Can an OCT scan detect macular degeneration?

With an OCT, doctors are able to see a cross section or 3D image of the retina and detect the early onset of a variety of eye conditions and eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy (the top three diseases known to cause blindness).

What is an OCT macula test?

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging test. OCT uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of your retina. With OCT, your ophthalmologist can see each of the retina’s distinctive layers. This allows your ophthalmologist to map and measure their thickness.

Why is OCT macula test done?

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a commonly performed diagnostic test designed to assist your doctor in identifying retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease).

How expensive is OCT?

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a well-established medical imaging system that has become an essential retinal imaging tool for ophthalmologists. However, their cost of up to $150,000 for clinical systems has restricted access to only large eye centers.

Is OCT eye test safe?

How does OCT work? Very similar to Ultrasound, OCT uses light waves rather than sound waves to get a 3D scan of your retina. There are no harmful x-rays involved and the scan is perfectly safe for everyone’s eyes and body.

Is an OCT eye test worth it?

Even if your vision and eye health are perfectly fine, we still recommend an OCT scan with every eye test. It’s really useful for your optician to have a baseline image on file, so they can monitor any changes over time. It’s the same as when we take an image of the back of your eye with digital retinal photography.

How long does an OCT eye scan take?

From start to finish, an OCT exam takes about 10 minutes. The exam is non-invasive and painless. You simply place your chin into a chin rest and keep your eye open as you look at a target (often a blinking dot or a small picture). Then, without touching it, the OCT machine scans your eye.

Can you drive after an OCT scan?

Most patients find dilation painless, although some light sensitivity is to be expected. You’ll still be able to drive yourself home from the exam, but make sure you bring a pair of sunglasses to help with the light sensitivity.

How much is ocular coherence tomography?

However, the most significant limitation of using OCT at the point-of-care is its high cost. In the field of ophthalmology, the price of a commercial OCT system can range between $40 000 and $150 000 [55], and thus availability is usually restricted to large eye centers or hospitals [56].

Are OCT scans useful?

These scans can help to detect sight-threatening eye conditions. They are particularly useful for detecting conditions that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, until they started to affect your vision. Generally the earlier eye conditions are noticed, the easier they are to treat.