How Often Should I Get an OCT Scan of My Eyes?
Are you certain your eyes are as healthy as they seem, or could an OCT scan reveal something more? Could skipping your regular OCT scan put your eye health at risk?
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) eye scans are an essential part of modern eye care. Unlike traditional examination tools which only look at the visible (2D) surfaces of your eye, an OCT scan can analyse layer, by layer the inner health and structures of your eyeball. This makes it a valuable tool for your optometrist. In many cases it allows early intervention before symptoms of eye conditions are even noticeable to the patient.
I’m Dr. Jotinder Khosla. An optometrist at Optometrist Parramatta. In this blog, I’ll explain why regular OCT scans are so important for keeping your eyes in top shape. My goal is to provide you with clear, practical information that will help you make the best decisions for your vision and long-term eye care.
Still curious about how an OCT scan works? Keep reading to learn more.
3 Key Takeaways:
OCT scans provide detailed 3-D images of the retina and optic nerve, enabling early detection of serious eye conditions.
Regular OCT scans are essential for high-risk individuals.
Anyone over the age of 40 should have an OCT scan at least once, to establish a baseline for eye health monitoring.
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How Does an Optical Coherence Tomographer Work?
At its core, the OCT machine uses low-power infrared light waves to create high-resolution, cross-sectional 3-D images of the retina, the delicate tissue at the back of your eye. These light waves are what allow us to analyse your visual system in a way that other imaging technologies simply cannot.
The process begins when a beam of light is directed into your eye. This light is split into two paths—one that travels into the eye and another that serves as a reference. When the light beam hits your retina, some of it is reflected back. The OCT machine then measures the time it takes for the reflected light to return. By comparing the light reflected from the eye to the reference light, the machine can map out the different layers of the retina with incredible precision.
One of the most impressive aspects of OCT is its ability to measure retinal thickness. By capturing detailed images of the retina, OCT allows us to assess the overall health of each layer. For instance, changes in thickness can be early indicators of conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
Additionally, the entire process is non-invasive and doesn’t require any direct contact with the eye. This makes it not only comfortable but also safe for repeated use, allowing us to track changes over time. The combination of speed, precision, and safety makes OCT a vital tool for monitoring ongoing conditions such as glaucoma and other retinal diseases. With this technology, we can ensure that any eye health concerns are detected early and treated appropriately.
If you’d like to know a little more about the background and applications of Ocular Coherence Tomography, watch the following short animated video.
How Often Should You Get an OCT Scan?
The frequency of your Optical Coherence Tomography scan depends largely on your individual risk factors, current eye health, and any underlying conditions. Let’s break down the recommendations based on different risk profiles:
High-risk individuals: For those who have diabetes, glaucoma, or a family history of serious eye diseases, it is necessary to have an OCT scan annually. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy, while glaucoma can cause optic nerve damage due to increased eye pressure. These conditions often progress without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular scans help detect any signs of damage early, providing an opportunity for timely intervention and treatment.
Healthy individuals: Even if you don’t have any known eye conditions, it’s still beneficial to have an OCT scan every 2-3 years. Why? Because an OCT scan helps establish a baseline for your retinal health, so if any changes occur in the future, we have previous images to compare them with.
Anyone over 40: As a preventative measure, we suggest that anyone aged 40 and over undergo an initial OCT scan if they haven’t had one before, just to establish a baseline for their retinal health. This is particularly important as eye conditions tend to increase in prevalence with age.
People experiencing sudden vision changes: For those who experience symptoms like blurred vision, dark spots, or flashes of light, an OCT scan should be scheduled immediately. These are warning signs that could indicate retinal detachment, macular degeneration, or other serious conditions. Time is critical in these cases.
By following the recommended schedule based on your risk profile, you can safeguard your eyes and enjoy peace of mind knowing that any changes will be detected and threatening conditions managed early.
What Happens During an OCT Scan Appointment
What can you expect when you come in for a 3D scan of your eyes? The process is simple and quick, taking less than 15 minutes. Most of the time, no special preparation is needed, though we may occasionally use eye drops to dilate your pupils if necessary. Once you’re ready, you’ll sit in front of the OCT machine, with your chin resting on a support. All you have to do is focus on a green target while the scan captures images of your retina.
The scan itself is completely painless and non-invasive, with no direct contact to your eyes. Each scan takes less than a minute, and we may take multiple images to ensure we get the clearest view of your retina. After the scan is complete, I’ll review the images with you, explaining any findings and what they mean for your eye health. These images will be saved in your file for future comparison, allowing us to track any changes in your eyes over time.
An OCT scan is a quick, comfortable procedure that provides us with valuable information about the health of your eyes, helping ensure your vision stays as sharp as possible. At the time of writing, we charge $AUD 80 for an OCT scan.
CONCLUSION
OCT scans are a non-invasive, advanced imaging test that provides detailed 3D images of the retina and optic nerve. The procedure is painless and non-invasive with no contact to your eye and no side effects. You simply sit comfortably in front of the machine, and we do the rest.
People with a high risk factor like diabetes should have an OCT scan annually to monitor eye health. OCT scans allow optometrists to track changes in your retina over time, ensuring early intervention if needed. Without OCT scans, eye conditions can develop silently, causing permanent damage before noticeable vision problems arise.
Take charge of your eye care now by booking an OCT scan to ensure any potential problems are caught early.
To make an appointment, give us a call at 02 9891 2020 or click the “Book Online” button on our website.
Dr Jotinder Khosla – Optometrist
B.Optom (UNSW), CertOcTher (UNSW) Therapeutically Endorsed Optometrist
Member of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania