Understanding OCT Exams and How They Help Diagnose Eye Conditions

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) exams are a noninvasive way for your optometrist or ophthalmologist to obtain detailed images of the anatomy of the rear of the eye. Some of the most common eye conditions that lead to blindness, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and others, are initially diagnosed using OCT exams. 

How We Use Optical Coherence Topography To Improve Vision Health

While an OCT exam isn’t automatically used during a routine eye exam, we do use them if a patient’s symptoms or other eye exam results suggest a more serious condition. We also use OCT exams if patients have age-related or genetically related risk factors that lend themselves to proactive testing, giving us the chance to catch things as early as possible. As with most diseases or progressive conditions, the sooner they’re diagnosed, the easier they are to treat, manage, or to slow down their progression.

OCT exams are similar to ultrasound imaging. However, rather than sound waves, we use red light frequency to form a “map” of the posterior anatomy of the eye. The light waves are sent into the eye, and they bounce off the tissue layers and contours of your eye. The result of this process is a three-dimensional image of cross sections of the eye. OCT exams are considered non-invasive, take only a few minutes from start to finish, and do not require any pre-testing preparation.

Common Conditions Diagnosed Using OCT Exams

In addition to showing us the contours and details of the eye’s posterior anatomy, specifically the retina, its vascular system, and the optic nerve fiber layers and to providing cross-sectional images, OCT exam results also provide measurements that allow us to map tissue thickness and any changes over time.

Some of the most common conditions diagnosed and managed by OCT exams are:

Retinopathy & Diabetic retinopathy

Retinopathy is a condition where vascular damage in the retina eventually leads to vision loss. Type 2 diabetes is a significant precursor to developing retinopathy, which we refer to as diabetic retinopathy. However, roughly 12% of the non-diabetic population develops retinopathy, with the highest risk factors being hypertension (high blood pressure), race, genetic predisposition, and age.

Macular edema

Another condition that affects the macula, most often in patients with diabetes, is diabetic macular edema. It is a risk factor for patients with existing diabetic retinopathy. This condition causes swelling of the macula. Because this sensitive area contributes to fine detailed vision, symptoms include unusual blurred vision, difficulty seeing colors, or atypical floaters.

Macular pucker & macular holes

The macula is a small, highly sensitive area located in the center of the retina. As we age, the gel-like liquid in the middle of our eyes begins to decrease in volume, and it slowly pulls away from the retina. Most of the time, there are no resulting issues. But, sometimes, the vitreous sticks to the retina, pulling on it until it stretches and tears a portion of the macula away from the retina and rear wall of the inner eye, causing a hole. 

This same process of the shrinking vitreous can cause scar tissue that puckers or wrinkles the macula (macular pucker), causing the person to have crooked or wavy lines in their central vision.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is another age-related eye condition that causes vision loss. This condition occurs when the vitreous humor (a gel-like substance inside the eye) builds up and causes excessive internal pressure that eventually damages the optic nerve.

Age-related macular degeneration

The most common type is dry age-related macular degeneration, which affects roughly 80% of adults 65 and over who have age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). It is a leading cause of vision loss in the senior population. 

With macular degeneration, patients typically lose their vision in the center, so that it is as if a dark circle is at the center of the vision, and they can only see the peripheral. Treatment is essential to prevent legal blindness if possible.

Retinal tears or detachment

Just as the vitreous can alter the anatomy of the macula, it can also cause retinal tears or full detachment, both of which need immediate treatment. Symptoms of a retinal tear include blurred vision or a sudden onslaught of floaters and flashes of light, as well as darkening vision. A full detachment may have similar symptoms, as well as a shadow in your vision.

Additional conditions noticed and often managed by OCT exams are:

• Geographic atrophy
• Central serous retinopathy
• Vitreous traction
• Abnormal blood vessels
• Blood vessel blockage
• Drusen
• Optic atrophy
• Retinoschisis

In most cases, your optometrist will recommend an OCT exam if you’re experiencing symptoms of a potential eye condition, your age or medical history warrant it as a proactive step toward vision health, or something in your routine eye exam warrants further imaging for assessment.

Eye To Eye Family Vision Care Uses OCT Exams To Improve Vision Health

Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to prevent the progression of eye conditions that lead to severe vision loss. At Eye to Eye Family Vision Care, we use OCT Exams for diagnosis as well as the management of existing conditions. 

Are you overdue for an eye exam, or has your vision taken a sudden turn resulting in symptoms of blurred vision, floaters and flashes, dark patches in the field, etc.? If so, schedule an eye exam ASAP, and we’ll let you know if an OCT exam can help us diagnose the condition.