Knowing the best optical coherence tomography can really help professional eye healthcare experts to help their patients in detecting the issues while suggesting the right treatments altogether. This is why all ophthalmologists should equip themselves with the modern and advanced instruments. The tools can help them deliver the right diagnoses, with the purpose of getting the most effective treatments and care.

 

Best Optical Coherence Tomography and the General Function

Before we talk about the best equipment for detecting glaucoma, let’s talk about the main function of the OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) first. The OCT is often used together with OCTA (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography) for imaging tests, and they are both the non-invasive ones. Both devices use light waves to take your retina’s pictures, especially the cross-section ones.

The ophthalmologists will be able to see and check the distinctive layers of the retina, thanks to the OCT. From there, these experts would be able to map it and then measure the thickness. The measurement plays a crucial role with the diagnosis. The device also contributes to the success of glaucoma treatment, retinal diseases (such as AMD or Age-related Macular Degeneration), and diabetic eye disease.

What’s the function of OCTA? The device is responsible for taking pictures of the retina’s blood vessels, whether they are under or within. If you are familiar with fluorescein angiography, then you know how it works. However, when compared to fluorescein angiography, OCTA doesn’t use any dye. Plus, the process is faster to make.

OCT device is pretty crucial, especially for detecting glaucoma. Not many people know that glaucoma is generally asymptomatic. It means that they may not show any signs or symptoms, until it’s too late. In most cases, patients know that they suffer from the condition after they are being in advanced state. They may lose their sight or they can only recover just a little from their condition during the treatment.

It’s a common condition when at risk patients don’t feel the need to get the treatment until their glaucoma is within the very end stage. For the ophthalmologists themselves, they won’t be able to do the screening correctly without the right device. With OCT, they can detect any early glaucoma signs and plan out the best treatments that would be suitable for each patient. Mind you that each patient is different, so it’s crucial that professional ophthalmologist prescribe the proper treatment for each one of them.

Best Optical Coherence Tomography

 

For effective screening, it’s best to combine technology with (clinical) eye examination. Depending on the condition or how severe the problem is, technology should be used together with other approaches or strategies, like visual field testing, fundus photography, or portable tonometry. After all, sophisticated technologies today can provide more options and solutions. Devices aren’t only smaller, but they are also more portable. It helps with the overall effectiveness of the examination.

During OCT Process

The ophthalmologists will be responsible for patients’ care, and it includes before and after the test. Before the procedure, the ophthalmologist will likely put an eye drop in the patient’s eyes. The eye drop is to dilate the eyes, widening the pupil, so it would be easier for the ophthalmologist to check and examine the retina.

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The patient won’t even have to lie down. They only need to sit right before the machine. The device has some kind of a support where you need to put your head on it. You aren’t supposed to move, so the support and its construction will keep you motionless. Afterwards, the machine will scan the eye without having to touch anything. The scanning process alone takes around 5 minutes to 10 minutes, top.

In the event the ophthalmologist make the patient’s eyes dilated, they would be quite sensitive to light, and it takes several hours to be back to normal again. You may be required to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes for those hours.

It’s crucial that patients really understand what they are going through. That’s why the ophthalmologist should explain the details of the procedure, so they will be very well prepared. There won’t be any special preparation or whatsoever for the test. This procedure isn’t risky either. There haven’t been any risks or side effects reported in relation with OCT scan. Some of the minor complaints are only about eye fatigue and dryness. You can consult your condition with the eye doctor, if you have any concern.

When to Check the Condition

When would be the right time to go to the eye healthcare? First of all, if you are within a certain age range, your eye doctor may recommend you to have the OCT procedure. Second, if you are viewed to be a high-risk patient that may develop a certain eye condition or disease, then it’s only logical if you are expected to have yourself checked regularly.

Professional ophthalmologist would have to check each patient’s medical record and also background. From there, they can recommend whether the patients have to do regular checking or not. It’s even possible that the ophthalmologist may recommend the inclusion of OCT scan in the eye exam’s schedule, so they are able to monitor the thickness of the retina’s layers.

If the patients have had eye problems before and they had received treatments, it’s highly likely that the ophthalmologist may suggest OCT scan although the patients don’t experience any discomfort, complaints, or symptoms. The best way to find out about your condition is to talk it through with the doctor and find the best solution.

In the end, patients need to get routine check-up and regular examinations. But they also need to contact their eye doctor if they experience:

  • Problems in seeing colors
  • Problems in seeing clearly
  • Eye pain or continuous discomfort
OCT Device and Problems It Detects

The OCT is highly functional as it can detect many eye issue or conditions, including:

  • Blood vessel blockage
  • It’s a condition where pressure and fluid would build up within the area, causing optic nerve damage
  • Macular hole. This happens when the retina pulls apart, creating a hole within the macula.
  • Vitreous traction
  • Macular pucker. Distorted vision can develop because there is a growing scar tissue over the retinal surface.
  • Age-related macular degeneration. It’s basically a progressive ailment that is deeply related to aging. When people have this issue, they lose their central vision.
  • Abnormal blood vessels
  • Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes causes damages within the (small) blood vessels within the eye. It causes vision loss. When fluids leak out, it will cause blurry vision. When the condition is pretty severe, the whole retina can be detached from the back side of the eye, causing glaucoma to develop. It shouldn’t be taken for granted as it can make people blind completely.
  • Central serous retinopathy
  • Macular edema. It happens when the macula is swollen with fluid. In case you don’t know it, macula is a retinal part having the most cells that detect and sense light.
  • Tumors in retina or choroid. It’s possible for cancerous cells to form in the retina as well as the choroid. The latter is the vascular layer between the sclera and retina.
  • Cone and also cone-rod dystrophies. The issues would affect the cells within the eyes, which are sensitive to color and light. When it gets worse, vision loss is highly likely.
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Basically, the device is handy to examine (and evaluate) optic nerve disorders too. Through OCT exam, the ophthalmologist can see the fiber changes happening to the optic nerve. Glaucoma causes changes within the optic nerve, so the device should be able to detect it.

 

A word of advice, though. OCT machine depends so much on light waves. That’s why it won’t function for conditions that interfere with any light passes through the eyes. Such conditions include bleeding within the vitreous or dense cataracts.

The Best Options to choose Optical Coherence Tomography

OCT was first introduced in 1991. Since then, it has gone through a lot of updates and improvements. There have been some companies (and their creations) that are known to be the Best Optical Coherence Tomography when it comes to OCT.

 

Zeiss OCT Cirrus 5000

This device is known for its advanced (clinical) applications and also high resolution abilities. The applications can track FastMap ganglion cell analysis and also epithelial integration quite easily. This device is already approved by the FDA. Not only it has CE Mark, but it also comes with RFL analysis and normative data comparison for the measurements.

 

The device has helped eye doctors create accurate diagnosis, thanks to the high definition images and detailed results. When ophthalmologist uses this device, they generally don’t have to do any re-scan action anymore. The device usually gets everything right, even in the first attempt, because of the accurate focus. The high resolution image will immediately highlight the choroid detail, retina, and vitreous altogether.

 

Some of its winning features include:

  • Wide field assessment glaucoma for structural damage
  • Advanced RPE track
  • Ganglion cell analyses
  • Retinal tracking with FastTrac

 

Topcon OCT 2000

Where as most OCT devices are big and bulky (and they need a lot of space for the setup), this device is able to deliver something different. This device is compact without sacrificing quality performance. Because of its portability, this device is able to offer greater flexibility. Not to mention that it can be used by different practice levels, from the small practice and clinics to big hospitals.

 

This device has very convenient ergonomic control that makes it super easy to use. Entry level users or technicians should have no issue using it. The ergonomic control includes fixation adjustments, electric chin control, capture button, and directional control stick.

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It also offers good remote access, thanks to the Ethernet connection. Because of it, users can always get the latest updates. Not to mention that they can access the images easily and freely, as long as there is internet connection.

 

Some of its winning features are:

  • Corrective ability for circle scan diameter
  • IR tracking abilities
  • Automatic center detection (for optic discs and fovea)

 

Optovue iScan OCT

Users who want to enjoy simplified and easier actions with all functionalities of traditional OCT device. Is it user-friendly? Definitely, but without extra spending or exorbitant expenses. One of its greatest features is the voice guided technology. Users will have the extra guidance in twelve different languages. They only have to choose the chosen language and users will get the guidance they need. Even if users are new at using this device, they won’t be confused because of the available assistance.

 

Operation is also super convenient and smooth. Thanks to the user friendly interface, users won’t have to do the extra tweaking or the complicated adjustment. They only have to push a certain button and the device will align the camera automatically. Another thing to like about the device is the compact size and the portable feature. There is no need to prepare any significant roomy space. just place it on the counter, plug the device in, switch on, and then it will start scanning.

 

With the examination quality of the device, patients will somewhat be asked to take part in the process. The retinal scan will identify the symptoms, even when the eye doctor finds out what’s wrong. Through the participation, patients would be educated within the process, being completely involved in the management and treatment process.

 

Zeiss Primus 200

This is considered one of the best devices because of the sophisticated fundus imaging and (high def) B-scans. Whereas the regular devices may not function properly in certain conditions (such as cataracts), the issue won’t happen to this one. The B-scan technology can deliver accurate results even when the eyes are closed, resulting in cross sectional 2D views. At the same time, fundus imaging helps with the detailed information about the eye’s interior appearance.

 

The device comes with improved comfort and more accurate results. Patients won’t have to spend a lot of times during the scanning, and yet, the device is able to generate accurate reading because of the advanced technology. Minimal (and more comfortable) chin time should be expected without compromising accuracy.

 

Final Word

OCT has brought a new level of accuracy, especially in battling glaucoma. Whether patients want to detect the early signs or they want to get the right treatment, the device is able to help the eye doctor to bring accurate reading that plays a crucial role in the next treatment. Ophthalmologist should know the best optical coherence tomography, especially for glaucoma, and where to get them.