Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Cooper & Lourie Family Optometrists use the most up-to-date 3D OCT. The Topcon Maestro and the Optovue RTVue OCTs  offer Macula OCT, Glaucoma OCT, Fundus photography and corneal thickness measurements. The high definition scan image does this with a high speed 50,000 A-scan/sec with a simple operation.

These impressive instruments are designed to look at  cross section scans through the retina, which can detect signs of macula problems and also early signs of Glaucoma. Having a OCT performed every 2 years can monitor any changes that can occur in the retina and especially the macula region. The images taken by OCT can be sent to you by e-mail to your home computer or mobile device.

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Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a powerful non-invasive diagnostic imaging technology. It provides very high detailed, 3-dimensional & cross sectional images of the light sensitive retinal tissue at the back of the eye. This device with accompanying analysis software provides the ophthalmic practitioner with invaluable information to evaluate the health of the retina and aid diagnosis for retinal disease and glaucoma. OCT provides virtual microscopic images of the eye and allows the practitioner to precisely monitor changes over a series of visits.

We use the Optovue RTVue and Topcon Maesto 3D OCTs, which utilise the latest technology and in our view provides the best images and analysis software. A 3D scan comprising of 100 million pixels (bits of data) can be acquired in 2 seconds with a depth resolution (detail) of 0.005 millimetres.

An OCT examination may be advised in the following circumstances:

• During a routine eye examination an abnormality is detected at the back of the eye.
• Patients who may be at increased risk of developing a retinal disease.
• Patients who may be at increased risk of developing glaucoma.
• Patients with higher than normal intraocular pressure.
• Patients with visual field loss.
• Decreased vision possibly due to macular problems.

The macula is a very small area in the central part of the retina, with the central portion of the macula, the fovea being only about the size of the head of a pin. This specialized area is responsible for the detailed visual acuity necessary for daily tasks.

An OCT is typically the best device available to detect and monitor a range of macular conditions including macular degeneration, traction, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, diabetic retinal disease and oedema.

Macula and Optic Nerve Head

Vitreo-macular Traction

Epiretinal Membrane

Glaucoma is a disease resulting in damage to the nerve fibres that connect the retina to the brain. Increased pressure in the eye is often a factor in the development of glaucoma.  As damaged nerve fibres cannot regenerate, early detection and treatment is imperative to avert further progression. The RTVue OCT isolates and analyses the retinal nerve layers as well as the optic nerve head where the nerves exit the eye. Furthermore the RTVue software compares these parameters to normal expected values for both age and ethnic group, providing the eye care practitioner with the necessary information to make an informed decision for management and treatment.

Optic Nerve Head

Other factors also play into the diagnosis and management of glaucoma, including the anatomy of the drainage system in the front chamber of the eye and also the thickness of the cornea. The RTVue provides useful information on these critical factors.

Evaluation of anterior chamber