OPTOS, the retinal testing specialist, said yesterday that its P200 retinal imaging device will be used by Wal-Mart in its Advanced Instrument Program for the retail group�s in-store optometrists.

OPTOS, the retinal testing specialist, said yesterday that its P200 retinal imaging device will be used by Wal-Mart in its Advanced Instrument Program for the retail group's in-store optometrists.

"We are delighted to be named Advanced Instrument Program and look forward to working with the (Wal-Mart) optical division to help raise the standard of care," said Thomas Butts, the chief executive of Optos.

Dr Pritti Patel, of Wal-Mart's optical division, said the Optos device would provide "great clinical benefits" for eye-care experts who rent space at the retailer's superstores. Wal-Mart has more than 4000 outlets in the United States and owns the Asda chain of supermarkets in the UK.

News of the US deal pushed up shares in the Fife-based company by 8%, or 9.5p, to 130p.

Optos's eye-testing machines, most of which are sold in the US, produce a high-resolution image of the retina in a single capture, allowing identification and prevention of eye disease. Under its business model, Optos retains ownership of the expensive P200 machines and charges for each test.

In January, Optos said it expected revenues to grow by 20%-25% this year with sales especially strong in the US, which is a core market for the company, and Germany.