We are excited to offer our patients the latest advancement in retinal imaging technology, the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Capturing a retinal image aids in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and conditions of the retina including the top three: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Let’s begin by understanding the retina’s role in allowing us to see images. The retina is made up of many thin layers of tissue lining the back of the eye. The macula is an area located close to the center of the retina responsible for detailed central vision. The fovea is the tiny center of the macula allowing us to see the sharpest detail. The retina contains millions of photoreceptors made up of two types: rods and cones. The retina is made up of about 7 million cones which are contained in the macula and work best in bright light allowing us to see color. Spread throughout the rest of the retina, are about 120 million rods that function in dim light. The rods perceive blacks, whites and grays but not color and allow us to see peripheral “side vision” and night vision. These photoreceptors capture light rays and convert them to electrical impulses. The optic nerve then transmits these electrical impulses to the brain turning them into the images we see.
The OCT is a non-contact, non-invasive, 3-dimensional imaging test. There is no preparation needed on the part of the patient and the scan takes just minutes to perform in the office. The OCT uses light to rapidly scan each eye and presents a cross-sectional image of each of the layers of the retina. This allows Dr. Greenberg to measure the thickness of each layer and compare them to healthy retinal layers aiding in early detection and diagnosis of retinal diseases many times even before the patient is aware of any symptoms.
The important point is early detection. By performing an OCT retinal scan, Dr. Greenberg is able to determine a course of treatment early in the stage of the disease dramatically improving the success of the treatment.
For additional information on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) please contact our office at (248)649-2820.
