What is an OCT scan?
OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography and it is a 3D eye scan we offer alongside your eye exam. But exactly what is an OCT eye scan? Our experts explain everything you need to know right here.
The OCT – an advanced eye scan
An OCT is an advanced scan that works in a similar way to ultrasound, except it uses light instead of sound. For the person having the scan, it is easy, quick, and non-invasive.
All you have to do is place your head on the chin rest in front of the machine, keep still, look into the camera and let it do all the work. It’s over in a matter of moments and the results can be seen by our optometrists right away.
The OCT machine produces a 3D picture of the back of your eye, showing a cross section of all the layers of the retina and optic nerve, and also measure the thickness of these layers. This back of the eye scan is important to get a good look at your eye health as it can show even the tiniest changes that could be an early sign of eye disease.
The benefits of having an OCT
The images an OCT 3D eye scan produces enable our optometrists to check for signs of eye disease even in the earliest stages when they produce no obvious symptoms.
By being able to pinpoint exactly where the problem is in your retinal tissue layers and how it has affected them is a great indicator to the severity of the problem; something which isn’t possible with just a standard eye examination.
Detecting eye diseases at this point gives the best chance for them to be treated and managed before any further permanent damage to your vision occurs.
An OCT scan can detect several eye conditions. Some of the well-known ones, which can cause irreversible damage and even sight loss if left untreated include:
– age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of sight loss in those over 50
– diabetic retinopathy
– glaucoma
– macular holes
– vitreous detachments
Being able to detect all these sight-threatening issues with one simple scan is a huge advantage and we encourage everyone to include it as part of their regular eye exam.
Why you should have an 3D OCT eye scan
OCT scans are suitable for all ages, and we recommend them to all our patients. If you have a family history of eye conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, or AMD, it’s even more important to keep a close eye on things during your routine appointments, and the OCT is the best way to do that.
Having a scan every time you have your eyes examined also has the advantage of building a longer-term picture of your eye health. The optometrist will be able to compare the results with previous scans and it will be easy for them to see if anything has changed and help protect you from future problems with your vision.
Book your eye exam and OCT scan
Contact us to book your OCT 3D eye scan alongside your eye test in Glasgow or Ayrshire at your local Opticare practice and get peace of mind that your eyes are in the best health today.