OPTOS deserves to be hailed as a Scottish company that developed a significant global business from scratch.

The fact that a firm of Nikon's stature is prepared to pay £259m for Optos speaks volumes about the respect the eye-testing technology the company developed in Scotland commands.

The success provides testament to the drive and ingenuity that founder Douglas Anderson showed in pioneering a new form of testing in very difficult circumstances.

Mr Anderson struck lucky in coming up with the idea in 1992, just as a group of investors decided to use their wealth to provide support for exciting early stage firms such as Optos.

The support provided by what became known as the Archangels syndicate proved crucial in allowing Optos to develop products and the sales and marketing muscle needed to win success in global markets.

There will be sadness in Scotland that not long after posting strong results that reflected its international success control of Optos is set to move to Japan.

Scotland needs all the corporate headquarters it can get.

However, Nikon seems to be keen to grow Optos.

The company has said it has no intention to change Optos' principal places of business. These include Dunfermline where the firm's key research and development function is based.

Nikon also said it does not have any current plans for headcount reductions at Optos.

So long as these plans remain in place, people may feel any downsides of the proposed takeover for Scotland are likely to be outweighed by the advantages.