LKC Technologies has been acquired by Ametek, Inc., a publicly traded global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. Under the agreement, LKC will operate within Ametek’s Ultra Precision Technology Division and its Ophthalmic & Precision Solutions Business Unit. According to a press release, LKC’s existing management team and staff will remain in place, and clinical services and customer contacts will continue without interruption.

LKC Technologies is known for its work in electroretinography (ERG), particularly through its handheld RETeval system, which allows objective assessment of retinal function without dilation. ERG has historically been used in academic and research settings, but clinical evidence has expanded its application in routine eye care, especially for diabetic retinopathy (DR). In March 2025, ERG was added to the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines for Diabetic Retinopathy. The updated guidelines recognize ERG as a functional complement to structural imaging for both diagnosing and managing DR because it can identify functional retinal changes that may occur before visible structural damage.

The RETeval system measures multiple functional parameters, including implicit time, amplitude, pupillary response, and intereye asymmetry. These measurements are combined into a single DR Score that is intended to assist clinicians in staging disease, assessing progression risk, and informing follow-up intervals. According to LKC, ERG testing can be performed by clinical staff and integrated into routine workflows.

Several peer-reviewed studies referenced by LKC report that ERG-derived metrics, including the DR Score generated by the RETeval device, can help stratify risk and predict disease progression. In one longitudinal prospective study published in Ophthalmology Science,¹ a DR Score of 26.9 was associated with a relative risk of 5.6 for progression to vision-threatening complications over 1 year. It outperformed selected parameters from ultrawidefield fluorescein angiography, OCT angiography, and fundus photography.

LKC also reports that the RETeval platform is supported by more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and is used across optometry, ophthalmology, and research settings for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, optic neuropathies, and other retinal and neurologic conditions. The company states that ERG functional testing is increasingly being evaluated alongside imaging modalities to provide a more comprehensive assessment of retinal health.

Reference

1. Davis CQ, Waheed NK, Brigell M. Predicting progression to vision-threatening complications in diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmol Sci. 2025;5(6):100859. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2025.100859