AI for Decision Support with OCT: An Interview with Clara Pereira, Optometrist from Franco Oculista

About Franco Oculista Optometry in Portugal.

Franco Oculista is the optometry center with a 70-year-old history: its roots date back to the mid-1950s in Luanda, where it was founded by Gonçalo Viana Franco. Having left behind a career in pharmacy, Gonçalo pursued his entrepreneurial vision by opening an optician’s bearing his name in the heart of the Angolan capital. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a deep sense of dedication, he turned his dream into reality. With a commitment to professionalism and a forward-thinking approach, he integrated the most innovative technologies available at the time. This blend of passion, expertise, and innovation established Franco Oculista as a benchmark for quality and excellence in the field. In 1970s, the family returned to Portugal and opened the new FRANCO OCULISTA space on Avenida da Liberdade.

How do Franco Oculista describe their mission?

“Through individualized and segmented service, we seek to respond to the needs of each client. We combine our knowledge with the most sophisticated technical equipment and choose quality and reliable brands. We prioritize the evolution of our services and, for this reason, we work daily to satisfy and retain our customers with the utmost professionalism.”

Clara Pereira is one of the optometrists at Franco Oculista and has been an optometrist for nearly two decades. Based in a private clinic in Portugal, she brings years of experience and calm confidence to her consultations. We talked with her to learn how her clinical practice has evolved, particularly since integrating OCT and, more recently, Altris AI – AI for Decision Support with OCT.

Altris AI: Clara, can you tell us a bit about your daily work?

Clara: “Of course. I’ve been working as an optometrist for 19 years now. My practice is quite comprehensive—I assess refractive status, binocular vision, check the anterior segment with a slit lamp, measure intraocular pressure, and always examine the fundus.

Clara: “In Portugal, we face limitations. We’re not allowed to prescribe medication or perform cycloplegia, so imaging becomes crucial. I rely heavily on fundus photography and OCT to guide referrals and detect early pathology.”

Altris AI: How central is OCT diagnostics to your workflow?
Clara: “OCT is substantial. I perform an OCT exam on nearly every patient, on average, eight OCT exams per day. It’s an essential part of how I gather information. With just one scan, I can learn so much about eye health.”

Altris AI: What kind of conditions do you encounter most frequently?
Clara: “The most common diagnosis is epiretinal membrane—fibrosis. But I also manage patients with macular degeneration and other retinal pathologies. Having the right tools is key.”

Altris AI: And what OCT features do you use the most?
Clara: “I regularly use the Retina, Glaucoma, and Macula maps. But if I had to choose one, the Retina Map gives me the most complete picture. It’s become my go-to.”

Altris AI: You’ve recently started using Altris AI. What has that experience been like?
Clara: “At first, I didn’t know much about it. But when Optometron introduced Altris AI to me—a company I trust—I didn’t hesitate. And I’m glad I didn’t. From the beginning, it felt like a natural extension of my clinical reasoning.

Clara: “Altris AI gives me an extra layer of certainty. It helps me extract more from the OCT images. I usually interpret the scan myself first, and then I run it through the platform. That way, I validate my thinking while also learning something new.”

Altris AI: Have any standout cases where Altris AI made a difference?

Clara: “Yes. I’ve had a few. One was a case of advanced macular degeneration, in which the AI visualization really helped me explain the condition to the patient. Another was using anterior segment maps for fitting scleral lenses—Altris was incredibly useful there, too. I do a lot of specialty lens fittings, so that was a big advantage.”

Altris AI: Would you recommend Altris AI to your colleagues?

Clara: “I would recommend Altris AI to my colleagues. For me, it’s about more than just the diagnosis. It’s about feeling confident that I’m seeing everything clearly and giving my patients the best care possible. Altris AI helps me do exactly that.”

Why This Matters: Altris AI in Real Practice

Clara’s story reflects the real value of AI in optometry—not as a replacement for clinical judgment, but as a powerful companion. With every OCT scan, she strengthens her expertise, improves diagnostic accuracy, and gives her patients the reassurance they deserve.

Whether identifying early signs of fibrosis, supporting complex scleral lens fittings, or acting as a second opinion, Altris AI seamlessly fits into the modern optometrist’s workflow, making every scan more meaningful.

AI for Decision Support with OCT: Transforming Retinal Diagnostics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of ophthalmology, particularly through its integration with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). OCT is a non-invasive imaging technique that captures high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina, enabling early detection and monitoring of various ocular conditions. However, interpreting these scans requires time, expertise, and consistency—factors that AI-based decision support systems are uniquely positioned to enhance.

Altris AI (AI for OCT decision support platform) analyzes thousands of data points across B-scans, automatically detecting retinal pathologies, quantifying biomarkers, and identifying patterns that may be subtle or overlooked by the human eye. By providing objective, standardized assessments, Altris AI reduces diagnostic variability and improves clinical accuracy, especially in busy or high-volume practices.

For optometrists and ophthalmologists, AI acts as a second opinion, flagging early signs of diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. It streamlines workflows by highlighting areas of concern, prioritizing cases that require urgent attention, and offering visual explanations that are easy to communicate to patients.

Moreover, Altris AI enableS longitudinal tracking of pathology progression. By comparing OCT scans over time ( even from various OCT devices), clinicians can monitor subtle changes in drusen volume, retinal thickness, supporting timely clinical decisions and tailored treatment strategies. The integration of AI into OCT interpretation not only enhances diagnostic confidence but also supports evidence-based care, early intervention, and improved patient outcomes. As AI continues to evolve, it will play a vital role in advancing precision medicine in ophthalmology, empowering eye care professionals with tools that are fast, reliable, and scalable.

In essence, AI for OCT decision support is not replacing clinical expertise; it is augmenting it, elevating the standard of care through speed, accuracy, and actionable insights.