Optos

Optos is a medical technology company that develops and manufactures ultra-widefield (UWF) retinal imaging devices for the early detection and treatment of eye diseases. The company was founded in 1992 by Douglas Anderson after his five-year-old son became blind in one eye when a retinal detachment was detected too late. Frustrated by the limitations of existing examination tools, Anderson, a healthcare product development expert, set out to create a patient-friendly device that could capture a comprehensive digital image of the entire retina.

The company's core product is the optomap®, a high-resolution digital image that captures approximately 82% (or 200 degrees) of the retina in a single, non-invasive scan. This provides a much wider view than traditional methods, which typically only show 15-20% of the retina at once. This enhanced visibility allows eye care professionals to detect diseases like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal tears that may originate in the periphery. More recent innovations integrate this UWF imaging with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for detailed, cross-sectional views of the retina's layers. Optos operates on a business model that includes direct sales of its devices and service programs. It initially used a pay-per-patient model to increase accessibility for practitioners. Its client base includes independent optometrists and major eye clinics, such as those at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Harvard Medical Center.

Headquartered in Dunfermline, Scotland, Optos went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2006. In a strategic move to expand into the medical technology sector, Nikon Corporation acquired Optos in 2015 for approximately $400 million. This acquisition has allowed Optos to leverage Nikon's optical expertise and global presence to further its growth. As of March 2022, the company reported record annual revenues of $254 million and has installed over 22,000 devices worldwide.

Keywords: ultra-widefield retinal imaging, optomap, eye care diagnostics, medical imaging devices, ophthalmology, optometry, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma detection, Nikon healthcare, Douglas Anderson, Optical Coherence Tomography, OCT, medical technology, fundus imaging, eye examination, macular degeneration, peripheral retina, non-mydriatic, digital imaging