Optos Plc
LONDON, UK, 04 May 2011 - Optos plc (LSE: OPTS), a leading medical retinal imaging company, announced the results of twenty positive clinical studies at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale May 1-4, 2011, including a study investigating the use of its retinal imaging technology to diagnose Alzheimer’s Dementia in the eye.
A team of scientists led by Dr Tunde Peto, Moorfield’s Eye Hospital, London, Dr Craig Ritchie, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, London, & Dr Imre Lengyel, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, captured optomap® retinal images of 102 subjects, of which 56 were Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) patients and 46 were age-matched controls. The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether a simple eye exam could be used to screen patients for AD. The screening test looks for drusen which are tiny yellow or white spots of extracellular material that build up in the retina of the eye.
Using Optos’ ultra wide-field images, the study revealed a highly significant association between AD and peripheral small hard drusen formation, suggesting that monitoring the peripheral part of the retina might become a valuable tool in the detection and monitoring of the progression of AD.
Further work is being planned to investigate whether peripheral small hard drusen can be shown to act as a surrogate marker for plaque development in the central nervous system.
Commenting on the results, Dr Ritchie, West London Mental Health NHS Trust said "It is crucial that we increase our ability to diagnose dementia effectively. With this simple detection method we are making a great step forward.”
Dr Lengyel, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology said, "This is the first study to assess the periphery in Alzheimer’s Dementia patients. The results are very positive and it is imperative we quickly progress to validate this method for use in early detection."
Roy Davis, CEO of Optos, said “This latest study adds to a growing body of clinical data that supports our conviction that the optomap has a crucial role to play in the detection and monitoring of a number of diseases. We will continue to develop the clinical evidence to support this and look forward to presenting further data in due course.”
About Alzheimer’s Dementia
Alzheimer’s and its associated dementia can be a devastating disease for sufferers and their families. It is estimated that between 2.4 million and 4.5 million Americans suffer from this debilitating, incurable disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. That figure is expected to rise as the baby boomers age. At present Community memory screening events are becoming increasingly popular as individuals and their families seek to detect dementia in its earliest stages—before it destroys patients' memories and thinking skills. But many physicians are concerned about these screenings, which are often ineffective when it comes to detecting dementia, and can leave test-takers feeling scared and powerless.
Enquiries:
Optos plc
Roy Davis, CEO
Christine Soden, CFO
Tel: 44 (0) 1383 843 300
Optos Inc.
Leslie Amodei, Director Global Marketing
Tel: 508-787-1414
FD
Ben Atwell / Mo Noonan
Tel: 44 (0) 20 7831 3113
About Optos Plc
Optos plc is a leading retinal imaging company. Our vision is to be recognized as a leading provider of devices and solutions to ophthalmic professionals for improved patient care. Optos' core devices produce ultra wide-field, high resolution digital images of approximately 82% of the retina, something no other device is capable of doing in any one image. The images provide optometrists and ophthalmologists with enhanced clinical information which facilitates the early detection, management and 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 medical devices that support different customer segments and patient levels: the P200 and 200Dx devices are concentrated on wellness screening carried out by optometrists and ophthalmologists in primary care; the P200C and 200Rx devices are designed to meet the need for more exacting clinical imaging capabilities and standards in secondary care within the ophthalmology market and at optometric practices that are clinically managing a patient base with advanced ocular disease; and the P200MA and 200Tx devices supports ophthalmologists and retinal specialists in the medical care market. Optos’ product range has recently been expanded to include the AccuPen, PachPen and B-Scan handheld devices for glaucoma and tumour management. The acquisition of Opto Global, completed in December 2010, brings additional devices for both optometrist and ophthalmologist practices, and expand the geographic reach outside our core North American and European markets.
For more information please visit our website www.optos.com