R W COLE OPTICIAN
Est 1955
OCT Scans: what is optical coherence Tomography?
Our aim is to offer the best possible service for all of our patients in every appointment we carry out. Using the best of the best techonologies are simple part of the journey. This is where OCT comes in. OCT technology allows us to take a 3D image of the back of your eye to help spot serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, up to four years earlier than traditional methods.
An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan gives a much more detailed view of your eye health by allowing us to look beneath the surface of the eye.
Think of your retina like a cake. Standard 2D retinal photography shows us the top layer—like the icing. An OCT scan, however, creates a 3D image that effectively slices through the cake, revealing all the layers inside.
This advanced view enables our opticians to assess the deeper structures of your retina, providing a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of your eye health.
OCT scans can also help identify potentially serious eye conditions at an earlier stage. For example, conditions such as glaucoma can often be detected atleast 4 years sooner than with traditional imaging methods.
What is the difference between an OCT scan and an eye test?
An OCT scan is different from a standard eye test. A routine eye test checks both your vision and overall eye health, including how clearly you can see and whether you need glasses or contact lenses.
As part of an eye test, your optician may take a photograph of the back of your eye (retinal imaging). However, an OCT scan goes a step further by providing a highly detailed, 3D view of the structures beneath the surface of the eye.
This allows your optician to examine the deeper layers of your retina in much greater detail, giving a more complete and accurate picture of your eye health.
In short, an OCT scan enhances a regular eye test by offering deeper insight and helping to detect potential issues at an earlier stage.
Why do I need an OCT scan?
OCT scans are recommended for anyone aged 25 or over who wants a more detailed understanding of their eye health. They are particularly beneficial for those with diabetes, glaucoma, or a family history of eye conditions.
Even if your vision and eye health seem perfectly normal, we recommend having an OCT scan alongside your regular eye test. This allows your optician to create a baseline image of your eyes, making it easier to monitor any subtle changes over time.
Much like standard retinal photography, these images can be stored and compared at future appointments—helping to detect potential issues earlier and track your eye health more accurately.
What is Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (ASOCT)?
Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (ASOCT) is a specialised, non-invasive scan that captures detailed images of the front section of the eye, known as the anterior segment.
This part of the eye plays a crucial role in vision. It controls how light enters the eye, allows it to pass through to the lens, and helps focus it onto the retina to form clear images. Key structures within this area include the cornea, iris, lens, sclera, ciliary body, and anterior chamber.
Although not used as routinely as standard OCT, ASOCT is highly effective in assessing and monitoring conditions affecting the front of the eye.
ASOCT can help detect and manage a range of conditions, including:
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Cataracts
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Anterior segment tumours
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Corneal diseases
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Eye injuries or trauma affecting the front of the eye
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Closed-angle glaucoma
What can an OCT scan detect?
An OCT scan is a highly effective way of confirming that your eyes are healthy, while also allowing changes to be monitored over time. This makes it particularly valuable for detecting potentially sight-threatening conditions—many of which develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages.
Because these conditions often affect the back of the eye, OCT technology enables your optician to examine this area in exceptional detail. It can identify even the most subtle changes in key structures, including the vitreous (the gel-like substance inside the eye), retina, macula (responsible for central vision), and optic nerve (which carries visual signals to the brain).
OCT scans can help detect and monitor a range of conditions,
including:
* Glaucoma
* Diabetic retinopathy
* Retinal detachment
* Age-related macular degeneration
* Macular holes In fact
OCT scans can detect signs of glaucoma up to four years earlier than some traditional methods, allowing for earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes.