Transforming eye health on the high street with

World-class optical diagnostic technology that was previously only available in hospital ophthalmology departments has been rolled out in Specsavers stores across the UK.

Called OCT (optical coherence tomography), this eye health check has transformed the industry’s evaluation of a customer’s overall eye health on our high streets.

OCT uses light to take more than 1,000 images of the back of the eye and the optic nerve. A layered image is then created to allow the optometrist to view the deeper structures of the eye in more detail than ever before. From here, its future-gazing potential can then detect preventable, sight-threating conditions up to four years earlier than a standard sight test.

These images are stored, allowing the Specsavers’ optometrists to refer back to a customer’s results and detect any subtle changes

Some of the conditions that can be picked up earlier with an OCT test include diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma. In some rarer cases, signs relating to other serious health issues such as brain tumours have even been picked up thanks to the detailed scan.

“Our investment in OCT combined with the expertise of our optometrists across the Specsavers portfolio is a pivotal step forward in the detection of avoidable sight loss conditions in the UK,” says Dr Nigel Best, Specsavers’clinical spokesperson.

“This is simply the right thing to do in terms of offering our customers a choice of the best possible technology in their eye examination. Our goal is to transform eye health through investment in professional development and by putting hospitalgrade equipment right into the heart of the community.”