Contact:
Karen Whelan, Public Relations & Practice Marketing Specialist
508-787-1461
kwhelan@optos.com
University of Virginia’s Health System Offers the optomap® Retinal Exam
6/13/2007
MARLBOROUGH, MA, June 13, 2007 – Optos, a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of retinal imaging devices, is pleased to announce that the University of Virginia’s (UVA) Health System has installed Optos’ platform technology – the Panoramic200 (P200) Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope device. The P200 produces an ultra-widefield view of the retina, the back of the eye, known as the optomap® Retinal Exam.
“Adding the optomap® Retinal Exam as part of our protocol for patients greatly improves patient compliance and our screening capabilities, in particular for our diabetic patients,” said John G. Leiner, M.D., an internist at UVA’s Health System. “The optomap® Retinal Exam enables us to better educate patients and encourage them to seek advanced care for ocular and systemic conditions that otherwise might be ignored.”
The optomap® Retinal Exam provides eye care professionals with important clinically useful information to help diagnose eye and non-eye related conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, hypertension, and certain cancers. The exam is fast, painless, and comfortable for people of all ages.
“Preventative care is the first step in detecting and diagnosing disease earlier and before irreparable damage has occurred - this provides time for successful intervention by the doctor and improved treatment and outcomes for the patient,” said Thomas W. Butts, Chief Executive Officer, Optos plc. “We are extremely pleased that UVA has partnered with Optos to offer the optomap® Retinal Exam as part of the primary care services within their Department of Internal Medicine.”
UVA’s Health System is an integrated network of primary and specialty care services ranging from wellness programs and routine checkups to the most technologically advanced care. In addition, primary and specialty care is provided at clinic locations throughout Central Virginia communities. The UVA Health System boasts the largest outpatient clinic with approximately 30,000 visits each year, of which approximately 2,000 are patients with diabetes.
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. The Company has gained regulatory clearance (CE and FDA 510(k)) to market a second device - P200MA. 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 2,593 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.