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OCT: a new look inside the eye has brought a revolution in diagnostics

Vision is undoubtedly one of our most precious senses, through which we perceive the beauty of the world around us. And when we encounter potential problems related to eye health, fast and accurate diagnostics are literally crucial. In this respect, ophthalmologists have been helped for the past thirty years by a revolutionary technology called optical coherence tomography, or OCT.

The history of OCT dates back to the 1990s, when this new diagnostic method began to be developed. In 1996, OCT technology was first used in clinical practice, and within ten years it had become an indispensable diagnostic tool in ophthalmology. At Eye Centre Prague, the first OCT device was purchased in 2010, and this revolutionary technology has therefore been routinely used for detailed examinations of the posterior structures of the eye in our patients for almost 15 years.

What is OCT and how does it work

“OCT, or optical coherence tomography, is a modern diagnostic method in ophthalmology that enables high-resolution imaging of the internal structures of the eye. This allows doctors to identify even subtle structural changes that may be a sign of eye disease. As a result, certain eye diseases can be detected much earlier and more accurately, and their course and the effectiveness of treatment can be monitored,” explains Lucie Frantlová, MD, Head of Outpatient Care at Eye Centre Prague and the MediPort network, who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases.

The superiority of OCT over other diagnostic methods lies in its non-invasiveness, imaging precision, and high resolution. The data are available immediately, allowing doctors to analyse the condition of the eye right away. Moreover, OCT examinations are very comfortable for patients — painless and quick.

The basic principle of OCT is based on measuring the reflective properties of eye tissues using a light beam. During the examination, a beam of light is directed into the patient’s eye and reflects off the different tissues inside. These reflections are captured and analysed, enabling the creation of a detailed image of the eye’s structures.

At Eye Centre Prague, we now routinely use so-called angiographic OCT. This is an advanced form of OCT that shows not only the condition of individual retinal layers but also the function of its structures and vascular system, without the use of contrast dye. Although this technology represented a significant investment, it is currently the most accurate diagnostic method available, allowing us to provide our patients with the best possible care for their vision.

Helping to preserve vision and quality of life

Many retinal diseases develop silently in their early stages and only become apparent in advanced phases, when vision has already deteriorated — and at that point, it can no longer be restored, only slowed. OCT plays an important role in prevention, increases the chances of successful treatment, and reduces the risk of serious vision damage.

“Vision examinations using OCT play a key role in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. For patients, this means a simple and effective examination that can save their sight and preserve their quality of life,” Dr Frantlová explains.

For this reason, everyone over the age of 35 should undergo an OCT examination. OCT can detect many eye diseases at an early stage, when patients do not yet experience any symptoms.

Eye diseases where OCT is helpful