OCT uses reflected light to create high-resolution cross-sectional images of retinal structure, making subtle anatomical change visible and measurable.
The short answer
Optical coherence tomography is a non-invasive imaging technique that creates detailed cross-sections of the retina.
How it works
OCT measures the echo time delay and intensity of reflected light to reconstruct tissue layers at microscopic scale.
Why retina specialists use it
The scan can reveal structural change in conditions including AMD, diabetic macular edema and other retinal disorders.
Where OCT is going
Swept-source systems, wider fields of view, automated segmentation and AI-assisted interpretation are expanding what OCT can do.
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