OCT | Early Detection, Better Outcomes
Many eye conditions can cause significant damage if not detected early. The sooner they are identified, the less impact they will have on your vision.
An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan, in addition to a regular eye exam, is an excellent way to ensure your eyes are thoroughly examined, allowing any potential sight-threatening issues to be diagnosed before they become serious.
What is an OCT?
Think of an OCT as an ultrasound for your eyes. Widely used in hospital eye departments, an OCT scan allows your optometrist to look beyond the surface of the retina, offering a detailed view of the layers beneath. Many eye conditions can develop unnoticed beneath the surface, and by the time they’re detected with a regular eye exam, some vision damage may have already occurred.
An OCT scan can detect eye conditions or anomalies up to five years earlier than a standard eye exam.
Some conditions an OCT Can Detect Early include:
Early detection of these conditions allows for quicker, more effective treatment.
Monitoring Your Eye Health
OCT scans are stored in your record and used to monitor any changes in your eyes over time. With each eye exam, we compare new OCT scans to previous ones, helping us identify any changes that could indicate the onset of an eye condition.
How does an OCT Work?
An OCT scan operates similarly to an ultrasound, but instead of sound waves, it uses light waves. The machine captures over 1,000 real-time images of your eye, creating a detailed, layered scan of your retina. This enables your optometrist to examine your retina in unparalleled detail, detecting even the smallest signs of eye disease.
Why Have an OCT Exam?
An OCT exam is the gold standard in eye examinations. Early detection leads to early prevention.
The scan takes only seconds and provides immediate results, including a 3D image of your eyes and retina during your exam.
All scans are stored and compared with earlier scans to monitor eye health.
The OCT scan is completely painless and non-invasive, with no need for eye drops.