OCT Scan

Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) is the latest advancement in eyecare imaging. Unlike standard eye imaging equipment, an OCT scan is able to examine the eye below its surface, where serious sight threatening conditions can begin. It’s very quick to perform, is completely painless and non-invasive and your results are available instantly, giving both you and ourselves a better view and understanding of your eyes’ health.

Standard eye imaging equipment is only able to capture the surface of the back of the eye, but an Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan is able to capture a three-dimensional, cross-sectional image under the retina, making it one of the most advanced health checks available today. The below image shows a scan from the OCT machine, giving an excellent view of the different layers under the retina.

OCT uses light to illustrate the different layers that make up the back of your eye, which along with a digital photo of the surface of your eye, allows us to determine any potential problems, by cross referencing the two images.

The Retina, the multi-layered sensory tissue lining the back of the eye, is sensitive to light and it transmits the signals of light received by the eye to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and converts them to what we know as vision. The most detail-sensitive part of the eye is at the centre of the retina and is called the macula.

The retina is a window to the vasculature (blood vessels) within the body and many undiagnosed systemic vascular diseases can be discovered with thorough retinal examination. Recognising these findings can potentially save vision and provide the earliest signs of age related macular degeneration, retinal detachments and glaucoma.

OCT scans are available in our Nottingham practice during your standard eye examination, for a small extra charge. If you wish to have an OCT scan performed during your eye examination, please specify this at the time of booking.