Advanced Scanning
To give you a truly thorough eye examination, we believe it’s essential to include advanced retinal scanning. Because your eyes offer valuable insight into your overall health, this step plays a key role in ensuring we can assess them with the greatest accuracy.
That’s why we’ve invested in the very latest hospital-grade retinal imaging technology – OptomapⓇ ultra-widefield imaging and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). We’re also proud to be among the few practices in the Highlands able to offer Optomap scanning.
WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY OCT SCANS TO ANYONE AGED 80 AND OVER AS PART OF YOUR ROUTINE EYE EXAMINATION!
If you are aged 80 and over and choose an OCT scan when booking your appointment, you will not be charged for this scan. If you book both OCT and Optomap, you will only be charged for the Optomap scan.
Our Optometrists, Calum Fraser and Natalie Murray, recommend Optomap scans for all patients because they provide a much wider and more detailed view of the retina than traditional methods, allowing early detection of eye conditions and underlying health issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. Our OCT scan complements the Optomap by providing a cross-sectional view of the retina, helping to detect changes beneath the surface that aren’t visible in standard imaging. Together, the Optomap and OCT scans can often detect eye diseases years earlier than traditional methods.
Optomap
What is an Optomap Scan?
An Optomap scan is an advanced imaging test that captures an ultra-wide digital view of your retina; the delicate layer at the back of your eye essential for vision. While standard retinal photography usually shows only about 12–15% of the retina (mainly the central part), the Optomap allows us to see over 80% in a single capture. This gives us a much more complete view of both the centre and the far edges (the periphery), where many early signs of eye disease can develop unnoticed.
The Story Behind Optomap
The Optomap was developed by Douglas Anderson after his 5-year-old son, Leif, sadly lost the sight in one eye due to a retinal detachment that was detected too late. If the Optomap had been available at the time, the problem could likely have been spotted early and treated, saving his vision. This personal tragedy inspired Douglas to create a digital retinal imaging device that could capture far more of the retina quickly, easily, and comfortably, transforming the way we check eye health today.
What Can Optomap Detect?
With its ultra-wide view, Optomap can help detect sight-threatening eye conditions such as retinal tears and detachments at an earlier stage, when treatment is most effective. It can also reveal signs of wider health concerns, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers. Detecting these early gives you the best chance of protecting both your vision and your overall wellbeing.
What to Expect from the Scan
The scan is fast, painless, and completely non-invasive. You simply look into the Optomap device one eye at a time, and in less than a second, the image is captured. There’s no discomfort. The images are available instantly and our Optometrists will review them with you.
Why Choose an Optomap Scan?
By including an Optomap scan as part of your examination, you’re giving yourself the best possible protection for your sight. It provides a far wider view than standard retinal imaging, creates a permanent record we can compare over time, and helps us detect issues long before they affect your vision. It’s a simple, proactive step to safeguard your eye health and peace of mind.
OCT
What is an OCT Scan?
An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan is an advanced, non-invasive imaging test that lets us see beneath the surface of your central retina; the delicate tissue at the back of your eye responsible for vision. Using light waves, the OCT creates detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, much like an ultrasound but with far greater precision. This allows us to examine the different layers of the retina in microscopic detail, something that cannot be seen with standard eye examinations alone.
How OCT Complements Optomap
The Optomap provides a wide-field image of your retina, giving us a broad overview and helping to detect conditions affecting the outer areas of the eye. OCT works hand-in-hand with this by offering a deeper, layer-by-layer view of the central retina and optic nerve. Together, these scans give a much more complete picture of your eye health – Optomap shows us the landscape, and OCT shows us the fine details hidden beneath the surface.
What Can OCT Detect?
OCT is especially valuable in detecting early changes linked to conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and retinal swelling. Often, these problems develop without noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but OCT can pick up the very first signs of change before vision is affected. Detecting these issues early means treatment can be started sooner, often protecting and preserving sight for the long term.
Why Choose an OCT Scan?
Investing in an OCT scan means investing in your future eye health. While it is an additional service, the benefits are significant: earlier detection, better monitoring, and peace of mind knowing that your eyes are being checked with hospital-grade technology. By choosing to include an OCT scan in your eye examination, you’re giving yourself the best chance of maintaining healthy vision for years to come.
FAQs
How many practices have this technology?
We believe we are currently only one of three high street practices in Highland offering this scan (September 2025). You will find Optos scanners in some Ophthalmology departments in hospitals. There are now over 10,000 Optos scanners worldwide!
If I don't have an OCT or Optomap scan, will I still get a thorough exam?
Your Optometrist intends to give you the best exam possible. The OCT and Optomap scans have been proven to help Optometrists detect problems earlier. Most eye disorders do not cause pain or other symptoms and whilst conditions that can be detected with advanced scanning may not be picked up without these scans, your eye exam without this technology is still comprehensive and our Optometrists will do the same checks that you have had previously. When detected early enough, many retinal problems can be treated to avoid vision loss. Once a retinal problem has caused a loss in vision, it is almost never reversible. Early detection is vital to preserving good eye health. Not having these advanced scans may mean an eye concern is not detected at an early stage.
What age group are these scans for?
All ages! The Optomap scanner was actually designed with children in mind! The designers 5 year old son became blind in one eye due to a retinal tear that was not picked up due to a lack of available technology. If the Optomap scans had been available it is likely the tear would have been picked up and treated, saving the sight in this eye.
OCT and Optomap are available for all ages.
I don't have any complaints and I can see well; should I have these scans?
Most eye disorders to not cause pain or other symptoms. When detected early enough, many retinal problems can be treated to avoid vision loss. Early detection is vital to preserving good eye health.
Does these scans hurt and are they safe?
These scans are safe, they do not hurt and are suitable for all ages. These scans are also safe during pregnancy.