As a world leading manufacturer of retinal imaging technology, Optos was crowned Optical Supplier of the Year at the Optician Awards 2018 in Birmingham on Saturday 14^th April. The awards are recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the UK optical community and showcase the best in achievement, ability and performance.

The company, which employs over 500 worldwide including 230 people at its Carnegie Campus headquarters in Dunfermline, fought off stiff competition from some of the world’s leading optical suppliers to win. It impressed judges with the innovative ways it serves its UK optometry customers, providing them with “excellent support” in using their products to help detect the signs of potentially life changing conditions.

From its Fife base the company develops and manufactures world-leading technology used by Optometrists and Ophthalmologists. Its products allow Eye Care Practitioners to see the widest field of view of the retina, enabling them to detect early signs of disease and eye conditions that would not normally be picked up in standard examinations.

Optos has been based in Dunfermline since it was founded 26 years ago by Douglas Anderson. Douglas developed this ground-breaking retinal imaging technology following his five-year old son losing his eye sight in one eye due to a retinal detachment.

The company, which is now owned by Nikon, has since sold over 13,000 devices worldwide and has offices across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Chris Willis, Optos Sales Director for Northern Europe, said: “Winning this award means a great deal to everyone here at Optos.  It’s a privilege to be selected as the winner of this category in particular, because it’s judged on the strength and success of our customer relationships. “This award is testament to the efforts of the entire team across our organisation, both inside our offices and in the field. Our aim is to help our customers continually improve the health of their patients, and we look forward to continuing the outstanding work we do with our optical partners.”

Photocaption: L-R Mark Watson (awards host - comedian and actor), Chris Willis (Optos Sales Director, Northern Europe), Chris Bennett (Editor Optician Magazine), Amanda Brown (Optos Reginal Sales Manager), Kevin Williams (Optos National Accounts Manager, UK), Ebru Hamilton (Optos, Senior International Marketing Manager) and Stuart Burdett, The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO).