1377 – Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for retinal assessment in the presence of diabetic macular oedema (DMO) for access to treatment with dexamethasone posterior segment drug delivery system

New MBS item.

OCT is a non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technique, which provides high-resolution cross-sectional images of the macula, allowing identification of changes due to ophthalmologic conditions. OCT is based on the light reflectance properties of the tissue and provides tissue morphology imagery at higher resolution (better than 10 µm) than other imaging modalities such as MRI or ultrasound.

OCT is intended to be used for diagnosis and monitoring of retinal diseases in a specialist ophthalmologic setting. It is used in conjunction with visual acuity assessments, clinical examination and fluorescein angiography.

Type: Co-dependent technology

Diabetic retinopathy is defined as the presence of typical retinal microvascular lesions in persons with diabetes mellitus. DMO, a specific form of diabetic retinopathy, is usually defined as a retinal thickening within two disc diameters of the macula.

DMO is associated with damage to the microvasculature, including retinal haemorrhages, exudates, micro-aneurysms, microvascular abnormalities and areas of capillary closure; leading to the accumulation of fluid and serum macromolecules in the intercellular space. As a result, thickening of the retina and fovea can occur, leading to disturbances in visual acuity.

• PASC meeting: 
  • 16 - 17 April 2014
  • 14 - 15 August 2014
• ESC meeting: 12 - 13 February 2015
• MSAC meeting: 
  • 1 - 2 April 2015
  • 30 - 31 March 2016