Contact:
Karen Whelan,
Public Relations & Practice Marketing Specialist
Phone: 508-787-1461
kwhelan@optos.com
Optos Supports National Diabetes Month
11/2/2006
MARLBOROUGH, MA, November 2, 2006 – In recognition of National Diabetes Month, Optos, a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of retinal imaging devices, believes Americans should get annual eye examinations to protect their sight. Optos encourages all Americans to get an optomap® Retinal Exam every year in conjunction with a comprehensive eye examination in order to understand potential risk for diabetic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy as well as other eye conditions like macular degeneration or glaucoma.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports that nearly 21 million children and adults have diabetes with approximately 6.2 million unaware they have the disease until major complications develop such as diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in America. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), up to 24,000 Americans become legally blind each year as a result of diabetic retinopathy. Even though this risk exists, AAO indicates that only 50% to 60% of diabetics get the recommended yearly eye exams.
“The earliest signs of diabetic retinopathy often occur in the periphery without warning signs in the more central areas of the retina,” said Ian Stevens, General Manager, Optos North America. “Annual eye exams looking at the retina are vital for people of all ages, especially those with diabetes, to maintain vision and overall health and detect eye disease early. The optomap® Retinal Exam enables up to 80% of the retina to be viewed in a simple, non invasive manner.” Research has shown that up to 20% of diabetics are first identified through eye examinations.
Annual comprehensive eye examinations, including those with the optomap® Retinal Exam, is an integral first step in detecting diabetic retinopathy in its early stages. According to Prevent Blindness America (PBA), there are approximately 5.3 million Americans over the age of 18 with diabetic retinopathy with nearly half of diabetics that have some degree of the disease. Although there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, proper screening with the optomap® Retinal Exam and treatment can help slow down the onset and progression.
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 recently 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. Approximately 8.5 million optomap® Retinal Exams have been conducted in the Company’s existing markets, currently the US, Canada, UK and Germany, to date. As at 31 March 2006 Optos had approximately 220 employees serving more than 2,250 customers. 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.