OD needs OCT for small space, mature patients
Eric Bushman, OD, practices in Glendale, AZ. Nearby is a community for residents aged 55+ years, many of whom come to his practice. He noticed he was referring many of these patients for optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging—essentially “watch and wait”—that he could manage himself if he had the right equipment. About 18 months ago, he decided he needed OCT technology in his practice.
“Optometrists were trained to do it,” he says. “I feel like it's in our wheelhouse, and we should be able to do it easily. I’ve loved it, and I don’t like practicing without it, honestly.”
Dr. Bushman, who graduated from optometry school in 2017, investigated just about every OCT on the market. Only one fit his very specific need of limited space availability in his Costco location.
“I looked at all the different products, but I have such a small space for the OCT,” he says. “I don't have room for a computer or a desk. I needed something that could sit right next to the autorefractor where patients could go from one to the next to the next, and we could get patients in and out easily and smoothly.”
Dr. Bushman opted for the Optovue iScan 80 from Visionix which features a compact footprint as well as fully automated scan acquisition.
“My sales rep connected me with other Costco doctors who had it,” he says. “I was able to talk with them and hear their experiences. They loved it in their practices. That helped me to make the decision and feel comfortable doing it.”
OCT in Practice
In the 18 months since Dr. Bushman added the Optovue iScan 80 to his practice, the office averages about 10 OCTs per day. The three-doctor practice provides only out-of-pocket care without accepting managed vision or medical plans and offers an Optovue iWellness Scan for $40.
Says Dr. Bushman: “Having OCT has been great. We have a lot of patients who want the iWellness Scan. If they have family history of macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetes, we recommend it. We also recommend it for anyone 50 and older, which is a lot of our patient population. If I can't correct someone to 20/20 or you can't figure out what's going on with their vision, it's nice to be able to go back for more studies.”
Acquiring the Optovue iScan 80 for his practice has been a good decision, according to Dr. Bushman. Patient response has been positive with seeing and they have been very impressed with the use of cutting-edge technology.
Advice to other ODs
Dr. Bushman advises other ODs on the fence about incorporating OCT to take the leap. He says it’s a great practice builder, and it makes sense to have the technology because ODs have been trained to use it.
But he cautions that the decision to move forward must be practical.
“It has to make sense financially,” he says. “If you see no profitability, then it's a no go. But if your patient population could benefit and having OCT would increase your capacity as a doctor by treating more disease, you’re a good fit for an OCT.”
Standout Features of the Optovue iScan 80
- 80,000 A-scans/sec. for ultra-fast imaging
- Fully automated alignment and scan acquisition
- Compact all-in-one unit easily fits small spaces
- Retina, optic nerve, and anterior segment scanning capabilities
- iWellness exam for comprehensive retinal health screening
ERIC BUSHMAN, OD
Dr. Eric Bushman started managing the Arrowhead Costco practice in Glendale, AZ in July of 2021. He has loved working at several Costco locations in the Phoenix valley over the past 5 years. His passion is giving patients their best and most comfortable vision possible. Whether that be in prescribing glasses, contacts, treating disease, or slowing down nearsightedness, his fulfillment is connecting with patients and solving their concerns.
This article originally appeared on ODwire.org in December 2025: https://www.odwire.org/community/threads/od-needs-oct-for-small-space-mature-patients.173311/
**Medical procedures, case studies, and practices mentioned in this content may vary based on regional standards, local regulations, and the discretion of providing healthcare professional. What may be considered appropriate and ethical in one country may differ in another.
