OCT Retinal Imaging

Our Services

OCT 3D Retinal imaging & Low Vision Assessments (LVA)

Ocular Coherence Tomography

Ocular Coherence Tomography – is an advanced eye scan for people of all ages. Similar to ultrasound, OCT uses light rather than sound waves to illustrate the different layers that make up the back of your eye. The OCT machine captures both a fundus photograph and a cross-sectional scan of the back of the eye at the same time.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

“I am eternally and immensely grateful to Fiona for spotting the (retinal) irregularity, and also to the practice as a whole for having the machinery in place to find something before it became a massive sight problem for me.”

MRS C, APRIL 2020

Ocular Coherence Tomography

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. What’s more, the software can automatically detect even the most subtle changes to the retina with every eye test you take. This gives you an invaluable ongoing record of the health and condition of your eyes.

There is an additional charge for the OCT scan, but the benefits are obvious. So you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your eyes are in great condition.

WE RECOMMEND YOU HAVE AN OCT SCAN IF –

  • You are over 60
  • You are over 40 and short sighted
  • You have diabetes
  • If you have Glaucoma or a family history of glaucoma
  • If you have any retinal abnormalities
  • If there is any history or any eye problems

FAQ

Who can have one? Anyone can have a OCT even if it’s for your own interest.

How long does it take? – Normally only a few minutes and can be doe part of your eye exam

Can I have OCT done elsewhere? – This is an hospital grade instrument, Having a scan done at a private hospital will cost £300 +

How much does this cost? – There is an additional charge for the OCT scan of £45, but the benefits are obvious. So you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your eyes are in great condition.

What does it show?

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration causes the gradual breakdown  of the macular (the central portion of the retina). OCT can identify this condition and its type (there are two types, wet and dry) and also monitor its progress, for example if you are undergoing treatment for such a condition. Unfortunately the risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age, and it is the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over the  age of fifty.

Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of visual impairment among adults. Here in the UK, more than two million people have been identified as having diabetes. OCT examination enables early detection, which greatly improves the success rate of treatment.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye. Recent statistics suggest that some form of glaucoma affects around two in every 100 people over the age of 40. The danger with chronic glaucoma is that there is no pain and your eyesight will seem to be unchanged, but your vision is being damaged. An OCT examination will confirm if you are at risk, or indeed what stage of glaucoma you may have.

Macular holes

Macular holes A macular hole is a small hole in the macular – the part of the retina which is responsible for our sharp, detailed, central vision. This is the vision we use when we are looking directly at things, when reading, sewing or using a computer.

There are many causes of macular holes. One is caused by vitreous detachment, when the vitreous pulls away from the back of the eye and sometimes it does not ‘let go’ and eventually tears the retina, leaving a hole. Extreme exposure to sunlight (for example staring at the sun during an eclipse) can also cause a macular hole to develop.

Vitreous detachment

Vitreous detachments Vitreomacular traction can clearly be diagnosed through OCT providing invaluable information about the current relationship between the vitreous and the retinal surface of the eye.

As people get older the vitreous jelly that takes up the space in our eyeball can change. It becomes less firm and can move away from the back of the eye towards the centre, in some cases parts do not detach and cause ‘pulling’ of the retinal surface. The danger of a vitreous detachment is that there is no pain and your eyesight will seem unchanged but the back of your eye may be being damaged.

Step By step

Having an eye scan is simple and painless, just follow the steps below to bring about 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 to you

Step 5 Any future scans can be compared with previous ones for comparative diagnosis

Low Vision Aid (LVA) Assessments

We also carry our Low Vision Aid (LVA) assessments for patients who are sight impaired or severely sight impaired.  We carry a wide range of specialist magnifiers, including illuminated hand magnifiers, illuminated stand magnifiers and electronic magnifiers for these patients. Patients who are registered with 4sight, Worthing hospital can have the costs of a low vision assessment and magnifier (excluding digital magnifiers) covered by the NHS.  For more information, please go to  http://www.4sight.org.uk/

Want to make an Appointment?

Please call us on 01243 786600 or 01243 786590.

We welcome Private and NHS patients.

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