Keeler History

1917 - 1955
1955 - 2000
2000 - Present
1917: American-born Charles D Keeler, aged 41, opens his first practice at 47, Wigmore Street, London W1, supplying high-quality dispensing services and spectacles to the patients of ophthalmologists
1926: His son, Charles Henry Keeler patents his first instrument, at age 23
1928: C Davis Keeler open his first regional practice in Plymouth, Devon
1929: C Davis Keeler opens practices in the West Country and Midlands. Patents include the multi-function Decagon Master Ophthalmoscope and the Cardell Polarised Ophthalmoscope
1933: The C Davis Keeler company is established, with Charles H Keeler as its first Managing Director; Keeler launches Wide Angle Ophthalmoscope
1935: Charles H Keeler purchases Sefton Lawn, Clewer Hill, Windsor, as a family home. Later this becomes the firm's business headquarters
1937: Twenty years after his first UK venture, the founder Charles Davis Keeler dies
1939: Keeler moves its spectacle prescription factory from the original premises in Jason Court, London to Windsor, establishing a scientific laboratory tradition at Sefton Lawn
1946: Recovering from the disruption of the war years, Keeler moves ahead with the establishment of Keeler Optical Products Ltd, to design and produce ophthalmic instruments and sell them worldwide
1953: Keeler Optical Products incorporated in Philidelphia, USA
1955: In collaboration with Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, Charles Keeler evolves his new, rational low vision system - the first of its kind in Europe
1957: Keeler launches the Fison Indirect Ophthalmoscope
1967: To mark the firm's 50th anniversary, Keeler institues a Trust, the Keeler Award for Clincal Studies, which assists ophthalmologists seeking to further their clinical experience
1969: Charles Keeler is awarded the OBE for services to the partially sighted
1970: Charles' eldest son, Richard Keeler, is appointed Managing Director of the Keeler Group on Charles Keeler's retirement
1972: Charles' youngest son, David Keeler, becomes Executive Vice-President of Keeler Inc, USA, succeeding Stan Dowler who had headed Keeler Inc since the 1950's
1977: Charles Keeler is made an honorary life member of the Contact Lens Society
1979: Keeler wins a British Design Award for its Pocket Diagnostic Set hand instruments for doctors and students
1986: Dollond & Aitchison Group plc, then Britain's largest optical group, purchases Keeler Holdings Ltd with Keeler Ltd functioning as its specialist, autonomous instrument division
1987: Keeler launches the Pulsair non-contact tonometer, a major innovation in glaucoma screening; Keeler incorporates the Hamblin ophthalmic instrument range into the Windsor operation; Keeler opens its Cumbernauld Sales and Servicing facility
1989: The Pulsair Tonometer wins Britain's highest award for scientific instrument innovation, the Queen's Award for Technical Achievement. The Pulsair also won a British Design Award
1992: Keeler celebrates its 75th anniversary
1993: Charles Henry Keeler dies
1994: Keeler launches the Vantage, a top-of-the-range Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope
1996: Keeler acquired by Halma plc a UK Listed Company
1997: Charles Richard Keeler retires from his position as Chairman of Keeler Ltd; The Tearscope tearfilm analysis device and the Spectra spectacle mounted Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope are both launched
1998: Keeler launches the Pulsair 3000 Non-Contact Tonometer which is the third generation of this market leading device
1999: Keeler Ltd repositions itself in the UK Ophthalmic Optometric Market with the introduction of a comprehensive, co-ordinated range of refraction furniture and instrumentation
2000: The Keeler All Pupil II Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope is launched
2001: Mark Lavelle is appointed Managing Director, with a declared mission of "Adding new professionalism and speed of innovation to the company's enviable worldwide reputation for quality and service"; Keeler launches its website; Pulsair EasyEye is launched , with a revolutionary 'seeing eye' optical system
2002: Keeler launches the replacement for the Vista 20 ophthalmoscope, the Professional. Its a radical new design and uses Xenon illumination, which provides bright, clear images of the retina with superb resolution and no reflex or shadow. The new ophthalmoscope has a snug fit against the patient's eye socket and an optimum viewing angle.; Keeler launches lithium-ion Slimline handles and chargers, able to intelligent charge handles in 2 hours
2003: Keeler introduces the first "Wireless" indirect ophthalmoscopes. Wireless gives the freedom to move from room to room without any constraints - No more wires, cords or tangles, just a lightweight, well balanced and comfortable indirect ophthalmoscope; Keeler first introduced the Wide-Angle Ophthalmoscope in 1933. Seventy years later the Keeler Wide Angle Twin Mag represents another significant step forward in ophthalmoscopy. The Wide Angle Twin Mag's non-polarized Xenon illumination provides whiter, brighter light, ensuring diagnostic information is not compromised
2004: Keeler introduces Lean Manufacturing to its Windsor operation. Through a process of thorough analysis, cultural, structural and systemic redesign Keeler achieves astonishing results significantly improving manufacturing lead times, quality and reduces waste
2005: Keeler launches the new version of its popular Specialist ophthalmoscope. 50% lighter than pervious models, the new model has a slimline lithium battery handle which is perfectly balanced with the head. The re-engineered optics provide 30% more illumination, allowing better diagnosis of cloudy media, cataracts and similar conditions.; Keeler introduce a new range of Low Vision Aids that are uniquely interchangeable and can be quickly and easily upgraded year after year as your eyes change; Keeler launch two new Dental products. The Hi-Res Loupe and KEE-LED light source, both of which exceed all expectations.
2006: Keeler launches the Cryomatic ophthalmic cryosurgery unit. The Cryomatic is a major step forward in user efficiency, using advanced technology to automate the complex set up and operating procedures often associated with cryo systems. Reliability is a key feature of the Cryomatic and is of paramount importance in a theatre environment.
2007: Optrafair at the NEC Birmingham sees the launch of the new Pulsair intelliPuff Non Contact Tonometer. This new hand-held Pulsair intelliPuff® non-contact tonometer has been radically redesigned and improved, making this 5^th generation tonometer smaller, lighter and more accurate than any previous model. It also has an exceptionally light puff that is gentle on the patient's eye. 50% smaller than the conventional non-contact tonometer, the instrument can either be desk- or wall-mounted.; Keeler launches the new LED powered Spectra Plus Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope. Spectra Plus has been specifically designed as a lightweight, comfortable and portable BIO for the professional on the move. Spectra Plus has LED illumination to ensure constant and reliable illumination.
2008: Keeler continues to innovate and launches the World's first headband LED powered wireless Binocular Indirect Ophahtlmocope - the Vantage Plus LED. Vantage Plus uses an environmentally friendly slimline Li Polymer batery rechargeable battery to power the white, bright LED illumination system. The benefits of this technology include controllable brightness, up to 6 hours of continual use from a single charge and greater comfort as a result of the lightweight battery pack.; Keeler launches the Digital version of the popular Vantage Plus LED Indirect Ophthalmoscope. Vantage Plus Digital brings a new dimension to the world of Indirect Ophthalmoscopy by giving the clinician the power to record and show others the surgical procedure or the patient's pathology. For the teaching and paediatric communities Vantage Digital represents another innovation from keeler to benefit clinicians and patients.
2009: Keeler launches the 2.5x Mini Loupes, designed to be ultra light and comfortable with minimal compromise in the field of view. Absolute comfort is our achievement; excellent peripheral vision is the added benefit of our slim design.; Optrafair 2009 sees the launch of the Pulsair Desktop Non Contact Tonometer. Pulsair Desktop has been designed to be fast and efficient to use. Intuitive controls and a colour alignment screen together with an ultra slim design make this a user and patient friendly Tonometer.; The war against Glaucoma continues with the launch of the KAT - the Keeler Applanation Tonometer. The KAT is a perfect example of our skills, applying 21st Century design techniques to a 20th Century device.; The AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmologists) meeting in San Francisco was the venue for the launch of the PSL Classic, Keeler's new Portable hand held Slit Lamp, designed for the paediatric, domiciliary and veterinary markets and for where a conventional chinrest device is impractical.
2010

Keeler launches an updated version of the highly succesful Vantage Plus Digital indirect Ophthalmoscope featuring animproved focusing system for clearer, sharper clinical video recording.