OCT of the posterior segment of the eye (macula, GCC, RNFL)
OCT is a non-invasive method of diagnosing retinal diseases. Tissue imaging of a selected section of the eye fundus in cross-section is an invaluable tool when planning procedures or surgeries within the retina and vitreous body – vitrectomies.
What is OCT?
OCT is optical coherence tomography that uses a light beam for analysis and measurement. It is particularly important in the diagnosis of macular lesions. OCT is a non-invasive evaluation that can in many cases replace fluorescein angiography, which already requires intravenous administration of contrast agent (fluorescein).
GCC OCT
GCC OCT evaluation – optical coherence tomography of the eye, which can detect the first glaucomatous abnormalities in the macula even before typical signs of the disease appear on other examinations. The examination allows a very accurate, high-resolution image to be obtained, thus achieving a more accurate analysis of the structures under examination.
OCT RNFL
RNFL measurement – the evaluation allows early detection of changes indicative of glaucoma and tracking of changes over the course of the disease, all thanks to a three-dimensional tomographic analysis of the optic disc.
Diagnostic functions of the OCT scanner:
This is the tissue imaging of a selected section of the eye fundus in a cross-section comparable to a histological image. It is an invaluable tool when planning procedures or operations within the retina and vitreous body (vitrectomy). In the postoperative course, it provides objective documentation of the anatomical outcome of the treatment.
OCT enables the measurement of retinal thickness, and a normative database of retinal thickness in the macular region allows prompt diagnosis of various conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), facilitating indications for its surgical treatment.
OCT is a valuable tool for monitoring the outcome of treatment and the basis for the decision to continue or terminate treatment.
Indications for optical coherence tomography – OCT:
- age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- diabetic maculopathy and macular oedema of other origin
- macular hole
- premacular fibrosis
- central serous retinopathy
Preparing for the evaluation:
The patient does not need to prepare. However, it is possible that he will be given pupil-dilating drops, but this will be decided by the doctor. Usually, the whole preparation process takes about 15-30 minutes. After administration of the drops, the patient may experience visual impairment and photophobia lasting up to 4 hours.
Evaluation description:
The patient sits in front of the scanner with his head resting motionless on the support, and the examiner, observing the image of the fundus of the eye on the screen, records a cross-section of selected eye elements. The evaluation can be repeated several times and can be performed in patients of all ages, as well as in pregnant women.
It lasts from a few to several minutes and printouts of its results are supplemented by a description at the request of the referring physician. The original OCT results are the property of the subject, who must keep them as important medical records. Find out more!
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