A Closer Look at the OCT Eye Test
You might not notice anything wrong with your vision, but changes can still be happening inside your eyes. That’s where optical coherence tomography, commonly called OCT, comes in.
OCT is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to capture cross-section images of your retina, mapping its layers and measuring the thickness of your optic nerve. The result is a precise, layered map that helps your eye doctor track changes over time and catch potential issues early.
At Upper Richmond Optometry, we use OCT angiography (OCTA), an upgraded version of standard OCT that adds detailed imaging of the blood vessels in your retina. That extra layer of insight gives our team a more complete picture of your eye health, especially when monitoring conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Booking an eye exam online takes just a few minutes if you’d like to see what your eyes are telling us.
What the OCT Scan Actually Looks At
The Retina & Its Layers
Your retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye, made up of several distinct layers that each play a role in how you see. An OCT scan images these layers separately, so your optometrist can see exactly where any changes are happening.
One of the most useful things about OCT is that it measures the thickness of each retinal layer and tracks how that thickness shifts between visits. Even a tiny change can signal something worth monitoring, and catching those changes early gives you more options for protecting your vision.
The Optic Nerve
Your optic nerve carries visual information from your eye to your brain. If the optic nerve starts to thin, that can be a sign of conditions like glaucoma. The challenge is that early thinning is often difficult to identify without imaging technology like OCT.
With OCT, your eye doctor can detect subtle changes in nerve tissue before they affect your vision. That makes OCT a valuable tool for tracking nerve health from one yearly appointment to the next.
Eye Conditions an OCT Scan Can Detect
Some eye conditions develop slowly and don’t produce obvious symptoms until they’ve already started to affect your vision. OCT helps identify these changes before you notice them on your own, and that early window can make a real difference in how well the condition can be managed.
An OCT scan can help detect a range of conditions, including:
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular holes
- Retinal swelling (edema)
- Blood vessel blockages in the eye
For people living with diabetes or those with a family history of retinal disease, OCT scans can be genuinely reassuring. You’re not just getting a vision check; you’re getting a thorough look at your overall eye health.
What to Expect at Your OCT Appointment
Before the Scan
One of the reasons OCT is so easy to fit into a regular eye exam is that it requires very little preparation. You don’t need to fast, avoid certain foods, or change any routines before your appointment. In most cases, you can go about your day normally.
During & After the Scan
The scan itself takes just a couple of minutes per eye. You’ll rest your chin on a support, look at a small target light, and stay as still as you can while the device does the work. There’s no contact with your eye and no discomfort at any point.
After the scan, your optometrist will walk you through the results. You’ll be able to see the images and get a clear explanation of what they show. It’s a straightforward process from start to finish.
OCT Angiography at Upper Richmond Optometry
At Upper Richmond Optometry, we use OCT angiography (OCTA), an advanced version of OCT that adds detailed imaging of the blood vessels in your retina. Standard OCT shows the retinal layers and optic nerve, while OCTA goes a step further by mapping blood flow patterns in the eye without needing dye injections.
That extra view matters because vascular changes are often among the earliest warning signs of conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. As an AMD Centre of Excellence, our team relies on OCTA to track these changes precisely and catch issues before they affect your vision.
Who Can Benefit from an OCT Scan
OCT isn’t only for people who already have an eye condition. It can also be a helpful part of routine eye care for a wide range of people. Your optometrist can help you decide if it makes sense for your situation.
An OCT scan is worth discussing if you:
- Have a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other retinal conditions
- Are living with diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have noticed unexplained changes in your vision
- Are over 40 and looking for more thorough eye health monitoring
- Want a detailed baseline to compare against in future visits
Our team at Upper Richmond Optometry includes OCT imaging as part of our comprehensive eye exams for adults and seniors in London, Ontario. Whether you’re due for a routine visit or wondering whether OCT is right for your situation, we can walk you through what makes sense for your eyes.
Book an eye exam and we’ll take a closer look at what’s happening below the surface.
