Bedford Eye Care Centre providing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning!

OCT image of the retina showing retinal swelling

The Bedford Eye Care Centre is pleased to announce the introduction of a revolutionary new eye care instrument to our office, the OCT. (Optical Coherence Tomographer)

This amazing instrument allows our doctors to view the retina in unprecedented detail. Until now, we were only able to look at the surface of the retina. The OCT allows us to view the retinal structure right down to the cellular level. 

3D retinal analysis

The OCT allows us to detect and diagnose eye diseases at much earlier stages. This is not a routine test and is normally ordered by your optometrist if she suspects some form of pathology in the eye that needs to be investigated in more detail.

OCT glaucoma analysis

The OCT performs a myriad of tests, but is primarily used in the analysis of diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic damage to the retina, drug toxicity, glaucoma and retinal disease.

OCT image of the cornea

The OCT at the Bedford Eye Care Centre also has the capability of analyzing the cornea or the front surface of the eye, as well as the iris (coloured part of the eye) and the lens. This allows us to detect corneal diseases early and do additional testing for glaucoma and laser surgery and cataract assessments.

Microperimetry is another feature of this particular OCT which allows the doctors to accurately map the sensitivity of any area of the retina. This can be particularly useful in glaucoma detection, but also allows us to diagnose ocular tumours and check for damage from drugs that can be toxic to the retina.

The instrument also stores your data so that repeat measurements can be compared by the computer to previous scans.

If a disease is detected that requires referral to an Ophthalmologist, the OCT images can be sent to the eye surgeon prior to your appointment.