Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the ability and role of ultrasound biomicroscopy in imaging the peripheral retina, pars plana, and anterior choroid. DESIGN: The study design was a case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with a variety of clinical diagnoses involving the anterior portion of the posterior segment were studied. INTERVENTION: High-frequency (50 MHz), high-resolution (50 microns) ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed. RESULTS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was capable of imaging the peripheral retina, pars plana, and anterior choroid. Images had features consistent with known histopathology. Retinoschisis consisted of one thin hyper-reflective echo and could be differentiated from a retinal detachment, which was thicker and formed a bilayered echo. A choroidal effusion could be identified as an echolucent space within the suprachoroidea, whereas a choroidal hemorrhage was moderately echodense. Inflammatory diseases, such as a sarcoid granuloma, pars planitis, and Harada's disease, were characterized by different forms of uveal thickening. A ciliochoroidal nevus was internally hyporeflective and could be measured accurately and localized. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging of the peripheral retina, pars plana, and anterior choroid is possible with ultrasound biomicroscopy and may aid in the diagnosis and management of pathology involving this region

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the reproducibility of retinal thickness measurements in normal eyes using optical coherence tomography (OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multiple 3.20-mm vertical cross-sectional images through the center of fixation of consecutive patients with normal results on ocular examinations were obtained. Each image was divided into seven 320-micron segments. Regional retinal thicknesses for each section were measured using both the manually assisted (requiring observer localization of reflectivity peaks) and the automated modes (observer-independent measurement) of the computer software. RESULTS: Eighteen right eyes were studied. The mean coefficient of variation was less than 10% for all locations using the manually assisted method (average standard deviation less than 17 microns [range 9 to 16 microns]). The automated method was less reliable, with a coefficient of variation greater than 10% for locations within 500 microns of fixation. Automated measurements at fixation were the least reproducible because of poor internal limiting membrane reflectivity. CONCLUSION: OCT is capable of reproducible measurement of retinal thickness in normal eyes. Computer-driven, automated measurement of retinal thickness within 500 microns of fixation needs to be refined and its reproducibility reassessed in this region

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the role of ultrasound biomicroscopy after ocular trauma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed in six eyes of six patients at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary after a variety of traumatic ocular injuries. RESULTS: Eyes with angle recession, iridodialysis, cyclodialysis, hyphema, an intraocular foreign body, scleral laceration, and subluxed crystalline lens were imaged without complication. Ultrasound biomicroscopy aided in the diagnosis when visualization was limited by media opacities or distorted anterior segment anatomy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a safe and effective adjunctive tool for the clinical assessment and management of ocular trauma, especially when visualization is limited and multiple traumatic injuries are involved

The electro-oculogram has been applied in the diagnostic evaluation of eyes with malignant uveal melanoma. Typically, a marked reduction in the light peak to dark trough ratio has been reported. We studied two patients with histologically confirmed uveal malignant melanomas in whom the preenucleation electro-oculograms were normal. The electro-oculogram should be evaluated within the framework of the clinical examination and other ancillary tests in the diagnostic evaluation of a suspected uveal malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Acute anterior uveitis has diverse causes and systemic associations. Inflammation is predominantly localised to the iris and pars plicata. Little is known about the in vivo effects of uveitis on ciliary body anatomy. METHODS: Bilateral, high frequency, high resolution, ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on consecutive patients with unilateral anterior uveitis to evaluate ciliary body anatomy. Imaging was repeated when possible during the clinical course. The cross sectional area of the anterior ciliary body was measured using image processing and analysis software. Measurements from the uveitic eyes were compared with the fellow eyes and the effect of treatment was evaluated. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were enrolled. Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrated a larger ciliary body cross sectional area in the uveitic eyes compared with the fellow, clinically uninvolved eyes (2.45 (SD 0.48) mm2 versus 1.55 (SD 0.15) mm2, (p = 0.0000; paired t test)). A ciliochoroidal effusion was present in one uveitic eye. Epithelial cysts were imaged bilaterally in four uveitic patients (29%) and unilaterally in unaffected eyes of two uveitic patients. Ciliary body cross sectional area decreased following steroid therapy (p = 0.0001; paired t test). New cysts were noted in three uveitic eyes during the follow up period and in none of the fellow, unaffected eyes. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound biomicroscopy offers a new approach to the evaluation of anterior uveitis. The response to treatment can be evaluated objectively and therapeutic efficacy can be more easily assessed. It has the potential to help elucidate the pathophysiology and anatomical changes of this heterogeneous group of disorders

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence, duration, and risk factors for ciliochoroidal effusion after panretinal photocoagulation. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with diabetic retinopathy underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy of both eyes to image the ciliochoroidal space immediately before and 1 day after unilateral argon-green panretinal photocoagulation. Imaging was repeated on days 3, 7, and 14 in patients in whom ciliochoroidal effusion developed. RESULTS: Low-lying ciliochoroidal effusions were imaged in 23 (59%) of 39 eyes. Of 23 eyes, effusions resolved in 6 (26%), 12 (52%), and 5 (22%) eyes by 3, 7, and 14 days respectively. The number of laser applications (P = 0.02), shorter axial length (P = 0.01), and percentage of retinal surface area treated (P = 0.02) were associated with systemic hypertension, location of treatment, previous panretinal photocoagulation of cataract surgery, retinal surface area treated, and mean blood pressure before photocoagulation were not associated with effusion. All fellow, untreated eyes remained effusion-free. CONCLUSION: Ciliochoroidal effusion develops commonly after panretinal photocoagulation. Limiting the number of laser applications and the percentage of retinal surface area treated reduces the likelihood of this complication. Eyes with shorter axial lengths are at higher risk