Optical Coherence Tomography
At Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main, we use advanced technology to accurately detect eye diseases and other ocular conditions. One such tool, optical coherence tomography (OCT), allows for the early diagnosis of serious eye conditions—many of which may not show noticeable symptoms in their initial stages.
OCT is a non-invasive scan of your retina that provides our eye doctors with detailed, 3D, color-coded, and cross-sectional images of the macula and the retina. These images enable us to detect early signs of eye disease, even before you notice symptoms.
What to expect during an OCT scan
During the test, you will sit in front of the OCT system while it scans your eyes. Nothing touches your eye, and the test is painless. The test takes about 5–10 minutes to complete.
How we use OCT to protect your vision
If your eye doctor recommends an OCT scan, it can help diagnose, monitor, and guide treatment for a variety of eye diseases and conditions, including:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Macular edema
- Glaucoma
- Drusen
- Retinal detachment, occlusions, or bleeding
- Macular hole
- Neovascularization
If you are at risk of developing an eye disease or have other factors in your health history, your Primary Eye Care doctor may recommend an OCT scan as part of your comprehensive eye exam. If you have already been diagnosed with an eye disease, an OCT scan will provide your doctor with valuable information to monitor your treatment.