584 - Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Aston University has procured 2 x Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) instruments split between two (2) Lots as below. Due to strict study deadlines it is time critical that delivery is received by Aston, installation, commissioning, training and user acceptance is completed no later than the 21st May 2021. Suppliers were welcome to offer bids against a single lot, or both lots. Lot 1 - 1 x Standard OCT Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) devices are analogous to ultrasound and are capable of imaging the retina and anterior eye in cross section to detect disease and abnormality. Currently, we only have two such devices in our teaching clinics for 450 students to use with their patients in the Eye Clinic. Our students have already commented on the lack of OCT instruments at Aston in their 2018 and 2019 NSS responses, so we must improve this ratio by purchasing additional devices. Student access and exposure to an OCT will also be a factor considered by the General Optical Council at their accreditation and quality assurance visit in November 2019. The pandemic has highlighted the need for another OCT for teaching which will support learning outcomes. Lot 2 - 1 x Anterior OCT This instrument allows high-resolution visualisation of the entire anterior segment, from the anterior surface of the cornea to the posterior surface of the lens. It delivers revealing swept-source OCT images that provide visual confirmation and add reliability as well as accuracy to the diagnosis and follow-up of anterior segment alterations.