Visus writes: Is practising without an OCT really enough?

Les Clarke has thrown down a challenge to optometrists thinking about advanced OCTs. “Does an optometrist really need this”, asks Les. “Once we have referred the patient to the NHS they do their own with full dilation etc. A basic OCT and a new SLO fundus camera along with a slit lamp, Volk and ophthalmoscope should be enough”.

I can feel a really interesting debate coming along here. Les has laid down a gauntlet by implication that practising without a basic (sic) OCT and SLO camera is “not enough”. Certainly the sales reported from Optrafair last month suggests that OCT has moved well beyond early adopters, not least that Leighton’s has announced an OCT roll out along with a refit. Clearly Ryan Leighton is taking the brand up market reflecting their perspective of a being a multiple with the soul of an independent. Newly qualified ? Does your employer have an OCT ? No ? Interesting conundrum.