Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

OCT is short for Optical Coherence Tomography. This non-invasive imaging test examines the fundus of your eye (retina, optic nerve, and macula).

It’s always up to your ophthalmologist to decide when this examination is needed however the following diseases usually require an optical coherence tomography at some point:

retina diseases
age related macular degeneration (AMD)
glaucoma
diabetic eye disease

During the examination light waves are being used to take cross-section pictures of your retina and the fundus of your eye. Sometimes it’s necessary to use dilating eye drops in order to let the light get into your eyes deeper.

Your ophthalmologist will instruct you what to do through the exam but you will likely need to stay still, with your eyes wide open and try to avoid blinking.

If dilating eye drops are used you might experience blurred vision for a short time, but as soon as the effect wears off (usually in 6-8 hours) you’ll have no other side-effects and you’ll see clearly. The examination is painless, quick and non-invasive.

As OCT exams come with zero side-effects and risks. From the examination your doctor will receive important information about the problems, lesions of your eye. This way the ophthalmologist will be able to make a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan.