Oct-scan

OCT scan

An OCT scan is a quick, noninvasive imaging test that takes detailed cross-sectional pictures of the eye’s internal layers using light waves. It works a bit like ultrasound but uses light instead of sound, so it can show very thin layers of the retina and the optic nerve with high resolution. Doctors use these images to detect and monitor conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and swelling or thinning of the retina long before problems are obvious on a basic eye exam. The procedure is painless and fast: you rest your chin, focus on a target, and the machine scans your eye without touching it. Results give clear measurements and images that help track changes over time and guide treatment decisions, such as when to start or adjust medication or consider surgery. Because it reveals subtle changes, it can catch disease early, which often leads to better outcomes. OCT scans are widely available in eye clinics and are a standard part of care for many chronic eye conditions. While very useful, the scan is one piece of the diagnostic puzzle and is interpreted together with symptoms and other tests to make clinical decisions.