Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an important diagnostic tool in ophthalmology.
Need answers quickly?
Our Rapid Diagnostics Centre offers fast access to advanced imaging, specialist clinics and on-site testing - helping you get clarity in days, not weeks. Plus, our 24/7 private GP service is here whenever you need urgent advice.
Our charitable purpose
As a charitable hospital, we reinvest in exceptional care, research and innovation - helping us improve healthcare for patients here and far beyond our walls.
Everything you need for your visit
Your Patient Hub brings together everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your care and know what to expect throughout your stay.
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
Diagnosing and monitoring retinal disease
Treatment overview
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an important diagnostic tool in ophthalmology. The London Clinic Eye Centre has the latest, most sophisticated optical coherence tomography system, the Heidelberg Spectralis.
The major application of optical coherence tomography is for diagnosing and monitoring retinal disease. It is completely non-invasive; there are no probes or needles and examination by an OCT machine is not at all uncomfortable.
Optical coherence tomography produces detailed cross-sectional maps of the retina, which shows if there are areas of swelling. Retinal diseases that commonly cause retinal swelling include:
- Diabetic retinopathy, which leads to diabetic macular oedema – swelling of the retina at the macula. This crucial point on the retina has the highest concentration of photoreceptor cells and gives us our most detailed focus and vision.
- Retinal vein occlusion, which also leads to macular oedema.
- Age-related macular degeneration, particularly the wet form, in which abnormal blood vessels start to invade the retina.
Visit our Dedicated Eye Centre Website
Diagnostic information
Additional diagnosis
Optical coherence tomography can also help diagnose:
- Macular swelling and oedema due to any other underlying cause.
- Damage to the optic nerve, such as what might occur in advanced glaucoma.
- The development of choroidal neovascularisation (abnormal new blood vessels) or pre-retinal membranes (abnormal cell layers in front of the retina).
- The appearance of holes in the macula.
If you have optical coherence tomography at the eye centre, this is always done in close association with your consultant, who will have very fast access to the results, and will then be able to move quickly to advise you of your treatment options.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.