Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a truly remarkable way of seeing and analysing the eye. The detail and information it provides is like nothing else previously seen in an eye examination. It's quick, painless and will save some people's sight (it already has done so for us on a few occasions).

Seeing the detail of the individual layers of the retina is the most accurate way of monitoring both "dry" & "wet" age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the best way to pick up any very early "wet" changes which are nearly impossible to detect with any other non-hospital tests. Earliest detection means earliest treatment, and this could make the difference between losing a significant amount of central vision and keeping most/all of it!

If you have dry macular degeneration, it does NOT mean that you will never have the wet type. In fact, certain types of dry AMD have a higher risk of becoming wet so everyone with any kind of macular changes should really have OCT.

In addition to this, there is a special scan to help early detection of glaucoma. Two layers of the retina are analysed and if the results are below the normal range, this could indicate (often before any visual loss occurs)  that glaucoma is suspected. As always, early detection is paramount to minimising sight loss.

So what are you waiting for? If you have a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or any other risk factors (eg diabetes, smoker, history of AMD) you should have this done. Unfortunately it is not included in the NHS standard eye examination so it needs to be done privately. The cost to have OCT is £30.