What is an OCT Scan?
22/05/2026
Discover how modern eye imaging technology helps detect eye disease early – often before symptoms begin.
When you visit your optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination, you may be offered an OCT scan as part of your eye health assessment. Many patients ask us:
At Adelaide City Optometrist, we believe understanding your eye health is empowering. An OCT eye scan is one of the most advanced tools available in modern optometry, helping detect serious eye conditions earlier than ever before.
An OCT scan (Optical Coherence Tomography) is a non-invasive imaging test that takes highly detailed cross-sectional pictures of the inside of your eye.
Think of it as an “ultrasound using light instead of sound.” The scan uses light waves to create incredibly detailed images of the retina, optic nerve, and macula – the structures responsible for your central vision and overall eye health.
The test is:
Most scans take less than a minute per eye.
An OCT eye scan allows your optometrist to see beneath the surface of the retina in microscopic detail. While a standard eye examination can identify many problems, OCT technology provides a much deeper level of information.
The scan can show:
Because the images are so precise, OCT scans can often detect issues years before symptoms appear.
One of the biggest advantages of OCT technology is its ability to assist with early detection of serious eye conditions.
During Macula Month, awareness around macular disease becomes especially important. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in Australians over 50.
An OCT scan can detect:
Early diagnosis means earlier treatment and better protection of vision.
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because vision loss can occur gradually without noticeable symptoms.
An OCT scan helps measure the thickness of the nerve fibres around the optic nerve, allowing optometrists to identify subtle damage that may indicate early glaucoma.
Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular oedema.
OCT imaging can detect:
This is especially important for patients living with diabetes, even if their vision seems normal.
An OCT scan may also help identify:
Many retinal conditions are far more treatable when identified early.
Many eye diseases develop silently. By the time symptoms appear, permanent vision damage may already have occurred.
That’s why comprehensive eye examinations are so important – especially as we age.
At Adelaide City Optometrist, we use advanced diagnostic technology like OCT scans to gain a clearer understanding of your eye health and monitor even the smallest changes over time.
This allows us to:
An OCT scan can benefit almost anyone, but it is particularly recommended for:
Even if your vision seems perfectly fine, underlying changes can still occur without symptoms.
Absolutely. An OCT scan provides valuable information that cannot always be seen during a standard eye examination alone.
For many patients, it offers reassurance. For others, it may identify an issue early enough to preserve sight.
Modern eye care is no longer just about checking whether you need glasses – it’s about protecting your long-term eye health.
At Adelaide City Optometrist, we’re committed to providing thorough, personalised eye care using advanced diagnostic technology.
If you’ve never had an OCT eye scan, or it’s been a while since your last comprehensive eye test, now is the perfect time to prioritise your eye health.
Early detection can make all the difference.
