Optical coherence tomography: an assessment of current training across all levels of seniority in 8 ophthalmic units in the united kingdom

Background Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is becoming an increasingly integral part of ophthalmological clinical practice. The accurate interpretation of OCT images is important both in terms of diagnosis and in directing subsequent management. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical competence in OCT image interpretation of ophthalmologists in different subspecialties and grades.Methods Eight OCT images demonstrating a single macular pathology and two normal scans were selected by case notes review. These ten images were shown to thirty doctors and 10 non-medical staff from eight units. They were asked to identify each lesion, the average thickness of the lesion, and the axis at which the OCT was taken. One point was awarded for each correct answer.Results The mean scores for the correct qualitative identification of the OCT lesion (with a maximum score of 10) for different grades of doctors and non-medical staff were as follows: medical retinal consultants (MRC), 9 (range, 8-10); vitreoretinal consultants (VRC), 7 (range, 6-9); non-retinal consultants (NRC), 4 (range, 2-6); vitreoretinal fellows (VRF), 4 (range, 3-7); specialist registrars (SpR), 3 (range, 2-5); senior house officers (SHO), 4 (range, 3-6); orthoptists, 1 (range, 0-1); ancillary staff, 2 (range, 0-3).Conclusion A wide range in the ability to accurately interpret OCT images has been demonstrated. All doctors would thereby benefit from further training in the interpretation of OCT scans.