On stage at 100% Optical: OCT in community practice

In the lead-up to 100% Optical 2023 in February, OT reached out to a selection of speakers from the education programme to find out more about the sessions on offer, the topics that will be explored, and what visitors can expect. Find the full series, along with further content on 100% Optical on OT’s dedicated page.

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What is the focus of your session?

This session aims to explore the principles of using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in community practice to help diagnose, monitor, and manage patients. Three pre-prepared cases will be presented to help optometrists improve their standards of patient care by discussing cases with a small group of fellow practitioners.

What are some of the key messages you wish to highlight?

When, why and how to use OCT in practice for effective monitoring and management of patients, why structure and function are so important in the evaluation of glaucoma, and the value and benefit of anterior segment OCT.

Who is this topic for? Who might benefit the most from joining?

Optometrists and anyone involved in OCT capture and evaluation in practice.

OCT has fast become a gold standard in assessing and monitoring patients, and using OCT to its potential in practice is key

Why is this topic so important for optometrists to engage with?

OCT has fast become a gold standard in assessing and monitoring patients, and using OCT to its potential in practice is key. The technology has rapidly developed since the introduction of the first commercially available OCT by Zeiss in 1997. OCT has become indispensable to the practice of ophthalmology and optometry, offering superior resolution of the retina and of the adjacent tissues for diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. By having the best diagnostics available, it provides more clinical information about the patient’s condition, and enables the advancement of standards of care.

What do you hope the top takeaway will be for attendees?

Attendees can effectively choose and interpret appropriate OCT scans and understand their value both to the patient and practice. We also hope they will takeaway how they can benefit from combining data from other diagnostic devices in the practice to help diagnose and monitor patients conditions.