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What Is an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Test?

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What Is an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Test?

An optometrist performing an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) test on a patient

Not Just A Pretty Picture

An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test may sound like a mouthful, but the procedure itself is a little more straightforward. An OCT is a non-invasive test that allows your optometrist to take cross-section pictures of your retina using light waves

An OCT employs a laser (with no radiation) to obtain high-resolution images of the layers of the eye’s retina and the optic nerve. Your eye doctor can use these colour-coded images to scan for irregularities in the optic nerve, and accurately measure the thickness of the retina. 

The clear, 3D images provided by an OCT test can help patients visualize any problems they may be experiencing with their eyesight.

An OCT scan provides a clear map to help your eye doctor find areas of the eye with abnormalities or early damage. It’s vital to catch eye conditions in the early stages to prevent damage to a patient’s vision. 

Diagnosing vision problems in the early stages can allow your optometrist to provide preventative treatment for conditions including glaucoma, and retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

OCT has been described as a safe, non-invasive ultrasound for your eye, using light instead of sound waves to create a map of the retina and optic nerve. Guided waves of light provide a precise 3D image of the eye’s structure, without making direct contact with the patient’s eyes. 

Because OCT relies on waves of light, it is not effective for any condition that affects how light passes through the eye, including cataracts

How Can OCT Help? 

OCT is used to diagnose a variety of eye conditions, like: 

  • Diabetic retinopathy: This condition occurs when blood glucose levels are high for extended periods, causing damage to your eyes’ blood vessels and the retina. 
  • Macular holes: This condition occurs when there’s an opening or tear in the macula, resulting in blurry central vision. 
  • Macular pucker: A macular pucker is a wrinkle in the macula that creates a wavy spot in your central vision.  
  • Macular edema: When there’s a fluid back-up in your macula, it’s called macular edema. This condition can result in colours appearing washed out, and blurry vision. 
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD occurs as the macula slowly deteriorates throughout the ageing process. 
  • Central serous retinopathy: This condition may lead to retinal detachment, which requires emergency care.
  • Glaucoma: This condition results from a build-up of fluid at the front of your eye, which can result in damage to the optic nerve. 
A view of what appears on the screen and what is measured on a OCT scan

OCT & Glaucoma 

Patients at risk of developing glaucoma can benefit from an OCT scan, as the images can help evaluate the anterior angle of the eye. The anterior angle is an essential part of the eyes’ anatomy that operates as the drainage channel for fluid. 

When the drainage channel is not working correctly, it can lead to an increase in eye pressure. This pressure causes damage to the optic nerve and can result in vision loss.

An OCT provides your optometrist with detailed, multi-level images of the anterior angle. These images can help determine severity, and distinguish between types of glaucoma, such as:

An optometrist can conduct OCT scans in darkened rooms, which allows for quick and accurate results. The position of the eye’s anterior angle in a dark room is a vital step in diagnosing acute closed-angle glaucoma.  

Should I Have an OCT Test? 

An OCT exam may be recommended by your optometrist as part of your routine eye exam if: 

  • You are over age 25
  • You are at risk of developing eye disease
  • You have been diagnosed with an eye disease
  • You have any detected abnormalities in your retinal layers 
  • You are experiencing thickening of retinal layers 
  • You are being treated for an eye disease that requires monitoring 

Your OCT Scan  

Your optometrist may use eye drops to dilate your pupils, allowing for a more accessible retinal examination. Once your pupils are dilated, you will be asked to sit in front of the OCT machine with your head resting on the support to encourage stillness. 

Once in the proper position, your eye doctor will advise you to look into the device’s lens, which contains a blinking target. At this point, the machine scans your eye with no physical contact. The OCT test is completed in approximately 5 to 10 seconds. 

If your optometrist used dilating eye drops before the exam, your eyes might be sensitive to light for a few hours afterward. 

Keeping a Sharp Eye on Your Health 

If you have questions about OCT tests or would like to book an appointment, do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced team at Calgary Family Eye Doctors

Written by
Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Dr. Gerlitz was born and raised in Calgary, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta. After graduation, Dr. Gerlitz went on to study Optometry at the University of Waterloo. In her final year of study, Dr. Gerlitz interned with ophthalmologists in Florida as part of her Ocular Disease and Therapeutics rotation. This experience inspired Dr. Gerlitz’s passion for managing conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye.

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Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

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