Looking after your eyes is about more than making sure you can see clearly. Regular eye exams also give your optometrist the opportunity to check the health of your eyes and look for any changes that may need attention.
At Derbyshire Opticians, we use advanced technology alongside our expertise to gain a detailed understanding of your eyes. One of the technologies available is Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT, which allows us to take an incredibly detailed look beneath the surface of the eye.
What is an OCT Scan?
OCT is a type of eye imaging that uses light to create detailed images of the structures inside your eye. It allows us to see the different layers of the retina and examine the optic nerve in much greater detail.
The scan is quick, painless and completely non-invasive. You simply look into the OCT scanner while it takes detailed images of your eyes.
What Are The Benefits of Having an OCT?
See more than a standard eye exam
An OCT scan provides additional information that may not be visible during a routine eye exam. It gives our optometrists a closer look at the retina and optic nerve, helping us build a more complete picture of your eye health.
Help identify changes
Some eye conditions can develop slowly and may not cause obvious changes to your vision in the early stages. OCT imaging can help us identify changes within the retina or optic nerve that could otherwise be difficult to detect.
OCT can be particularly helpful when assessing and monitoring conditions such as glaucoma, age related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.
If changes are identified, your optometrist can advise you on the most appropriate next steps, which may include monitoring, further investigation or referral where necessary.
Monitor your eyes from one appointment to the next
Your eyes naturally change over time, which is why being able to compare scans can be so useful. By keeping a record of your OCT images, we can compare them with future scans and look for changes over time.
This gives us a valuable reference point and can help us monitor specific areas of your eye health more closely.
Why Does This Matter?
It’s possible for changes to develop inside the eye without affecting your vision straight away. This is why regular eye exams are an important part of looking after your eyes, even if you feel that your sight is perfectly healthy.
An OCT scan doesn’t replace your regular eye exam. Instead, it works alongside it, giving our optometrists additional information and a more detailed view of the structures inside your eyes.
At Derbyshire Opticians, we combine advanced technology with personalised eyecare to help you understand and look after your vision and eye health.
If you’d like to find out more about OCT or book your next eye exam, contact your local practice or visit derbyshireopticians.co.uk.
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