An OCT (optical coherence tomography) scan is an advanced scan of your eye that can tell us a lot about your eye health. As an independent practice, we are proud to be able to offer this service to our patients, giving you greater peace of mind.

OCT explained

An OCT eye scan works similarly to an ultrasound scan but uses light rather than sound. For the patient, it is an easy, quick and non-intrusive scan. All you have to do is position your head in front of the machine with your chin on the support, and stay still for a few minutes while the scan takes place.

OCT produces a series of images that create a representation of a cross-section of the layers of your retina at the back of your eye. The appearance of your retina can be an indicator of eye disease, so this enables the optometrist to get an in-depth look at your eye health. The scan also details the optic nerve head, another important part of the eye that can show signs of damage. Results are produced instantly so there’s no waiting around, the optometrist will examine the results straight away and can show you what the inside of your eye looks like.

Our Nidek OCT RS 330 machine also includes fundus photography to capture a different view of your retina, plus glaucoma and anterior eye modules.

Advantages of OCT

OCT can be used to detect several eye conditions, including diabetes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma. Many eye conditions creep up on you with no obvious symptoms, and by the time you notice something is wrong, there could be irreversible damage to your vision. OCT is the best way to spot minute changes in your eye that can alert the optometrist to a problem when it is in the earliest stages and most treatable.

We recommend having regular OCT scans rather than a one-off. This is because each scan is saved on our system, allowing the optometrist to compare them and look for changes in the thickness of the layers that could indicate a potential issue.

Who should have an OCT?

An OCT scan can be done at any age, but we particularly recommend it for those aged over 40, when your eyes are starting to age and you become more susceptible to eye disease. If you have an eye condition such as glaucoma or diabetes, regular OCT scans can keep track of your condition. Scan results can also be helpful if you need to be referred to an ophthalmologist.

You can book an OCT as part of your enhanced eye examination, and if you join our Eyeplan you will be able to request an OCT whenever necessary. Contact us to book an appointment or find out more.