Magherafelt optician invests £40K in technology

The hospital quality machinery can help detect treatable eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration sooner.

An OCT scan allows an optician to look deeper into the eyes than ever before, and it can help to detect glaucoma up to four years in advance. Given that nearly half of all sight loss is preventable 1, an OCT scan means conditions can be managed before they get worse and can help prevent potential sight loss.

Brian O’Kane, optometry director and owner of Specsavers in Magherafelt said: “This investment gives our store team the ability to enhance services to our local community by helping to detect and manage conditions, with a level of diagnostic capability which previously would have needed a hospital visit.

“We’re currently marking World Glaucoma Week (March 7-14) which highlights the importance of getting regular eye tests as an eye examination can detect general health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension as well as conditions such as glaucoma which impact on eyesight.

“Our OCT scans which cost £10 are in addition to a normal eye test, and a customer’s OCT images will be stored so that changes over time can be noted which is an important benefit to the monitoring of someone’s overall eye health.

“Our store is open for eye and hearing needs during the current lockdown restrictions. We ask that customers request an appointment in advance by phone or online to help manage social distancing and minimise time spent in store.

“The safety and wellbeing of everyone is paramount and, in line with Public Health Agency guidance, we have numerous safety measures in place. These include restrictions on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time, social distancing, and bank card instead of cash payments, where possible. We use personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the store, wear face masks and other PPE during tests, and all testing equipment and frames are thoroughly sanitised before and after each use.”

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