OCT Retinal Imaging in Hamilton, ON
Optical Coherence Tomography — OCT — is one of the most significant advances in eye care technology of the last two decades. It allows us to see the layers of your retina in extraordinary detail, detecting diseases that are completely invisible to a standard eye exam — often years before you notice any symptoms.
At You & Eye Optometry on Fennell Ave E, Hamilton Mountain, we offer OCT retinal imaging as an add-on to your comprehensive eye exam for patients who want the most thorough picture of their retinal health.
What Is OCT Imaging?
OCT imaging works similarly to an ultrasound, but uses light instead of sound. The scanner captures thousands of cross-sectional "slices" through your retinal tissue in just seconds, building a precise three-dimensional map of the layers of your retina and optic nerve head — structures that cannot be evaluated in this level of detail with any other non-invasive tool.
The scan is completely painless, takes just seconds, and requires no eye drops or contact with your eye. Simply rest your chin on the scanner and look at the fixation target.
What Can OCT Detect?
Glaucoma
OCT measures the thickness of the nerve fibre layer around the optic nerve — the first tissue affected by glaucoma — detecting damage years before visual field loss occurs.
Macular Degeneration
Detects drusen deposits and fluid under the macula, allowing early intervention that can significantly slow progression of AMD.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Measures retinal thickness with precision, detecting fluid accumulation from diabetes before it causes central vision loss.
Macular Holes & Membranes
Identifies structural defects in the macula — macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and vitreomacular traction.
Retinal Detachment Risk
Assesses the vitreoretinal interface to identify areas of abnormal adhesion that may increase retinal detachment risk.
Optic Nerve Disease
Evaluates the optic nerve head structure for signs of swelling, cupping, or other changes associated with neurological or systemic disease.
Who Should Get OCT Imaging?
We recommend OCT imaging for:
- Patients with diabetes — annual OCT is the gold standard for diabetic retinal monitoring
- Patients over 50 — the risk of macular degeneration and glaucoma rises sharply with age
- Anyone with a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or retinal disease
- Patients experiencing new floaters, flashes of light, or distorted vision
- Anyone with a high myopic prescription (nearsightedness increases retinal stretch and risk)
- Patients who want the most comprehensive baseline for tracking their retinal health over time
OCT Is Also Used for Ongoing Monitoring
One of the most valuable aspects of OCT is its ability to compare scans over time. Once we have a baseline scan, future exams can precisely detect even subtle changes in retinal thickness or optic nerve structure — giving us an early warning system that no other test provides.
This is why we store all patient OCT scans and review them at each visit for patients who undergo regular monitoring.