What Is an OCT Scan and Why Is It Important for My Eye Health?
During your most recent eye exam, you may have heard your eye doctor mention the importance of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as part of your eye care. But what exactly is OCT and when and why is it important?
What Is an OCT Scan?
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina. It works by illuminating the retina with light and measuring the reflections as light bounces back through the tissue. The information collected is used to construct detailed images of the retina, which can be used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
Why Would My Eye Doctor Recommend an OCT Scan?
Your eye doctor may decide that an OCT test is important to add to your eye exam for a number of reasons, including:
- To monitor the progression of an existing eye condition such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy
- To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for an existing eye condition
- To screen for eye conditions such as glaucoma or retinal detachment
- To detect early signs of eye disease in patients who are at high risk, such as individuals with a family history of eye disease, those with diabetes, or those who have had previous eye surgery
If you have symptoms such as blurry vision, floaters, or difficulty seeing in low light, speak to our eye care team at St. Clairsville Eyecare about whether an OCT test might be helpful in maintaining your vision and eye health.
Want to learn more? Come visit our St. Clairsville eye clinic or give us a call at (740) 695-0444.