What is an OCT scan of the eye?
An OCT scan is a painless, non-invasive eye test that uses light waves to create images of the retina. This technology can help eye specialists detect eye diseases and disorders in their early stages so they can be treated before it’s too late. The scan takes seconds and offers clear images for analysis without causing any discomfort or pain. If you’re interested in getting an OCT scan done, this post will discuss what is an OCT scan of the eye in more depth, how they are performed and how a scan can help you.
What is an OCT scan of the eye?
The eye is one of the most important organs in our body. The protection of our vision should be high on the list of priorities for those seeking to take the best care of their health. An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan is a technique used by opticians and other specialists to investigate diseases of the eye. The high-resolution images produced by then scan allow your optician to see what’s going on inside your eyes and help with the early diagnosis of a range of health issues.
Early diagnosis of serious health conditions
As a diagnostic tool, an OCT scan can highlight any serious health conditions that affect your retina or optic nerve. This examination has many benefits in diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma and more.
The OCT scan provides 3D images of the inside of your eye without having to use any dyes or radiation. The images created by OCT scans tend to be very detailed because they’re made up of a collection of light waves rather than just one beam like with ultrasound or MRI scanning equipment. This means that it’s possible to see far more information about your eyes on an OCT scan image compared with other types of imaging devices, which makes opticians’ jobs much easier when it comes to identifying potential health issues.
The scans are usually very quick, taking your optician less than a minute to get enough images for a thorough analysis, as well as being comfortable and completely painless too. Having an OCT scan during your next eye test could help diagnose potential issues early and save you from developing serious health conditions like macular degeneration or glaucoma later in life.
Book your OCT scan today
If you’re due for an eye test in the Cardigan area, make sure to ask your optician about having an OCT scan when booking your appointment. An extra five minutes added to your appointment could save you from developing a serious health condition in the future.
If you’re looking for an optician in Cardigan that offers OCT scanning as part of their range of eye tests, call our clinic or book your next eye test online at Pritchard Cowburn Opticians today.