An OCT is now a routine diagnostic in most ophthalmology and many optometry practices, and the Zeiss Cirrus family is one of the most common platforms on the pre-owned market. The generations look alike but differ in ways that affect both price and what the device can do for you. This guide sets out what to compare.
What drives the price of a used OCT
Four things account for most of the difference between two pre-owned OCTs:
- Generation: newer platforms run current software and stay eligible for updates for longer.
- Licensed analysis modules: the analyses a unit can run are software licences. Two identical-looking units can differ greatly in what they offer.
- Included equipment: the instrument table, the review computer, the printer and any network licences.
- Documentation: service history and a recent calibration raise the value.
Cirrus 4000 vs Cirrus 5000
The Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 is the earlier generation. It remains a capable spectral-domain OCT for retinal and optic-nerve imaging, and it is the lowest-cost way into the Cirrus ecosystem. Before buying, confirm the highest software version the unit can run and whether that version supports the analyses and data export your practice needs.
The Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 is the later generation. It runs newer software and supports a wider range of analysis options. It usually costs more, and for a practice planning to keep the device for many years it is often the better long-term buy.
What AngioPlex adds
AngioPlex is Zeiss's OCT angiography option on the Cirrus 5000 platform. It builds images of retinal blood flow from repeated OCT scans, without dye injection. For retina-focused practices it is often the deciding feature. For general practices it may be capability they rarely use, so compare the price difference against how often you would order the scan.
AngioPlex is a licensed capability tied to the unit. Confirm in writing that it is active on the device you are buying and that it transfers with the sale.
Anterior segment imaging
The Cirrus platforms are primarily posterior-segment devices. Practices that mainly need anterior chamber and angle imaging, for example for refractive or glaucoma work, may also consider a dedicated anterior-segment OCT such as the Zeiss Visante.
Before you buy
Get written answers to the following:
- Serial number, manufacturing date and installed software version.
- The full list of active licences and analysis modules, and confirmation that each one transfers.
- Whether the existing patient database will be wiped. It must be, and you should get it in writing, because patient data cannot travel with the device.
- Whether the review station, table and any network licences are included.
- Who installs and calibrates the unit, and what the warranty covers.
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