Why Should I Include the OCT in My Eye Examination?

Our essential plus eye examinations at our Matlock practice include Optical Coherence Tomography, also known as OCT, but what is it and why do we advise you to include it in your exam?

An eye examination is performed to not only update your prescription, but also to assess the health of the eye. Many opticians now use technology to provide them with a more in-depth view of the eye, collecting data on its health and the OCT is one of the top pieces of equipment used in the industry.

The OCT allows our Optometrists to gain a full understanding of your overall eye health by scanning the eye to create a 3D image. This image shows the different layers of the retina and optic nerve in detail. From this the Optometrist can map out the layers and measure their thickness, detecting any eye conditions like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy in their earliest stages, often before you have noticed any symptoms.

By including OCT in your regular eye examinations, it allows the Optometrist to compare the scans to the previous ones noting any subtle changes to the thickness of the layers. The earlier conditions such as glaucoma are detected with the use of these scans, the quicker treatment can begin, preventing the loss of vision.

For more information about OCT or our eye examinations, contact our Matlock practice today.