Optos Technology added to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Advanced Instrument Program
3/28/2008
LONDON, UK, 28 March 2008 – Optos plc (LSE: OPTS), a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of retinal imaging devices, today announced that the Company’s P200 device has been added to the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Advanced Instrument Program.
“We are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Wal-Mart Advanced Instrument Program - Optos’ platform technology provides great clinical benefits for eye care practitioners,” said Dr Priti Patel, Director of Professional Relations, Optical Division, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Wal-Mart is a leading US-based international retailer with over 4,100 US retail unit locations, of which there are an estimated 2,250 in-store sub-leased practices that are owned and operated by independent optometrists. As a member of the Advanced Instrument Program, the clinical and commercial benefits of partnering with Optos will be promoted to these practices by the Optical Division throughout the Wal-Mart network in the US.
“My practice was the first to install the technology in my area and the unequalled views of the retina and diagnostic capabilities of the optomap® Retinal Exam afford me a great competitive advantage locally - recently four other local practices have installed to keep up with our cutting-edge patient services,” said Dr Kathryn McCullough, Wal-Mart, Tupelo, MS.
”Preventative care allows the practitioner to intervene at an earlier stage in the development of disease which results in better patient outcomes because irreparable damage can often be averted,” said Thomas W. Butts, Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted to be named to the Advanced Instrument Program and look forward to working closely with the Optical Division to help raise the standard of care within the independent optometric practice locations and to growing our overall presence in primary care in our core US market.”
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Enquiries
Optos plc
John McNeil, Company Secretary
+44 (0) 1383 843 337
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. 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 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates and projections about its industry, its beliefs and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective shareholders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.