percent, or 11.8 percent adjusted for currency effects, to €94.1 million, up from €90.5 million in the prior year.

In the Asia/Pacific region, Carl Zeiss Meditec posted €109.5 million in revenue versus €105.8 million a year ago, representing an increase of 3.5 percent, or 6.6 percent with currency effects. A large part of this growth is attributable to the Chinese market, as well as South Korea, the company said.