The Advanced Development Team within the ZEISS, Business Group Vision Care is a fully equipped research lab with technology and infrastructure to run research in the field of Visual Optics. Research and Development at Carl Zeiss Vision includes lens design, lens materials, and lens coatings and is located at the headquarters of Carl Zeiss Vision in Aalen. The Corporate Research and Technology of the Carl Zeiss AG is located nearby and all research teams stay in continuous contact to exchange knowledge and new technologies.

The main R&D areas cover the entire value chain of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Optics: optical design, vision research, visual perception, algorithms (machine learning), single vision, progressive and special eyeglass lenses, coatings, photochromic and tinted lenses, magnifying devices, subjective and objective refraction methods, and instruments.