What does ocular coherence tomography do
- drrahuldubey
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
What does optical coherence tomography (OCT) do
Eye care is advancing quickly, and many patients ask a practical question: what does optical coherence tomography (OCT) do? In everyday terms, an OCT scanner produces painless, high-resolution cross-sections of your retina and optic nerve using safe light, making hidden changes measurable and comparable over time. At Dr Rahul Dubey’s practice, this scan supports cataract planning, diabetic eye checks, macular assessments, and urgent retinal decisions, often on the same day. Because it is non-invasive, fast, and repeatable, you gain clear answers about your vision without dyes or injections, and your care can be personalised with confidence.
What an OCT scanner measures and why it matters
An OCT scanner delivers detailed maps of the retina and optic nerve, helping your clinician see swelling, thinning, scarring, or traction that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The technology, known as OCT (optical coherence tomography), measures the thickness and contour of key layers, such as the macula, the RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer), and the RPE (retinal pigment epithelium). These layers are central to how you see, so even small deviations may signal early disease long before symptoms appear. For you, that means earlier intervention, fewer surprises, and more precise follow-up, especially if you live in rural or regional communities where timely decisions can prevent long trips and delays.
In cataract care, OCT (optical coherence tomography) of the macula rules out hidden macular problems that might limit vision after lens surgery. In retina care, OCT (optical coherence tomography) distinguishes between fluid from diabetes, a macular hole, an ERM (epiretinal membrane), or early AMD (age-related macular degeneration), each of which requires a different plan. In glaucoma assessment, OCT (optical coherence tomography) measures RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) thickness which can help detect change over time when interpreted alongside clinical findings. When combined with your history and clinical exam, the scan becomes a decision engine that supports tailored treatment and appropriate follow-up at Dr Rahul Dubey’s practice.
Typical scan time: under two minutes per eye, with most of that spent aligning the instrument.
No-contact and non-invasive; lights are dimmed to help capture crisp images.
Drops are not always needed; if anterior segment imaging is required, your clinician will advise.
Results are available immediately, allowing same-visit discussion and planning.
How OCT (optical coherence tomography) works, in plain language
OCT (optical coherence tomography) uses light to build pictures, a bit like how echo sounders use sound, except with far finer detail. A safe beam of light reflects from the layers inside your eye, and the device measures the tiny differences in return time to map fine structures. The result is a stack of cross-sectional images that show the retina’s layers, the space between them, and any pockets of fluid or scar tissue. Because the technique relies on light rather than radiation, it is safe to repeat, which is vital when tracking chronic conditions such as diabetes or AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
A related mode called OCTA (optical coherence tomography angiography) visualises blood flow without dye by detecting tiny changes in the signal between scans. When available, OCTA can help reveal early vascular changes in diabetes or AMD (age-related macular degeneration), which can guide timely treatment. For the front of the eye, anterior segment OCT (optical coherence tomography) shows the cornea and angle, supporting decisions for cataract lens selection and narrow-angle management. By combining OCT and other available imaging modes with a comprehensive clinical exam, Dr Rahul Dubey translates images into action, ensuring your plan is aligned with what is truly happening inside your eye.
Eye conditions OCT (optical coherence tomography) helps diagnose and monitor
Across Australia, millions of OCT (optical coherence tomography) scans are performed each year, and for good reason: they help detect disease early and quantify change. In diabetes, OCT (optical coherence tomography) identifies microscopic swelling called DME (diabetic macular edema), guiding laser, medication, or injection timing. In AMD (age-related macular degeneration), it differentiates dry from wet changes by showing drusen, atrophy, or fluid beneath the RPE (retinal pigment epithelium). In macular surgery, it clarifies whether a full-thickness hole, a lamellar defect, or an ERM (epiretinal membrane) is present. For glaucoma assessment, nerve fibre layer maps and optic nerve analysis offer objective baselines to determine change when combined with clinical review. With repeat scans, trends are plotted, so your plan remains responsive rather than reactive.
From scan to treatment with Dr Rahul Dubey
At Dr Rahul Dubey’s practice, imaging is not the end; it is the start of a precise, personalised plan. For cataract care, preoperative OCT (optical coherence tomography) ensures no hidden macular issues will limit outcomes, and anterior segment imaging supports lens selection. This integrates seamlessly with Advanced cataract surgery (including femtosecond laser), enabling accurate incisions and lens positioning. Cataract surgery is no gap, and each patient receives a tailored surgical plan designed for their lifestyle, refractive goals, and ocular health. The same rigour applies to retina patients, where imaging guides treatment choices and timing.
For vitreomacular conditions, Dr Dubey offers medical and surgical management, including microsurgery for macular hole and ERM (epiretinal membrane), surgery for floaters, and urgent treatment for retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy. OCT (optical coherence tomography) defines the target, and where OCTA is available it can further characterise vascular detail to refine treatment. Retinal surgery is performed expertly and urgently, and patients benefit from coordinated pathways that minimise delay. For those travelling from rural or regional communities, same-day decisions and staged follow-up reduce the burden without compromising quality.
Advanced cataract surgery (including femtosecond laser) for precision and predictability.
Medical and surgical management of vitreomacular disorders guided by imaging.
Microsurgery for macular hole and ERM (epiretinal membrane) with image-based planning.
Timely care for retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy, with outcome tracking on OCT (optical coherence tomography).
Expertise in inflammatory eye disease and AMD (age-related macular degeneration) supported by OCT imaging.
Commitment to rural and regional ophthalmology services for equitable access.
Reading your report: practical tips for patients
When you look at your printout, do not worry about every number; instead, focus on patterns over time and the summary interpretations. The colour maps show whether your retinal thickness falls inside the expected range for your age and eye size, while line scans highlight pockets of fluid, traction, or scar tissue. Ask your clinician to point out your baseline and how today’s scan compares, and clarify what change would prompt a different treatment step. By understanding the targets, you can be an active participant in your own care, which has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to improve adherence and outcomes.
Request simple explanations and note the goal for your next visit, such as “reduced fluid” or “stable RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) thickness.”
Keep a personal log of scan dates, treatments, and vision changes to spot trends.
If you live outside the city, ask about combining imaging and treatment in one visit.
Confirm who to contact if you notice sudden changes like flashes, floaters, or a curtain over your vision.
Local access and coordinated care
Access matters as much as technology. Dr Rahul Dubey provides coordinated services, so patients can receive imaging, counselling, and treatment without unnecessary delay. For individuals travelling from rural and regional communities, appointment scheduling is designed to minimise repeat trips, with imaging and decisions often completed in a single visit. Where appropriate, remote discussions are used for follow-up, and shared plans ensure your local optometrist or doctor understands the goals set by your specialist.
Because OCT (optical coherence tomography) is safe to repeat, monitoring can be matched to your condition rather than the calendar. People with stable dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration) may be seen less often, while those undergoing injections for DME (diabetic macular edema) or wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration) benefit from more frequent checks until the fluid settles. The aim is simple: the right test at the right time, with a clear conversation about what the numbers mean and how they inform your next step. In this model, imaging empowers action, not anxiety.
The true value of OCT (optical coherence tomography) lies not only in the pictures, but in the partnership it enables between you and your specialist. With clear baselines, tracked trends, and decisions grounded in evidence, you are never guessing about why a treatment is recommended or when it should change. And because the scan is quick, comfortable, and repeatable, it integrates seamlessly into busy lives, including those who travel from outside the city. When your care pathway is guided by objective imaging and delivered by an experienced surgeon, vision goals become realistic and measurable with an OCT scanner at the core.
OCT (optical coherence tomography) turns light into insight so you and your clinician can act earlier, plan better, and measure progress with precision. In the next 12 months, continuous refinements in OCTA (optical coherence tomography angiography) and analytics will likely spotlight disease even sooner, making sight-saving treatment windows wider and safer. How will you use these tools to protect the vision that powers your work, your family life, and your independence with help from an OCT scanner?
Additional Resources
Explore these authoritative resources to dive deeper into ocular tomography coherence machine.
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