Optical coherence tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT scan) is an important diagnostic tool in ophthalmology, used to assess, diagnose and monitor a range of retinal conditions. At AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, we use the latest, most sophisticated OCT system - the Heidelberg Spectralis - to visualise and analyse the retina.
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What is it for?
A type of scan that diagnoses and assesses a variety of retinal and macular conditions
What is optical coherence tomography used to test?
The major application of optical coherence tomography (OCT scan) is for diagnosing and monitoring retinal disease and glaucoma. However, it can also be used to monitor the progression of conditions that affect other areas within your eye.
OCT scans are most commonly used to diagnose and manage conditions, such as:
- Diabetic eye disease 鈥� A group of eye conditions (including diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema) caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels, which can lead to damage to the blood vessels in your retina. OCT can assess whether the damage caused to the blood vessels in your retina has resulted in diabetic macular oedema (swelling of the macula). OCT angiography can assess if the blood vessels in the retina and macula have been damaged by diabetes.
- Retinal vein occlusion 鈥� The blockage of a retinal vein, which prevents blood from leaving your retina, resulting in increased pressure inside your eye and swelling. OCT can assess whether a blocked retinal vein has led to macular oedema, and OCT angiography can assess the integrity of the remaining blood supply.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 鈥� A disease that occurs when the macula begins to show signs of ageing. It can be caused by a build-up of deposits on the macula (dry AMD) or leaking blood vessels underneath or within the macula (wet AMD). Most commonly, OCT is used to diagnose and monitor wet AMD, in which abnormal blood vessels leak and damage the retina. OCT angiography can show the abnormal new blood vessels.
- Glaucoma 鈥� A condition that occurs when your eye鈥檚 drainage channels become blocked, leading to a build-up of pressure within the eye that can damage your optic nerve. OCT is used to assess whether this increased pressure has resulted in any damage to the optic nerve.
- Central serous chorioretinopathy 鈥� An eye condition that occurs when fluid builds up under the retina, causing a localised detachment of the retina. OCT can be used to detect and monitor central serous chorioretinopathy.
- Macular hole 鈥� A condition in which a hole develops in your macula when the vitreous (the clear gel that fills the eye) shrinks with age and pulls away from the macula. OCT can provide a clear image of the macula so that your consultant can confirm a diagnosis of macular hole.
- Uveitis 鈥� An inflammation of the eye that can lead to fluid in the macula. OCT can help your consultant to view the inside of your eye clearly, allowing them to assess any macular fluid. OCT angiography can assess the effect of uveitis on the blood vessels.
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Preparing for Your OCT Scan
You don鈥檛 need to do anything to prepare for your optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. When you arrive, the nurses will show you where to sit and rest your chin (on a support which is attached to the machine). You鈥檒l need to focus your eyes on an illuminated target within the apparatus.
During the OCT Scan
Once the procedure starts, the equipment will scan one eye at a time. You may see a red line while you are having the scan; however, nothing will touch your eye. The scan only takes a few minutes to create the images of the back of your eye.
Review and Next Steps
The images will be made available almost instantly, meaning your consultant will be able to review them straight away. However, they may need time to compare your current scans to older scans, if you鈥檝e had an OCT scan done before. Once they鈥檝e drawn their conclusion, they will talk you through what the images show and may use the images so that you can see what they are referring to.
Why choose AOA体育平台 Eye Centre?
Unparalleled, outstanding eye care
AOA体育平台 Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our clinicians, nurses and support teams are dedicated to providing bespoke care, centred around our patients. They鈥檒l be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you鈥檙e in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
Our Eye Centre simplifies your path to eye health. We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on yourself.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
OCT is generally considered a risk-free procedure, though you may experience some dryness or eye fatigue temporarily following the scan.
You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this diagnostic. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally.
Alternatively, you can pay for yourself (self-pay). If you are paying for yourself, we have finance options available with .
Find out more about paying for your diagnostics and treatments here.
To book an appointment, call us today on: 0203 553 3670