Ocular Coherence Tomography
(OCT)
From Gathercole & Ward Opticians, using the latest technology in Huntingdon and Ramsey.
Diagnosis and treatment
At Gathercole & Ward Opticians, we have some of the latest technology that helps with the early diagnosis and treatment of several eye conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and more!
Ocular Coherence Tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging method that provides detailed views of the retina and optic nerve. Similar to ultrasound, OCT allows us to observe the back of the eye, capturing cross-sectional images. By measuring reflections from within the tissue, OCT generates a picture of the retina, aiding in the detection and monitoring of changes. It's beneficial for spotting severe eye conditions like glaucoma up to four years earlier than traditional methods.
More about OCT
The OCT scan has an additional charge, but the benefits are apparent. Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your eyes are in excellent condition.
A step-by-step approach
An eye scan is simple and painless; follow the steps below to bring peace of mind.
Step 1 - Book an appointment with your optometrist
Step 2 - The optometrist will scan your eyes using the state-of-the-art 3D OCT camera from Topcon
Step 3 - The high-resolution 3D images are examined by the optometrist using specialist built-in analysis tools
Step 4 - The results are presented & explained to you.
Step 5 - Any future scans can be compared with previous ones for comparative diagnosis
What will happen
Using a Topcon state-of-the-art 3D OCT camera, your optometrist will take both a digital photograph and a three dimensional cross sectional scan of the back of your eye in one sitting. This allows us to instantly diagnose a number of common conditions. The scan is non-invasive, painless, simple and quick.
Glaucoma
his is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness affecting 70 million people worldwide. Since there are few symptoms in the early stages, most people are unaware of having glaucoma and when loss of vision is experienced, damage is irreversible. This disease damages the Optic Nerve Head and can affect anyone. A simple, non-contact, pain-free test using the Heidelberg HRT 3 can detect glaucoma before it progresses and allow for early treatment.
Macular Degeneration
The macula is the central part of the retina at the back of the eye and is used for detailed vision. As the eye ages, this central area can suffer from ‘wear and tear’ – a process known as macular degeneration. This can cause a gradual deterioration of detailed central vision, peripheral vision often remains unaffected. Eventually an ‘empty’ area can develop in the centre of the vision, which causes difficulty with tasks such as reading, driving and watching television. Treatment is possible for a small number of people with a specific type of macular degeneration.