Advanced Eye Scans: Are They Worth the Investment?

When your optometrist offers an 'advanced scan' with added expenses, it's natural to question the value it brings. This article delves into the significance of such scans, their potential benefits, and when they are a worthwhile investment.

An Overview of Advanced Scans

Whether the advanced scan offered by your optometrist is worth it depends on several factors:

Purpose of the Scan: Advanced scans such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provide detailed images of the retina and can help detect conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma more effectively than standard examinations. Your Eye Health: If you have a family history of eye diseases, existing eye conditions, or specific symptoms such as vision changes, an advanced scan might be particularly beneficial. Cost vs. Benefit: Consider the cost of the scan relative to the potential benefits. If the scan could lead to early detection of a serious condition, it may be worth the investment for peace of mind and proactive health management. Your Optometrist’s Recommendation: If your optometrist is recommending this scan, it’s likely because they believe it will provide valuable information about your eye health. Insurance Coverage: Check if your insurance covers any part of the advanced scan. If it does, that could influence your decision.

Value of an OCT Scan

Was this an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan? My optician charges an extra ￡10 for this, and it’s worth every penny. Discuss with your optometrist, as it can significantly enhance the diagnostic capabilities.

Factors Influencing the Recommendation

Depends on your age, existing history, family history, and if it is covered by insurance. If your eyes were dilated for a fundus exam, it may not be necessary. My question is, what is he looking for?

My Professional Perspective: In my training, I was guided by the principle: "Don’t order a test unless you are going to do something different as a result of the test." If you have a disease like diabetes, macular degeneration, glaucoma, or many others, computerized scans of the eye are indeed worthwhile to look for defects too subtle to be seen by the examiner's eye.

Conversely, if you are otherwise healthy and have no particular risk factors, doing an expensive scan 'just because insurance will pay for it' is not my idea of good medicine. Optometrists are not MDs and are neither trained nor licensed to diagnose or treat diseases. Thus, the value of the scan isn’t always obvious.

Always consult with your optometrist to understand the specific benefits in your case. A detailed discussion with them can help ensure that you are making an informed decision about your eye health.