You may be asked by the optometrist during your examination if you would like an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan. So that you can decide if you’d like an OCT scan at your appointment, please read the information below.
An OCT scan is not part of a routine or NHS sight test, but part of a more in-depth examination of the health of your eyes. Our OCT scanners are cutting edge, hospital grade technology allowing us to scan the back of your eyes to help contribute to a more detailed record of your eye health. This is particularly helpful in detecting and monitoring conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and in these cases, the scan allows us to form a more accurate diagnosis.
Even if you have no concerns about your eyes, a record of scans over time allows us to have baseline measurements of your eyes so that we can monitor any tiny changes as they occur. This extra information can lead to more accurate and often significantly earlier diagnosis of eye conditions as the scan allows the optometrist to see parts of the eyes that can not normally be viewed.
If you would like an OCT scan, the cost is £30.00, discounted to £10.00 if you are in receipt of means tested benefits such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit.