A New Comprehensive Screening Solution for Early Detection

And Prevention of Blinding Eye Diseases

September 8, 2008, Lod, Israel – Talia Technology, developers and manufacturers of the RTA5 has announced the release of the RTA3 system for the Optical market. The RTA3 has been specially adapted to enable screening of large populations for early signs of back-of-the-eye diseases.

 The Need

80% of world blindness is caused by Glaucoma, Age-related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy. 75% of blindness is preventable with early detection of these diseases. Blindness and visual impairment have a major personal impact on people's daily lives and presents a major medical, rehabilitation, financial and social burden.

Until now, the only system available for eye diseases screening for the prevention of blindness, in the primary eye care settings, was the fundus camera. But subtle changes of retinal thickness that are indicative of early signs of back of the eye diseases, are practically impossible to detect on a fundus image. Furthermore, there are several other disadvantages of using only a fundus photo for vision wellness screening: First, interpreting a fundus image requires a skilled eye doctor. Second, even with a skilled eye doctor at hand – the interpretation is subjective at best. Third, there is no automatic comparison to a normal database and no automatic follow up analysis for future visits. These limitations lead to many false negatives or false positive results and miss the screening objective.

 The RTA3 Solution

The RTA3 is based on a highly advanced technology platform, which was adapted especially for the primary care screening market. A simple to use interface that can be operated by any staff member in an optical store, performs a 2-3 minute scan of the back of the eye, without the need for pupil dilation. The result is a comprehensive report consisting of a 2D retinal thickness map overlaid on a fundus image, a high resolution fundus image and Disc image, a rim/cup topography area map, an RNFL cross section chart and more. All results are automatically compared to a database of normal eyes and an indication is given, both visually and numerically, if results are outside normal limits, indicating possible pathological findings.

An optometrist, after only a few hours of training, can interpret the results, and advise the  customer whether he/she should be referred to an eye specialist for further investigation or invited back for a periodical follow up exam.

Furthermore, all results are automatically stored to enable automatic comparison in a follow up periodical exam to the baseline examination; hence any subtle change in the retina is detected for immediate evaluation. 

“Once we recognized the need for a reliable, objective, quantitative yet easy to use and fast tool in order to screen the general public for early signs of eye diseases, we knew we had to concentrate our R&D efforts in developing the solution” says Dan Moran, CEO of Talia Technology, “from that moment we began to study the Optical store setting, their marketing challenges, and the customer characteristics, and adapted our proven technology to this setting, making it as user-friendly as possible for the operator, the Optometrist and the customer.

Our vision is to help raise awareness to the threat of blinding eye diseases and to enable every person to walk into his or her neighborhood Optical store and get a quick vision wellness exam, just as easily as you can get your blood pressure measured at your local drugstore”.

 Proven Technology

The RTA3 is based on the Talia’s flagship product – the RTA5, which has been in use in the Ophthalmologic market worldwide for over a decade. Hundreds of studies have validated the RTA’s clinical applications in early detection of back-of-the-eye diseases and hundreds of optometrists and ophthalmologists (both retinal and glaucoma specialists) in the US, Europe and Asia use the RTA in their clinics. 

 About Talia Technology

Talia Technology Ltd. is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of advanced imaging systems for screening and diagnosis of back-of-the-eye diseases.

Talia’s products are based on proprietary imaging technology and software developed by leading engineers and physicists in the field, through collaboration with leading ophthalmologists and 15 years of research.

Talia’s products are distributed through leading medical device partners, and the company’s direct sales force. Founded in 1991, Talia Technology is privately owned and is headquartered in Lod, Israel.

For more details please contact:

Rina Bar,

Marketing Director

Talia Technology

rbar@talia.com

Phone:  +972 8 920 9040 (Ext. 103)