Ocular Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients Referred with Ocular Complaints

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the ocular ultrasonographic (USG) features in various types of ocular diseases; to evaluate the role of ocular sonography and color doppler in various ocular conditions; and to compare the USG findings in post-operative patients in selected cases.

Methods: This was a descriptive observational study conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vinayaka Mission’s Medical College, Karaikal, Puducherry between December 2022, and December 2023. The study included all the patients referred to the department for B-scan with ocular complaints and having a clinical suspicion of ocular disease.

Results: The study involved 100 patients, with 110 eyes examined due to some patients having both eyes affected. The mean age was 56.37 years, with a range of two to 86 years, predominantly in the age group of 51 to 70 years. Diminished vision was the most common complaint (99%), followed by pain, redness, and eye discharge. Most cases had no history of surgery or trauma (78%), while 22% had such a history. A significant portion were diabetic (28%) or hypertensive (18%), with some having both conditions (2%). Axial length of involved eyes ranged from 21.1 to 27.3 mm, with 98.2% falling between 22 to 25 mm. Common ultrasound findings included heterogeneous echogenicity of the lens (38.2%) and normal posterior segments (43%), with various abnormalities observed in the remaining cases, such as detached retina (16.4%) and choroid detachment (2.7%). Based on ultrasound, the most frequent diagnosis was cataract (30.3%), followed by retinal detachment (17.3%). Diagnostic accuracy compared to operative findings was 100%. Management included lensectomy with intraocular lens implantation (33.6%) and various vitrectomy procedures. Follow-up showed improved vision in 57.3% of cases, with different postoperative observations, including retina under gas or oil and clear secondary lens. The diagnosis which was made preoperatively with the help of USG was correct when compared against operative diagnosis, achieving 100% accuracy for all the diagnosis.

  Conclusion: USG should be the first line of investigation in patients presenting with ocular complaints that can be used as a bedside imaging modality.