Transforming the World of Visual Electrophysiology: LKC Technologies

“We have the right system for every practice and research facility, big or small.”

Since 1976, LKC Technologies, Inc. (LKC) established itself as the industry leader in the manufacture of visual electrophysiology products with the introduction of new systems and devices that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic disorders.

Visual Electrodiagnostic Testing has now evolved onto the RETeval(r) device, the first hand-held, battery powered, portable, non-invasive, fully ISCEV-compliant ERG device for use on dilated or non-dilated eyes. With over 40 years of experience, ERG and VEP testing is made easy with LKC’s products and world-class customer service.

A colloquy with Jim Datovech, President of LKC Technologies

How did LKC have to change to bring innovation to market? And what was the value driver?

We first had to change the way we looked at the market. Manufacturers who served the visual electrophysiology market were optimized to serve the needs of the professional user typically in tertiary referral University eye centers. The systems were optimized to offer the largest range of capabilities to be able to do whatever the professional electrophysiologist wanted to do. This led to large machines, at a high cost, that was extremely capable but needed specific expertise to use and interpret the results.

LKC decided to focus on large unmet health needs that affected large numbers of patients where electrophysiology results could aid the physician in their diagnosis and care of patients and improve patient outcomes. Diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of working age blindness was the first unmet health need that we focused on. Since there are over 400 million people with diabetes in the world this device had to be portable, non-invasive, and not require eye dilation. It also had to have an intuitive user interface, easy to use electrodes and have straight forward interpretation of results. We also needed the user interface to be multi-lingual so that it could be used around the world.

Tell us about your latest product that was launched.

The LKC RETeval^® device was developed with the support of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from NIH. It required invention and innovation to develop the right form factor, ergonomics, user interface, and ease of use characteristics to be used in many locations around the world wherever a person met their care. The device was first launched in Europe with the CE mark and in other countries that accept the CE registration. Once FDA clearance was achieved it was launched in Japan, Korea, Australia, and China. Over 1,300 devices have been produced and in use around the world by pediatric ophthalmology, general ophthalmology, and retinal specialists in private offices and eye centers. It is also used by medical Optometrists in their practices. The RETeval device is also used by veterinary ophthalmologists and in animal model eye research.

Over 100 posters and presentations have been made at eye conferences around the world and over 30 peer-reviewed publications have utilized the RETeval device. It is rapidly becoming the go-to technology for flash-based visual electrophysiology testing.

Rivalry comes along with a good market position. In the current competitive world, how do you differentiate your products/services

from the crowd?

LKC offers the only truly non-invasive visual electrophysiology system in the world that is FDA and CE cleared for use without dilation and with nothing touching the surface of the eye. LKC also offers the only full function hand-held, battery-powered full function flash based electrophysiology system in the world. We also have the only true multi-lingual interface in this space.

What challenges did you face in your initial years?

LKC has a long and well-respected reputation in visual electrophysiology. Even with this reputation, it is important to prove and newly introduced technology. LKC supported KOL use of the technology so that posters, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications would occur to substantiate the utilization, performance, and efficacy of the device. This is a critical step in product introduction and acceptance.