A SCOTS optician has become the first in Europe to own a cutting edge retinal camera that could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of eye disease in patients.

Peter Ivins Eye Care, in Bearsden, has invested £70,000 in a Zeiss Clarus 500, an innovative system that takes ultra-wide photos of patients’ eyes in true colour and high resolution, giving a realistic depiction of the retina.

Indications of disease are often seen in the far periphery of the retina and the machine could be instrumental in the early identification of health problems.

Peter Ivins founded the practice in 2011 after identifying a need for a practice with a stronger focus on visual health.

He said: “We’re dedicated to providing each and every one of our patients with the very best specialist eye care plan... Our longstanding experience in the industry, strong relationships with medical suppliers and participation in cutting-edge clinical trials, means we’re consistently at the forefront of optometry.

“Offering our patients industry-leading specialist services made possible with the latest technology, alongside our genuine care for the community, is what sets us apart from other opticians out there.

“We’re incredibly excited to be the first European owners of this imaging system and about the health benefits it will bring.”