Catch Eye Diseases in Their Tracks with OCT Eye Tests
Did you know that glaucoma can occur without any symptoms? This makes visiting your optometrist increasingly more important as your eyes get older.
Unlike a simple vision screening or sight test, there are three specialized, technology-assisted eye tests (OCT eye tests) that can save your vision from irreversible damage caused by eye diseases. An OCT assessment, retinal imaging, and a visual field test provide an Optometrist with an in-depth evaluation of your eyes’ health.
These tests provide your local optometrist with a close-up look at your veins and arteries through your eyes — the only direct access point in your body that can be inspected without an incision.
Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT Eye Test)
Ocular coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that captures detailed cross-sectional images of the retina. These images can reveal microscopic changes in the retina that are indicative of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Recent studies have found that the thinning of specific retinal layers, as well as other subtle retinal abnormalities, can correlate with these diseases.
Detecting such conditions early on with the help of OCT can pave the way for timely interventions and treatment strategies. Furthermore, this advancement emphasizes the profound interconnectedness of the eyes with the overall neurological health of an individual. As research continues, the potential of OCT and other ocular diagnostic tools may provide even deeper insights into the early stages of various systemic and neurological diseases.
Completely Noninvasive
OCT Tests Take Minutes
Nothing Touches Your Eye
No Side Effects
Catch Eye Diseases Before Irreversible Damage Occurs
Glaucoma Detection
Before OCT tests, glaucoma, a vision-stealing condition, was incredibly difficult to diagnose.
Now, optometrists can identify the condition and suggest treatments prior to any vision loss — if caught early.
No Diabetic Guesswork
With ocular coherence tomography, Optometrists can verify if diabetic edema is present in a patient’s retina.
Untreated retinal edema can cause vision loss and permanent damage to the retinal layers.
Catching Macular Degeneration
With an OCT eye test, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) can be caught early enough to prevent vision loss. Early intervention with supplements and medication can prolong clear vision for many years.
“Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in Canada. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma.
Its effect on the retina is the main threat to vision.”
Retinal Imaging Detects Countless Eye Diseases
Diagnosing Diseases Early Prevents Irreversible Damage & Saves Vision
Glaucoma
Glaucoma
Elevated eye pressure can damage the optic nerve. This is a leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Cancer
Cancer
Retinal imaging can identify early indications of eye cancer including dark patches that could become a melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure
Excessive pressure changes how your retinal blood vessels work. Hypertension increases the risk of stroke if undiagnosed and untreated for months or years.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy
Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is potentially at risk for retinal damage that can lead to bleeding inside your eyes.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration
An eye condition that occurs in people over 50, impacting the part of the retina called the macula. Macular damage results in blurred or reduced central vision.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal Detachment
Early identification is crucial as this is a medical emergency that requires rapid treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
A Visual Field Test Can Save Your Peripheral Vision
Environmental awareness
Helps to prevent car crashes
So we can see “the whole picture”
Allows us move around safely
A visual field test is an essential diagnostic tool in the realm of eye care, designed to assess the full horizontal and vertical range of an individual’s vision, encompassing both central and peripheral sight. This test is crucial in identifying early signs of conditions that can affect peripheral vision, such as glaucoma, stroke, brain tumors, or other neurological deficits.
Catching these issues early can be a game-changer. When conditions like glaucoma are detected in their initial stages through a visual field assessment, appropriate interventions can be started promptly. These treatments can slow down or even halt the progression of vision loss, preserving the invaluable breadth of one’s sight. In essence, the visual field test acts as a sentinel, safeguarding the vast expanse of our visual world that often goes unnoticed but is vital for tasks like driving, walking, and recognizing our surroundings.
