People across the UK will gain access to 3D eye scanning technology after a major investment in innovative equipment by leading eye care provider Optical Express.
Optical Express has invested a further £5m in state of the art Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan equipment, to be rolled out in their clinics nationwide by the end of this year. Every Optical Express clinic involved in refractive and cataract surgery care will use the new equipment, improving access to this leading-edge technology for patients throughout the UK.
The latest generation Zeiss Cirrus OCT, developed by industry leading optical technology manufacturer Carl Zeiss, has been successfully deployed at a number of Optical Express clinics already, and will now be used as standard nationwide by the provider. Optical Express is the first national eye care provider to offer Zeiss’ latest generation OCT scan equipment, giving many patients access to the equipment for the first time, providing a more advanced level of patient care.
Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director, Optical Express, said:
“Optical Express prides itself on providing the very best standard of care to our patients. To make that possible, we work with first-class clinicians and use the latest generation equipment from leading manufacturers.
“It’s great news for patients that this world-leading technology will now be accessible in our clinics throughout the UK and Ireland. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t recently had an eye examination to book an appointment at their local Optical Express clinic. The capture of an OCT scan is quick, completely painless, and can put your mind at ease about the long-term health of your eyes.”
An OCT scan allows for a detailed assessment of the layers of the retina and the cornea of the eye. It is a quick, non-invasive test that clinicians can use to detect potentially debilitating eye disease, like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy, all of which can lead to serious vision loss if left untreated. By capturing individual layers of the retina, the OCT scan can identify serious eye conditions much sooner than alternative diagnostic methods, allowing for earlier, potentially sight saving treatment. By finding and treating eye conditions as early as possible, increased community screening using the latest OCT scan equipment will help to alleviate pressures on the NHS at a time when hospital based ophthalmology departments are under immense pressure.
