LONDON, UK, 31 March 2015 – Optos plc (LSE: OPTS), the leading medical retinal imaging company, today announces it has commenced first shipments of California, the second device from its next generation ultra-widefield (UWF™) imaging platform. 

California is a compact table-top ultra-widefield retinal imaging device providing greater imaging functionality and is targeted at the ophthalmology market.  California introduces the Company’s newest imaging modality; indocyanine green angiography (ICG) while maintaining all current colour imaging modalities, autofluorescence (AF) and fluorescein angiography (FA).  ICG is used for imaging the choroidal vasculature which is important for the diagnosis, management and treatment of certain conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and disorders with choroidal neovascular membranes. 

In addition to ICG retinal imaging, the California has several software and hardware enhancements, including the new OptosAdvance software platform with advanced tools and an easier procedure workflow.  New proprietary optical hardware allows resolution to be optimized and maintained throughout the scan of the retina resulting in more clarity in the far periphery.  California also incorporates ProView™, which enhances image registration for tracking retinal disease development over time and comparison of images across all retinal image modalities.  This functionality removes systematic image variations providing an accurate representation of anatomical features in the retina.

Roy Davis, CEO of Optos, said:  “We have begun shipments of our California devices as planned, demonstrating a tremendous company-wide achievement.  We have utilised the latest design, manufacturing and software technologies in California and continued our investment in clinical research to support this product launch.  The addition of ICG in our newest UWF device provides retinal specialists and ophthalmologists with more imaging tools allowing them to see and treat retinal pathology more effectively.  California further supports our entry into the ophthalmology segment and aspiration to make optomap® images a standard of care in this market.”

An early user of California, SriniVas R. Sadda, MD Doheny Eye Institute, added:  “One of the great advantages of the Optos system has been the ability to capture the largest field of view in one image.  The reality is that we didn’t know until we had ultra-widefield just how much disease was out in the far periphery.  With the introduction of California, we have all of the current image modalities with the added benefit of ICG angiography imaging.  ICG is going to be huge because it is an important component in treating difficult disease such as uveitis.  I’m particularly excited about the new improvements to the optical system that further enhance visualisation of the inferior and superior periphery.”

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Further product details are published at www.optosnextgen.com. 

Enquiries

Optos plc	Tel: +44 (0) 1383 843 300
Roy Davis, CEO
Robert Kennedy, CFO
FTI Consulting	Tel: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000
Ben Atwell / Mo Noonan / Simon Conway

 

Note to Editors: Images available upon request

About Optos plc

Optos plc has the vision to be The Retina Company and recognised as a leading provider of devices to eyecare professionals for improved patient care. Optos' core devices produce ultra-widefield (UWF™), high resolution digital images (optomap^®) of approximately 82% and 200^◦ of the retina, something no other device is capable of doing in any single image.  An optomap image provides a bigger picture and more clinical information which facilitates the early detection, management and effective treatment of disorders and diseases evidenced in the retina such as retinal detachments and tears, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.  Retinal imaging can also indicate evidence of non-eye or systemic diseases such as hypertension and certain cancers.

Optos has a range of retinal imaging devices that support different customer segments and patient needs such as wellness screening carried out by optometrists in primary care settings or more exacting imaging in secondary care practices that are clinically managing a patient base with advanced ocular disease.  Our most advanced imaging devices for disease management and treatment support ophthalmologists and retinal specialists in the medical care market.

The latest products, Daytona and California represents the newest generation of Optos ultra-widefield retinal imaging technology and have been converted to desktop models while still providing high resolution images. For both devices, the ergonomic body is designed to increase patient comfort, as well as make it easier to correctly position the eye for image capture.  All image modalities; colour, red-free and autofluorescence (AF) are included in both devices.  California features fluorescein angiography (FA) and our newest UWF imaging modality, indocyanine green angiography.  ICG is used for imaging the choroidal vasculature which is important for the diagnosis, management and treatment of certain conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and disorders with choroidal neovascular membranes. 

Optos also offers optical coherence tomography ("OCT") devices and optical ultrasound scanners, used in the diagnosis and management of eye disease and systemic conditions.  OCT delivers an image that shows a three dimensional, cross-sectional view of the retina in the central area of the retina around the optic nerve and macula and is used to detect the presence of and understand the severity of disease, determine treatment approaches and monitor post-treatment effect.  Currently under product development is an ultra-widefield retinal imaging device combined with OCT.  This united device has the potential to offer ophthalmologists and optometrists the most powerful tools for disease diagnosis, monitoring and management.  Beyond ultra-widefield imaging and OCT, the company’s expanded product range now includes visual acuity, perimetry and treatment laser products.

Optos is committed to utilising the latest technology to manufacture new products and software that support optomap as a standard of care therefore helping eyecare professionals around the world save sight and lives.  Furthermore the company continues to strengthen its clinical evidence and expand its disease indications to demonstrate the importance of imaging the entire retina.

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.