The Science Behind Advanced Eye Tests
When it comes to your eyesight, early detection is everything. Many of the most serious and often preventable eye conditions develop slowly and silently, with no pain and no obvious symptoms until the damage is already done. This is why the best modern eye care goes far beyond just reading letters on a chart.
At John Fell Opticians, your eye test is an experience designed around accuracy, comfort, and the long-term protection of your vision. Central to that commitment is our investment in cutting-edge diagnostic tools and technology, including OCT scanning and the Topcon TRK-2P. These tools allow us to examine your eyes in extraordinary detail, providing a window into your eye health that simply isn't possible with a standard sight test alone.
Whether you’ve never heard of an OCT scan before, or you’re curious about what an “advanced eye test” actually involves, we’re here to walk you through everything you need to know. Keep reading to learn more about how these modern tools help us protect your vision – not just today, but for years to come.
Why Modern Eye Care Involves More Than a Basic Sight Test
A standard sight test is designed to answer one important question: how well can you see? But vision isn’t the whole story. Healthy eyesight also depends on the condition of structures deep inside the eye, including the retina, the macula, and the optic nerve.
These areas can be affected by a range of conditions including:
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic eye disease
- Retinal swelling
- High-pressure changes
- Early structural abnormalities
Many of these conditions can cause irreversible, permanent damage to your eyesight when left undiagnosed and untreated. Some even begin years before obvious symptoms appear, meaning a traditional sight test or even a standard retinal photograph may not be enough to detect early changes.
That’s where advanced diagnostics come in.
Today, we have the technology to look deeper, see earlier, and detect smaller structural changes than ever before. This is why all eye testing at John Fell Opticians includes far more than simply checking your prescription. It’s a complete, in-depth assessment of your eye health and your long-term vision.
What Is an OCT Scan and What Can It Detect?
An OCT scan (Optical Coherence Tomography) is one of the most advanced imaging tools available in modern optometry. At John Fell Opticians, we use high-resolution OCT technology to produce detailed cross-section images of the back of your eye.
If you imagine a normal retinal photograph as a flat picture of a surface, an OCT scan is like a 3D ultrasound, showing us layer-by-layer what’s happening underneath.
An OCT scan allows us to examine:
- The retina
- The macula (a small part of the retina responsible for detailed central vision)
- The optic nerve head (where damage linked to glaucoma can first appear)
- The retinal nerve fibre layers
- Signs of inflammation or fluid
- Structural thinning or thickening
- Microscopic changes that aren’t yet visible at the surface
This technology is so sensitive that it’s able to pick up changes at the microscopic level, long before any noticeable symptoms arise.
As a result, OCT scans are key for early detection of:
- Glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular holes
- Vitreomacular traction
- Retinal swelling or fluid build-up
- Optic nerve abnormalities
Many of these conditions can be managed far more effectively when caught early. An OCT scan allows us to do exactly that. It’s also fast, completely non-contact, pain-free and safe for all ages. In a matter of seconds, you can transform your future eye-health.
Introducing the TRK-2P: Precision You Can Trust
Another key tool in our advanced eye examination is the Topcon TRK-2P, a highly sophisticated instrument that performs several essential measurements with exceptional accuracy.
This single device can perform:
- Auto-refraction – helping determine your prescription.
- Keratometry – measuring the shape and curvature of your cornea.
- Non-contact tonometry – measuring eye pressure (a key glaucoma risk factor).
- Pachymetry – measuring corneal thickness.
By combining four major diagnostic tools into a single instrument, the TRK-2P reduces variability and increases the precision of your results.
These accurate measurements are vital for detecting the risk of diseases such as glaucoma (through eye pressure and corneal thickness readings) and observing irregular corneal shapes, keratoconus and astigmatism. It can show us the smallest changes in your prescription and even if contact lenses may be a suitable option for you.
These measurements all form the foundation of your eye health assessment, ensuring that every result is dependable, repeatable, and extremely precise. Like the OCT scan, it’s also non-contact, meaning you don’t experience any discomfort – no longer do you need to dread that puff of air! The TRK-2P uses gentle, fast, and accurate readings that help make your exam smooth and stress-free.
Conditions Detected Early Thanks to This Technology
Our combination of OCT scanning and TRK-2P precision measurements gives us an enormous advantage in detecting many sight-threatening eye conditions early, often long before they cause any noticeable change in vision.
Here are some of the conditions we can identify at a much earlier stage:
1. Glaucoma
Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure inside the eye.
OCT scans allow us to detect thinning of the nerve layers long before symptoms occur, while TRK-2P readings help us assess pressure and corneal characteristics that influence risk.
2. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects central vision and is one of the leading causes of sight loss in adults over 50.
OCT scans reveal the earliest signs of drusen, fluid, or retinal changes that may indicate risk or early development.
3. Diabetic Retinopathy
For patients with diabetes, regular testing and eye health monitoring is essential.
OCT scanning can detect swelling, leaking blood vessels, and microscopic retinal changes far earlier than photographs alone.
4. Macular Holes and Vitreomacular Traction
These conditions can cause distortion or blurred central vision.
OCT scans allow early diagnosis so treatment can begin before any permanent damage occurs.
5. Keratoconus and Corneal Irregularities
Using TRK-2P keratometry and pachymetry, we can identify subtle changes in corneal shape or thickness, so we can make an early intervention.
6. Retinal Detachments (Early Warning Signs)
Structural changes around the retina can sometimes signal early risk of detachment, allowing us to act immediately with preventative measures.
7. High-Risk or Progressive Prescriptions
OCT and TRK-2P readings together help us monitor patients with a higher chance of developing eye issues in the future.
Early detection leads to early management – and early management leads to better eyesight for life.
Benefits to Long-Term Eye Health
Investing in advanced testing isn’t just about detecting conditions, but about protecting your vision for the future. By performing eye tests with advanced technology, you can experience:
- Earlier diagnosis: Finding changes before symptoms develop.
- More accurate monitoring: Tracking tiny structural differences over time.
- Better treatment outcomes: Early intervention leads to better long-term results.
- Peace of mind: Knowing your eyes are being examined using the best technology available.
- Personalised care: Results allow us to tailor advice and follow-up to your precise, unique needs.
Your eyesight is incredibly precious. Advanced testing gives us the diagnostic tools to look after it properly.
Why John Fell Opticians Invests in Advanced Technology
For almost 40 years, John Fell Opticians has operated on the basis that we believe our patients deserve the very best. This is why we continually invest in the latest highly advanced equipment, far beyond what is found in a basic sight test.
Here’s why this matters:
1. Accuracy Means Everything
Better data = better decisions. The more information we have, the more confidently we can diagnose and monitor your eye health.
2. Early Detection Saves Sight
Many eye diseases are silent in their early stages but have devastating consequences. Our technology allows us to catch them before they affect your daily life.
3. A More Comfortable Experience
Modern equipment is faster, gentler, and more reliable, reducing stress and improving the overall patient experience.
4. You Receive the Best Care Possible
We’re a proudly independent practice with a long-standing reputation for clinical excellence. These tools reflect our commitment to offering a premium, patient-focused service.
5. Your Eyes Deserve It
Your vision supports everything you do – working, driving, reading, enjoying life. We take that responsibility seriously, which is why we stay at the forefront of optical technology.
What to Expect During Your Advanced Eye Test
Your visit will be relaxed, friendly, and thorough. Our aim is to deliver the kind of appointment where you feel truly looked after. Your eye test will typically only last 20-30 minutes, with many of tests we perform taking a matter of seconds.
Here’s what your advanced eye examination will include:
1. A Warm Welcome
Our team will greet you, and together we’ll discuss any vision concerns and requirements, as well as your general health, relevant family history and lifestyle. We’ll also answer any initial questions you might have and guide you through the rest of the testing process step by step.
2. TRK-2P Precision Measurements
This will include:
- Eye pressure checks
- Corneal curvature readings
- Corneal thickness measurements
- Initial prescription assessment
All non-contact, quick, and comfortable.
3. OCT Scan (Optional)
If you choose one of our advanced eye tests that includes an OCT scan, you’ll look into the scanner while it captures detailed images of your retina. There’s no pain, no bright flashes, and it takes only seconds.
4. Comprehensive Eye Health Examination
Your optometrist will assess:
- The front and back of your eyes
- Your visual fields
- Your prescription (including the performance of any existing glasses or contact lenses)
- Your eye coordination
- Your tear film and eyelid health
- Any risk factors or early signs of disease
5. Clear Explanation of Your Results
We’ll show you the results and images, explain what we see, and make sure you fully understand your eye health.
6. Personalised Recommendations
Based on your results, we’ll let you know:
- How often you should have advanced imaging.
- Whether you need treatment, monitoring, or lifestyle adjustments.
- What eyewear or contact lenses best suit your eyes.
- Whether any follow-up is needed.
Every step is designed to make you feel informed, reassured, and confident about your eye health.
Book Your Advanced Eye Test Today
Your eyes deserve the best care. With our cutting-edge OCT technology, precise TRK-2P measurements, and friendly, expert team, an advanced eye test at John Fell Opticians offers much more than a standard sight check; it offers peace of mind.
Whether you’ve noticed changes in your vision or simply want a more detailed assessment, we’re here to help.
