Concierge ophthalmic imaging · London
Optical coherence tomography (OCT), sub-micron retinal and optic nerve imaging — the workhorse of modern ophthalmology.
OCT uses low-coherence light to create sub-micron cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve. Essential for glaucoma (RNFL thinning), AMD (drusen, PED, CNV), diabetic macular oedema and optic neuritis.
Why patients choose us
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The right hands
We route you to a consultant ophthalmologist or retina specialist — the person who reads your OCT decides what happens next.
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Often answers same-day
Findings can frequently be discussed immediately, with the written report to follow.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
What OCT is, in six lines.
A quick reference — what it measures, how long it takes, what the report is compared against and who reports it.
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Definition
Non-contact, sub-micron cross-sectional imaging of the retina and optic nerve using low-coherence light.
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Duration
A 5–10 minute test in the ophthalmology clinic.
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No dilation for most
Most modern OCT protocols acquire high-quality images without pupil dilation.
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Compared to a reference
Your scan is compared against an age-matched normative database for glaucoma and retinal analysis.
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Complements fundus photos
OCT adds the cross-sectional view that colour fundus photography cannot provide.
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Reported by a specialist
A consultant ophthalmologist or retina specialist writes the report.
How it works
From consultation to plan — what happens, in order.
One clinician from the consultation through to the written OCT report and plan.
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Before
Ophthalmology consultation
Symptoms, visual history, glaucoma or diabetic risk factors and any prior imaging are reviewed first.
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On the day
Position at the OCT device
You rest your chin and forehead against the device — no contact with the eye and no drops in most protocols.
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On the day
Macular scan
A cross-sectional scan of the macula generates retinal thickness maps for AMD, diabetic and vascular assessment.
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On the day
Optic nerve scan
A peripapillary scan measures the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) for glaucoma monitoring.
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On the day
Optional OCT angiography
OCTA maps the retinal and choroidal micro-vasculature without dye — useful for CNV and diabetic retinopathy.
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After
Written report with change analysis
A structured report that includes serial comparison against your prior OCTs where available.
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After
Structured plan
Clear next steps — surveillance, injection pathway, laser, surgery or discharge.
What it shows
When an OCT is the right test.
OCT answers a specific question — what the retina and optic nerve look like, layer by layer. These are the presentations where it earns its place.
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RNFL thinning (glaucoma)
Quantifies retinal nerve fibre layer loss around the optic disc — the imaging cornerstone of glaucoma monitoring.
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Drusen and macular thickness (AMD)
Characterises drusen, pigment epithelial detachment and outer retinal changes in age-related macular degeneration.
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Choroidal neovascularisation
Detects new subretinal vessels — the finding that triggers anti-VEGF referral in wet AMD.
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Diabetic macular oedema
Measures intra-retinal fluid and central subfield thickness in diabetic maculopathy.
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Vitreomacular traction
Shows adherent vitreous distorting the macular architecture.
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Full-thickness macular hole
Confirms the diagnosis and stages the hole ahead of vitreoretinal surgery.
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Optic neuritis
Assesses the optic nerve head and RNFL after suspected inflammatory optic nerve disease.
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Red flag: choroidal neovascularisation — anti-VEGF referral
A CNV finding warrants urgent onward retina referral — do not defer.
Treatment options
Where the OCT leads — the pathways we set up.
A summary of the routes the scan opens, from reassurance through injections and surgery to structured surveillance.
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Reassurance if normal
A normal OCT with symmetric RNFL and preserved macular architecture is genuinely reassuring.
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Glaucoma monitoring
Serial OCTs anchor IOP and visual-field data in ocular hypertension and established glaucoma.
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Anti-VEGF injections for AMD / DMO
Wet AMD and diabetic macular oedema are treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.
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Laser photocoagulation
Focal or panretinal laser for selected diabetic and vascular retinopathies.
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Vitreoretinal surgery for macular hole
Pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peel for full-thickness macular hole.
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Corticosteroid for uveitic macular oedema
Topical, peri-ocular or intra-vitreal steroid in uveitis-related cystoid macular oedema.
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Structured surveillance
Interval OCTs at intervals matched to the diagnosis — not one-size-fits-all follow-up.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Complex cases (diabetes, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology) are discussed across specialties.
Red flags
OCT findings that change the plan.
When the scan surfaces one of these, the pathway shortens — a same-week specialist opinion rather than routine follow-up.
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Wet AMD
Choroidal neovascularisation on OCT requires urgent anti-VEGF referral.
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Diabetic macular oedema
Intra-retinal fluid with reduced vision needs a same-week retina opinion.
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Macular hole with vision loss
Full-thickness macular hole with distortion or drop in acuity warrants vitreoretinal referral.
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Vitreomacular traction
Symptomatic traction is a surgical conversation.
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Central serous retinopathy
Serous macular detachment on OCT — usually observed, sometimes treated.
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Central retinal vein occlusion
Macular oedema secondary to vein occlusion is a treatable cause of acute vision loss.
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Optic neuritis
RNFL changes with pain on eye movement — a neuro-ophthalmology pathway.
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Cystoid macular oedema
CMO after cataract surgery, uveitis or retinal disease — investigate the cause.
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Post-op inflammation
Persistent macular changes after intra-ocular surgery need a structured review.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about OCT.
Quick answers on duration, dilation, safety, OCT angiography and how OCT compares with fundus photography.
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What does an OCT scan show?
OCT produces sub-micron cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve. It quantifies retinal nerve fibre layer thickness for glaucoma monitoring, detects drusen, fluid and neovascular membranes in AMD, and measures intra-retinal fluid in diabetic macular oedema.
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How long does an OCT scan take?
A typical OCT of both eyes — macula and optic nerve — takes about 5–10 minutes. Adding OCT angiography or wide-field protocols adds a few minutes.
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Do I need my pupils dilated for OCT?
Most modern spectral-domain and swept-source OCT protocols acquire high-quality images without dilation. Dilating drops are only occasionally needed for peripheral views or difficult media.
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Is OCT the same as fundus photography?
No. Fundus photography gives a colour view of the retinal surface. OCT gives a cross-sectional view through the layers of the retina and optic nerve. They complement each other and are often performed together.
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Is OCT safe?
OCT uses low-coherence near-infrared light. It is non-contact, radiation-free and considered exceptionally safe. It is used in children, in pregnancy and in serial follow-up without concern.
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What is OCT angiography?
OCT angiography (OCTA) is a dye-free extension of OCT that maps the retinal and choroidal micro-vasculature. It is especially useful for detecting choroidal neovascularisation in wet AMD and quantifying diabetic retinopathy.
Sources
The guidance behind this page.
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Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Clinical guidance and standards.
Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Clinical guidance and standards. -
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred Practice Patterns.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred Practice Patterns. -
European Society of Retina Specialists. Clinical guidelines.
European Society of Retina Specialists. Clinical guidelines. -
European Glaucoma Society. Terminology and guidelines.
European Glaucoma Society. Terminology and guidelines.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review due 2027-07-30. Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board ().
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In practice, in London
Where optical coherence tomography sits in a private London pathway
With optical coherence tomography, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for optical coherence tomography is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
A private optical coherence tomography pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For optical coherence tomography specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Honesty about expectations is part of the job. A private optical coherence tomography appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine — the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. Everyone we route to is GMC-registered and works within CQC-regulated facilities.