The 3D Difference – A Look Below the Surface
Imagine a standard retina photograph as a photo of a coconut, you can see if its cracked, but you don't know if it has coconut milk inside. An OCT scan works like an ultrasound, using light waves, creating a cross-section through the tissue, mapping the microscopic layers in 3D detail.
This advanced technology enables your optometrist to see and measure the thickness of each layer, providing them with a deep view where they can identify any serious eye conditions long before they start negatively impacting your vision.
What OCT Scans Can Detect Early
OCT scans peel back the layers of your eye, showing early detection of three major sight-threatening conditions, including:
- Glaucoma – a condition that damages the optic nerve due to a build up of internal eye pressure. OCT scans measure microscopic thinning of the optic nerve fibre layers, enabling optometrists to catch the disease early, long before you experience symptoms
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration – OCT scans identify microscopic pocks or fluid, along with subtle deposits that are growing between the deep retinal layers far before standard tests can identify AMD
- Diabetic Retinopathy – OCT scans are invaluable to patients managing diabetes. The scan is effective in detecting minor fluid leaks and swelling deep inside the issues before any surface bleeding occurs.
Conclusion
Your eyes can appear healthy on the outside, but an OCT scan can provide any advanced warning that you may have an eye disease that requires early intervention. This is a comprehensive test that enables your optometrist to gain a clear view of your retina, breaking down the layers, catching any diseases early, while they are still treatable. Contact EyeSmile Optical today to book your OCT Scan without delay.
Written by the EyeSmile clinical team — dental and optical clinicians in Whitton, Twickenham. This article is for general information only and does not constitute clinical advice.
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