For a sight test that is out of this world? You should be going to Specsavers Coleraine

Out of this world optical diagnostic technology that was - until a few years ago - only widely available in hospital eye departments will be available in Specsavers Coleraine.
By Community report
Published 17th Feb 2020, 08:07 BST
Specsavers Coleraine Optometrist and store director Judith Ball has a bright outlook for their patients thanks to advanced OCT eye testsSpecsavers Coleraine Optometrist and store director Judith Ball has a bright outlook for their patients thanks to advanced OCT eye tests
Specsavers Coleraine Optometrist and store director Judith Ball has a bright outlook for their patients thanks to advanced OCT eye tests

Called OCT (optical coherence tomography), this eye health check is set to transform the industry’s evaluation of a customer’s overall eye health on our high streets and is being rolled out across all Specsavers stores this month.

The innovation of OCT is pretty impressive, and testament to its credentials is the fact that NASA uses OCT technology on its International Space Station to measure the effect of space travel on the eye.

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The OCT uses light to take more than 1,000 images of the back of the eye including the retina and 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 help detect preventable, sight-threating conditions up to four years earlier than a standard eye test.

These images are then stored, allowing the Specsavers’ team of optometrists to refer back to a customer’s results from their prior appointment and detect any subtle changes that can then be addressed.

Some of the conditions that can be picked up earlier and monitored with an OCT test include diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma. In some rarer cases, concerns relating to wider health issues like a brain tumour have been picked up thanks to the detailed scan.

Store director Judith Ball said: “This is big news and we are proud to be part of a first nationwide roll out for the optical industry.

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“Our nationwide roll out of this innovation is ‘one big step for mankind’ when it comes to accessing fantastic innovation and helping to preserve the nation’s eye health. To be able to bring this technology to our customers in Coleraine in the decade of 2020 feels extra poignant too.”

To highlight the innovative new equipment revolutionising the high street, Specsavers has also launched a TV ad which sees an OCT machine floating alongside the Hubble Telescope in outer space.

To find out more about OCT or to book an appointment, visit the Diamond Coleraine, www.specsavers.co.uk or call 0287 032 6346

Related topics:NASA