A US study comparing the performance and usability of self-operated optical coherence tomography (OCT) system Notal-OCT V2.5 with commercial OCTs found 90% of patients could competently use the device to capture gradable images of their macula at home. 

Researchers found that fluid detection with the Notal OCT had a sensitivity of 91.9% and specificity of 97%.  

“The study of 196 patients demonstrated that elderly patients with intermediate or advanced AMD can effectively self-operate an OCT and that they would consider using it to self-test at home,” said research lead Professor Judy Kim, Medical College Wisconsin. “Home OCT provides us with an opportunity to personalise AMD management as well as addressing the treatment burden.”  

The findings were presented at the American Association of Ophthalmology.