Canon U.S.A. Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the World's First Non-Mydriatic Camera

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Signifying a historic milestone in eye care, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to mark the 40^th anniversary of the introduction of the Canon CR-45NM, the world's first non-mydriatic 45 degree retinal camera. Introduced to the public by Canon Inc. in 1976, the CR-45NM was the first retinal camera in the world to allow eye care professionals to screen patients' eyes without dilation, helping to alleviate discomfort or pain that the patient might otherwise experience during the process. Canon U.S.A. has taken the opportunity to not only commemorate this anniversary, but to also celebrate the capability of Canon retinal cameras to provide high-quality retinal images of the eye that can assist medical professionals in their diagnosis of certain illnesses.

The CR-45NM was the result of Canon Inc.'s desire to diversify its healthcare offerings, which began with the production of x-ray equipment in 1940. In the 1970s, Canon worked with medical professionals to develop a camera to provide doctors retinal images to assist in their diagnosis of a variety of illnesses. From this collaboration, the world's first non-mydriatic 45 degree retinal camera, the CR-45NM, was born. This device was the first retinal camera to allow screening of the eye without having to dilate the patient's pupil with a drop. Having been available for sale overseas through Canon Inc., Canon U.S.A.'s parent company, in 1976, the non-mydriatic camera was first made available to customers in the United States in 1977.

"The development of this device signified the first steps by Canon Inc. into the world of diagnostic eye imaging and an example of Canon dedication to be a leader of innovation," said Tsuneo Imai, vice president, Healthcare Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Since 1976, eye care professionals have used Canon cameras to take high-quality images of the eye. We are tremendously proud to mark four decades of Canon producing successful eye care solutions and look forward to continuing this important work into the future."

Through the use of current Canon eye care technology, specifically the CR-2 AF Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera and the CR-2 PLUS AF Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera, eye care professionals can secure retinal images which can assist them in their detection of eye conditions.  An example of Canon eye care devices being used for this purpose can be seen in the work of Canon consultant Ben Szirth, Ph.D., who serves as Director of Applied Vision Research & Ophthalmic Telemedicine at Rutgers University and conducts retinal screenings using Canon solutions every summer at the Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conference in Orlando, Florida.

"It is my opinion that the eye can serve as a window into the health of the whole human body, allowing physicians to use retinal screening to detect changes in the eye.  There is no better time to celebrate the impact of the world's first non-mydriatic 45 degree retinal camera. The development of this device by Canon Inc. forty years ago helped put Canon on the path to develop the tools that eye care professionals use today," said Ben Szirth, Ph. D.

For more information on Canon eye care devices and solutions, please visit www.usa.canon.com/eye-care.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2015^† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2016. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED® Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

^†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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