OCT

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

OCT
Stands forOctober
Meanings2
CategoriesUnits & Measurements, Medical
Also writtenOct

OCT has two meanings. It stands for October (month) or Optical coherence tomography (ophthalmology & ENT).

Meanings of OCT at a glance

#OCT stands forContext
1OctoberUnits & Measurements › Month
2Optical coherence tomographyMedical › Ophthalmology & ENT

1. October (Oct)

Units & Measurements · Month Abbreviations

Despite having 31 days as the tenth month, October takes its name from Latin octo, eight, a reminder that the Roman year once began in March. Halloween falls on October 31.

Example: Open enrollment begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

In dated references AP shortens it to Oct. Russia's "October Revolution" took place on November 7, 1917, by the Gregorian calendar, because Russia still used the Julian calendar, then 13 days behind. Canada's Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday in October.

2. Optical coherence tomography

Medical · Ophthalmology & ENT Abbreviations

Noninvasive imaging test that uses light waves to produce cross-sectional pictures of the retina and optic nerve with micrometer resolution, in seconds and without contact. It is essential for managing macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and glaucoma.

Example: OCT macula OD: intraretinal fluid resolved, central thickness 265 microns.

First described by researchers at MIT in 1991, OCT became one of the most commonly performed tests in ophthalmology. OCT angiography shows retinal blood flow without dye. Nerve fiber layer scans detect early glaucoma. The technique is also used in cardiology to image coronary arteries.

More month abbreviations

See all 12 month abbreviations →

More ophthalmology & ENT abbreviations

  • NPC – Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  • NPDR – Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • NTG – Normal-tension glaucoma
  • OAE – Otoacoustic emissions
  • OE – Otitis externa
  • OM – Otitis media
  • OME – Otitis media with effusion
  • PACG – Primary angle-closure glaucoma

See all 74 ophthalmology & ENT abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.