Ultrasound examination of the eyes (Ophthalmoechoscopy)

Ultrasound examination of the eye occupies an important place in ophthalmic practice – it is one of the main tools that complements the generally accepted methods for diagnosing eye pathologies. Ultrasound of the eye is a high-precision, painless and safe examination method that allows you to diagnose the state of the structures of the eyeball – the retina, eye muscles, lens. The technique of echo-ophthalmoscopy helps to establish an accurate diagnosis and detect various ophthalmic diseases in the early stages.

Ultrasound of the eye is used not only to detect and confirm various ophthalmic pathologies, but also to measure specific biometric parameters and determine a number of quantitative values. With the help of ultrasound, it is possible to carry out high-precision measurements of the eyeball, obtain information about the state of the structures and elements of the eye, the optic nerve, and evaluate blood flow in the vessels of the retina and orbit.

Methods of ultrasound diagnostics of the eyes

In ophthalmic practice, several methods of ultrasound diagnostics (scanning modes) are used, each of them has its own technical features, differs in diagnostic capabilities and is intended for specific medical cases.

One-dimensional echography (A-mode) is an effective way to determine the size of the eye, internal structures and elements. It is used before surgery.

An anesthetic is instilled into the eye for pain relief. The essence of the procedure is that the specialist drives the sensor along the eyeball. The information obtained is displayed on a computer monitor in the form of a graph, which indicates the key parameters of the eyeball.

Examination in the A-mode allows you to measure the axial length of the eye, the depth of its anterior chamber, and the parameters of the lens with high accuracy. These data are of decisive importance in preparation for cataract extraction, for accurate calculation of the optical power of the artificial lens, and in the diagnosis of refractive errors. A-mode ultrasound can also identify and evaluate intraocular tumors.

Two-dimensional echography (B-mode) is a scan used to assess the internal structure of the organ of vision. A two-dimensional picture of the structures of the eye is displayed on the computer screen. B-mode scanning has more advanced features than A-mode. With its help, not a graph is received on the monitor, but a two-dimensional image with a detail of the internal structures of the eyeball: lens, retina, eye muscles, etc.

Examination in B-mode makes it possible to evaluate and differentiate intraocular changes with high accuracy: to determine the nature of the pathology, its form, extent. Unlike the static A-mode, the B-scan displays the intraocular picture in dynamics, which greatly expands its diagnostic potential.

Along with A- and B-methods, other scanning modes are also used in ophthalmic diagnostics.

Combined method – a mode that combines the capabilities of A- and B-diagnostics. This technique combines the advantages of one- and two-dimensional echography.

Three-dimensional echography is a highly informative method that provides three-dimensional acoustic visualization of intraocular structures. Advanced XNUMXD ultrasound technology provides a three-dimensional image of the organ of vision. This is an effective way that opens up wide possibilities. The image is given in volume and broadcast in real time, which allows you to assess the general condition of the eye in dynamics.

Color duplex scanning is a method that allows you to evaluate the parameters of blood flow in the orbital vessels. The study of the blood flow of the vessels of the eye makes it possible to diagnose vascular pathologies, which are sometimes the cause of visual impairment.

All ultrasound methods of eye examination are absolutely safe. Ultrasonic waves do not adversely affect the structures of the eye.

How an ultrasound examination of the eye is performed

The procedure is carried out in a sitting or lying position. It does not provide for any special training and its average duration is from 15 to 30 minutes.

Depending on the data that the ophthalmologist needs to clarify, there are two types of research.

Diagnosis in A-mode is carried out by contact method. The patient is with open eyes. Superficial anesthesia is carried out. This is done with two goals: to achieve immobility of the eye and to ensure painless manipulation. The eyes remain open. A sterile probe is placed on the surface of the eyeball. The probe of the ultrasound machine is in contact with the eye, and it is slowly moved over the surface. Lacrimal fluid acts as a natural contact medium.

Diagnosis in the B-mode is carried out with closed eyes. A hypoallergenic gel is applied to the eyelids, designed for ultrasound diagnostics. A sensor is placed on the upper eyelid. The specialist moves the sensor along the eyelid, periodically indicating what actions the patient needs to perform with his eyes.

The results of the study are recorded in the protocol. The procedure takes about half an hour. The information received is deciphered by a qualified doctor specializing in this area.

Indications for an ultrasound examination of the eyes

• closed injuries and damage to the eye;
• intraocular hemorrhages;
• suspicion of detachment of the inner membranes of the eye (retina, choroid);
• suspicion of damage / pathology of the optic nerve;
• progressive deterioration of vision;
• getting into the eye of foreign bodies (including those that are not determined by x-ray);
• clouding of the optical media of the eye;
• suspicion of intraocular and intraocular neoplasms;
• diagnosed glaucoma, cataract, myopia (nearsightedness) and hypermetropia (farsightedness) at various stages;
• carrying out preparatory measures before and after surgery;
• the need to assess the effectiveness of the treatment;
• anomalies in the structure of the eye;
• assessment of the state of paraorbital tissue;
• hereditary ophthalmic pathologies;
• the patient has diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, hypertension.

Diagnosable pathologies

Ultrasound diagnosis of the pathology of the eyeball and orbit allows you to identify the following conditions:

• destruction and displacement of intraocular tissues and membranes of the eye;
• decrease in the transparency of the refractive media of the eyeball;
• clouding of the vitreous body of various etiologies;
• dislocation of the lens;
• intraocular foreign bodies;
• vitreoretinal moorings;
• retinal detachment;
• changes in the accessory apparatus of the eye (diseases of the lacrimal gland, lesions of the oculomotor muscles);
• intraocular tumors, neoplasms of the cavity of the orbit and the optic nerve.

Ultrasound diagnostics is an indispensable tool for an ophthalmologist. Ultrasound of the eye is used to calculate the optical power of artificial lenses, to measure the biometric parameters of the eye and to identify various pathologies of the visual apparatus, eye vessels and optic nerve. Ultrasound scanning is of great value both in preparation for certain ophthalmic operations and in the dynamic evaluation of treatment results.

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