How Long Has OCT Been Used in Ophthalmology?
MAY 30, 2014
Question:
How long has OCT scanning been used in ophthalmology?
Answer:
Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT, is a new powerful tool for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease, glaucoma, and optic atrophy. OCT has been used as a research tool for about 20 years. It provides the ophthalmologist with beautiful images of the retina and optic nerve, requires no radiation (as CAT scan does) or injection of dye (as in fluorescein angiography), and can be used safely in people with cardiac pacemakers/defibrillators and hearing implants. It takes only minutes to perform. Over the last decade, retinal specialists have been using OCT to diagnose macular holes, epiretinal membrane (macular pucker), macular degeneration, central serous retinopathy, cystoid macular degeneration, and other retinal diseases. Glaucoma is a painless, symptomless condition that can cause blindness. OCT is very useful for measuring retinal nerve fiber layer and evaluating the optic nerve. With OCT, ophthalmologists can determine the severity of damage from glaucoma and monitor treatment.