OCULAR TRAUMA - EVALUATION WITH US

PURPOSE: To examine the value of real-time ultrasonography (US) in the assessment of traumatized eyes with opaque ocular media. MATERIALS AN D METHODS: Sixty-one eyes in 60 patients were prospectively examined w ith US; findings were correlated with findings of clinical and surgica l followup. Patients with an intraocular foreign body (IOFB) also unde rwent computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: US demonstrated 56 vitreous h emorrhages, 21 retinal detachments, 12 vitreous detachments, five chor oidal detachments, seven IOFBs, three dislocated lenses, and two retro hyaloid hemorrhages. Findings of US and surgery or clinical follow-up were in complete concurrence in 55 cases (90%) and partial concurrence in two eases (3%). US findings were incorrect in four cases (7%). In four cases, US allowed diagnoses that were unsuspected clinically. CON CLUSION US accurately demonstrates ocular damage and may reveal unsusp ected problems. US was superior to CT in demonstration of intraocular damage associated with IOFBs, although CT was superior in determinatio n of the size and site of the IOFB. The presence of dense vitreous tra ction bands may indicate impending retinal detachment.