Optos unveils ultra-widefield color image modality, offering increased retinal visualization to ophthalmologists

A new UWF image modality, the optomap color rgb. (Image courtesy of Optos)

Optos, Plc, announced this week it is expanding the optomap ultra-widefield (UWF) retinal imaging modalities available with the California FA device to further assist eyecare professionals in disease management and treatment planning.

According to the company, in addition to optomap color rg (red/green), sensory red-free, choroidal, autofluorescence (AF), fluorescein angiography (FAF) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) modalities, the company announced the first ultra-widefield color rgb (red/green/blue) image. This new image modality is captured simultaneous to the optomap color rg image. Thus, a single capture delivers two amazing color ultra-widefield images.

Rob Kennedy, CEO of Optos, noted in the news release the company is pleased to bring another image modality to its California FA device.

“The optimized color palette used in the new optomap ultra-widefield color rgb image was created in close collaboration with eyecare professionals,” Kennedy said in a statement. “The new image modality, in addition to our clinically validated optomap color rg images, provides additional retinal visualization to our customers as they manage their patient’s treatment and ongoing care.”

The company noted in its release that initial feedback from customers who saw the new image at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) meeting was positive.

David M. Brown, MD from Retina Consultants of Texas, the lead author for a poster presented at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) commented about the newest image modality, pointing out that the technology is assisting the management of retinal vascular diseases.

“The optomap color rgb is particularly impressive in its ability to discern holes in peripheral lattice degeneration and retinoschisis which leads to immediate improvement to patient care,” he said in a statement. “It is an exponential advancement in retinal imaging that will rapidly become the standard of care in our mutual fight against blindness.”

Prof Paulo E. Stanga, Director & Vitreoretinal Surgeon at The Retina Clinic, London added in the release the newest ultra-widefield modality in California allows eyecare professionals to see a natural colour single capture ultra-widefield image.

“It has been exciting, in my day-to-day clinic, to see the improved detail of drusen in intermediate AMD patients, better characterise them, and track their progression,” Stanga said. “We can easily visualize the extent and severity of a macular epiretinal membrane and better grade diabetic retinopathy. I cannot envision my retina clinics without the assistance of Optos technology.”

Steve M. Bloom, MD, a retina specialist at Bennett & Bloom Eye Center in Kentucky, added the addition of a blue wavelength to an optomap ultra-widefield image is most helpful for capturing a record of that patient’s fundus biomicroscopy.

“Looking at these color rgb ultra-widefield images makes me smile, and realize that in both health and disease, the retina remains a work of art,” he concluded.