Contact:
Karen Whelan, Public Relations & Practice Marketing Specialist
508-787-1461
kwhelan@optos.com
Optos Supports AOA’s Save Your Vision Month
3/9/2007
MARLBOROUGH, MA, March 9, 2007 – March is National Save Your Vision Month. In recognition of the American Optometric Association’s initiative, Optos, a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of retinal imaging devices, fully supports the AOA’s call for American’s of all ages to be proactive about their vision by having regular exams.
“The AOA is pleased that Optos is supporting Save Your Vision Month. We want Americans to enjoy the highest quality of life possible through healthy lifestyle habits, and addressing eye care on a regular basis can go a long way in promising a lifetime of clear and healthy vision,” said Kerry Beebe, O.D., chair of the American Optometric Association’s Clinical Care Committee. “The Save Your Vision Month observance is an excellent opportunity for optometrists to concentrate their efforts on educating their patients and the public about the importance of regular eye care for the entire family.”
Early detection of eye health abnormalities may lead to earlier and safer treatments and in many cases prevention of vision loss. The optomap® Retinal Exam provides the opportunity to diagnose health conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration, early enough to determine the appropriate course of action for proper treatment.
“We are excited to support this important initiative and are encouraging eye care professionals and their patients to be proactive about eye health during Save Your Vision Month,” said Ian Stevens, General Manager, Optos North America. “Annual eye exams, including those with the optomap® Retinal Exam, are vital for people of all ages to maintain vision and overall health and to detect eye disease early in order to prevent vision loss.”
Because the AOA dedicates the month of March to raising Americans’ awareness of the importance of regular eye care, a new, interactive Web-based version of the American Eye-Q™ survey is available online at www.aoa.org. Individuals are encouraged to test their eye care knowledge, and then compare their answers with other respondents.’
Note to Editors
Optos plc is a leading and rapidly growing medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of devices that image the retina, the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye. Optos' platform technology is the Panoramic200 Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope device - known as the P200. In a quarter of a second the P200 device produces a high resolution image of up to 200 degrees or approximately 82 percent of the retina in a single capture. The image - branded the optomap® Retinal Exam - provides eye care practitioners with clinically useful information that facilitates the early detection of disorders and diseases evidenced in the retina, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
The Company has gained regulatory clearance (CE and FDA 510(k)) to market a second device - P200MA. The P200MA is aimed at the specialist ophthalmic and
medical as opposed to the primary care market. It is designed to produce an angiographic retinal image called optomap® fa that supports medical procedures by providing enhanced diagnostic, monitoring and treatment capabilities. Retinal imaging can also indicate evidence of non-eye or systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers. Optos’ technology provides an unequalled combination of wide-field retinal imaging, speed and convenience for both practitioner and patient and can help save sight and save lives.
Optos estimates that its P200 device is targeting a recurring US$2 billion market opportunity. As at 30 September 2006 Optos had 232 employees serving more than 2,500 customers in the Company’s existing markets, currently the USA, Canada, UK and Germany. Optos plc is headquartered in Dunfermline, Scotland and was admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 15 February 2006 trading under the symbol OPTS.
Optos is incorporated in Scotland under the Companies Act 1985 with registered number SC139953. The Company maintains its Registered Office at Queensferry House, Carnegie Business Campus, Dunfermline, Scotland KY11 8GR United Kingdom.