During your most recent eye exam at Pittsfield Vision Associates, PC in Pittsfield, you may have heard your eye doctor mention the importance of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as part of our eye exams. But what exactly is OCT and when and why is it important? Read more below to find out.

What Is an Oct Scan?

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains the photoreceptors responsible for detecting light. It works by illuminating the retina with light and measuring the reflections and scattering of the light as it bounces back through the tissue. The information collected is used to construct detailed images of the retina, which can be used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

Why Would My Eye Doctor Recommend an OCT Scan?

There are a number of reasons your eye doctor may decide that an OCT test may be important to add to your eye exam. These include:

• to monitor the progression of an existing eye condition such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy
• to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for an existing eye condition
• to screen for eye conditions such as glaucoma or retinal detachment
• to detect early signs of eye disease in patients who are at high risk for developing eye conditions such as individuals with a family history of eye disease, those with diabetes, or those who have had previous eye surgery.

If you have symptoms of eye conditions such as blurry vision, floaters, or difficulty seeing in low light, speak to our eye care team about whether an OCT test might be helpful in maintaining your vision and eye health.

Want to learn more about how our Pittsfield eye doctors can help you see clearly and comfortably every day? Come visit our eye clinic, or give us a call at 413-499-3797 today!