OCT scans
OCT stands for optical coherence tomography. It takes a detailed cross-section image of the back of your eye, a bit like an ultrasound that uses light. The scan takes a few seconds, does not touch your eye and does not hurt.
Why have one
An OCT scan lets your optometrist see the layers of your retina and the optic nerve in much more detail than an ordinary look, and can help spot changes early. It is useful for people with a family history of eye conditions, for those with diabetes and as a baseline for later checks.
Cost
OCT scan: £35, whether you add it to a test or book it on its own. The private test's retinal scan is a photograph; the OCT scan is a separate, more detailed one. An NHS test does not include it, so it is an extra you can choose.
Our journal explains what an OCT scan shows.
This is a demo shop; Clearview Opticians is fictional.