OCTA

[jjma]

Hi All

Has anyone had an OCT angiogram on the NHS in the UK ? I was referred to the eye hospital about 2 years ago for suspected MD in my left eye but didn't want to have the standard FA (dye) angiogram as I wasn't comfortable with it ! I mentioned that I had read about an alternative, OCT-A , to the consultant who said she knew about it but the hospital did not have this equipment.. that was 2 years ago .. my eyesight (left eye) has deteriorated further now & I wondered if anyone knows if this 'new' OCT-A equipment is more widely available now ? Thanks

[tallyho]

I had an OCT-A last year ( Oct) in Surrey. Much nicer than normal FA as no drugs are involved

[ironbrain]

It was still dye when I had an indocyanine green angiogram done a couple of weeks ago at MREH checking for polyps. There was a new machine in the prep room – I was wondering what it might be.

[JimGlanDwr]

More fool you because of your delay your eyesight is worse.

[Depoefan in reply to JimGlanDwr]

Wow, your response is very harsh and absolutely not necessary. Her eyesight most likely progressed just as it would have. AMD does not get better with treatment at this time.

[JimGlanDwr in reply to Depoefan]

Our daughter has had Melanoma in her eye (look it it up to see how serious this is) she didn't fuss about treatment and pick and choose like she was buying a pair of shoes. She had proton beam treatment in her eye, not nice at all. She hopes she will live but there is only a 30% chance of surviving more than 3 years. Is that harsh enough for you?

Despite this she is now looking for work and is driving again.

[Beldie in reply to JimGlanDwr]

I think there is no place on this forum for patients to be the target of others' bitterness about their or their daughter's condition, which is obviously very serious. But playing the game 'I'm worse off than you' is not at all helpful.

[JimGlanDwr in reply to Beldie]

If anyone thinks I'm nasty because I found it ridiculous for someone to refuse treatment when offered because they didn't fancy it, and expect another type of treatment sometime in the future, they can.

Why don't they look at the Clic Sargent or the GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital) sites and see what treatment young children have in the hope of having a better life.

I'm not bitter about our daughter just pointing out there are far worse treatments and she had recommended treatment however uncomfortable, read my reply again please.

Likewise My wife a cancer survivor had three months Chemotherapy with all the side effects and six week Radiotherapy. That was several years ago so far with regular check ups she's clear. She knew the treatment might not work but had it anyway.

As for the assumption above that it didn't really matter as her eyesight would deteriorate anyway I find strange, so all of us who are trying our best to protect our eyes by doing the right things are wasting our time. Likewise we may as well over eat the wrong foods, take no exercise, smoke and drink to excess as we will die sometime anyway.

[Beldie in reply to JimGlanDwr]

My response was that your remark was unkind, hurtful and not at all helpful. No more and no less. And I repeat it; none of us needs your criticism. I am really sorry you feel the way you do but suggest you try to see things from another's point of view and not to react so quickly. Good luck for the future.

[Ceri2]

Hi Jjma,

Just wanting to offer some encouragement as the fleuroscine angiograms aren’t pleasant. I’ve had four [UK NHS) over the last few years and although they are unpleasant and make me nauseous, that does pass quite quickly they are quite do able. If there are any concerns that dry AMD has turned to wet (wavy lines, gaps in vision) it may be worth you re considering. As, if I have understood correctly, the angiogram can spot where a leak is, OCT is limited to showing fluid. I live in a big city with a fabulous eye clinic, but no, we don’t have any new scanners. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I have had over 100 OCT scans at 4 week intervals on the NHS but I have not encountered OCT-A.

What is the difference between it and a standard OCT?

Incidentally, there are some new and improved OCT scanners about to enter the market. I am on a working group for one which is so fast will scan successfully even if the patient moves their eye or blinks!

[ironbrain]

I had my appointment with MREH yesterday. Someone sitting close to me was sent to Clinic E for ... an OCT-A.