OCT Scanner

Here at Fitzsimons Opticians we have recently installed a state-of-the-art OCT scanner. OCT – Ocular Coherence Tomography is an advanced eye scan, similar to ultrasound, which produces a 3D image to illustrate the different layers making up the back of the eye. Using these images we can now quickly and effectively detect several eye conditions which might go undedected using traditional eye tests. These include age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma, macular holes and vitreous detachments.

By having an OCT scan carried out, we can have an invaluable, on-going record of the health and condition of your eyes. There is a small charge of £30 to have this OCT scan done, but the benefits are obvious.

The retina, which is the back of the eye, is sensitive to light and transmits the signals of light received by the eye to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and converts them to what we know as vision.The retina is a window to the vasculature (blood vessels) within the body and many undiagnosed systemic vascular diseases can be discovered with thorough retinal examination. An OCT scan can help us to discover these diseases. It optically slices through the thickness of the retina and images what appears under the retina. It’s like slicing through a cake and seeing all the invisible layers below the upper surface. The results of this can allow us to treat the disease and potentially save vision and can also reduce the risk of morbidity from life threatening diseases.

4. Macular holes

A macular hole is a small hole in the macular – the part of the retina which is responsible for our sharp, detailed, central vision. This is the vision we use when we are looking directly at things, when reading, sewing or using a computer. There are many causes of macular holes. One is caused by vitreous detachment, when the vitreous pulls away from the back of the eye and sometimes it does not ‘let go’ and eventually tears the retina, leaving a hole. Extreme exposure to sunlight (for example staring at the sun during an eclipse) can also cause a macular hole to develop.

5. Vitreous detachments

Vitreomacular traction can clearly be diagnosed through OCT providing invaluable information about the current relationship between the vitreous and the retinal surface of the eye. As people get older the vitreous jelly that takes up the space in our eyeball can change. It becomes less firm and can move away from the back of the eye towards the centre, in some cases parts do not detach and cause ‘pulling’ of the retinal surface. The danger of a vitreous detachment is that there is no pain and your eyesight will seem unchanged but the back of your eye may be being damaged.

Contact Us

Opening Hours