See more with an OCT eye scan
Some changes in your eyes can begin long before you notice a difference in your vision. An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan gives our optometrists an incredibly detailed view of the structures within your eyes, helping us spot subtle changes that may warrant further investigation. Quick, painless and non-invasive, it gives us a clearer picture of your eye health today and something valuable to compare against in the future. OCT complements rather than replaces the other parts of your eye examination.
What is an OCT scan?
An OCT scan is an advanced eye health scan that creates detailed, Cross sectional (3D) the structures inside your eye. While traditional retinal photography allows your optometrist a view of the structures inside your eyes, OCT technology allows us a more detailed view, looking at its individual retinal layers in much greater detail.
Why have an OCT scan?
A deeper look at your eye health
Your eyesight is only one part of the picture. An OCT scan allows us to look more closely at the health and structure of your eyes.
Spot subtle changes sooner
Some eye conditions can develop gradually and may have few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Detailed imaging can help your optometrist identify signs that need further investigation or monitoring.
Build a picture over time
One of the biggest benefits of OCT is comparison. Your scan can provide a valuable baseline record of your eyes. At future appointments, new images can be compared with previous scans, helping us identify even subtle changes over time.
Quick and comfortable
There's no contact with your eye and the scan itself takes just seconds. Simply look into the scanner while it captures the images your optometrist needs.
What can an OCT scan help identify?
Glaucoma
Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve, often without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. OCT allows us to examine and measure the nerve fibre layers around the optic nerve, helping us identify and monitor changes.
Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula the part of your retina responsible for detailed central vision. OCT gives us a detailed view of this area and can help identify changes within its layers.
Diabetic eye disease
Diabetes can cause changes to the blood vessels and tissues at the back of the eye. OCT imaging can provide additional information about the retina and help identify changes that may require monitoring or further investigation.
Macular conditions
Detailed cross-sectional images of the macula can help identify changes associated with conditions such as macular holes and other abnormalities affecting central vision.
Should I have an OCT scan?
You don't need to be experiencing problems with your vision to benefit from an OCT scan.
It can be particularly valuable if you:
- Want a more detailed understanding of your eye health
- Have a family history of eye disease
- Have diabetes
- Have glaucoma or are at increased risk of developing it
- Have previously had changes identified at the back of your eye
- Want to establish a baseline that can be compared at future eye examinations
Even when your eyes appear healthy, having an OCT scan gives us a detailed record to refer back to helping us monitor your eye health throughout the years.
What happens during an OCT scan?
Having an OCT scan is simple. You'll sit in front of the scanner and rest your chin comfortably on the support. You'll then be asked to look at a target while the scanner captures detailed images of your eye.
The scan is:
Quick – the images are captured in seconds.
Painless – nothing touches your eye.
Non-invasive – OCT uses light to create its detailed images.
Your optometrist will then review your scan alongside the other results from your eye examination and talk you through anything they find.