With the advent of the ultrasound examination method, it has become much easier to make a diagnosis. This method is especially convenient in ophthalmology. Ultrasound of the eye allows you to identify the slightest disturbances in the condition of the eyeball, to evaluate the work of muscles and blood vessels. This research method is the most informative and safest. It is based on the reflection of ultrasonic waves from hard and soft tissues. The device emits, and then picks up the reflected waves. Based on this, a conclusion is made about the state of the organ of vision.
What is an ultrasound done for?
The procedure is carried out with suspicion of a variety of pathologies of the organ of vision. It not only allows you to correctly diagnose, but also allows the doctor to adjust treatment if necessary. Using ultrasound of the orbits of the eyes, the specialist determines the features of their movement inside the eyeball, checks the condition of the muscles and the optic nerve. An ultrasound examination is also prescribed before surgery to clarify the diagnosis. Ultrasound of the eye should be done with such diseases:
- glaucoma and cataracts;
- myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism;
- retinal dystrophy or detachment ;
- tumors inside the eyeball;
- diseases of the optic nerve;
- with the appearance of spots and "flies" in front of the eyes;
- with a sharp decrease in visual acuity;
- after surgery to monitor the position of the lens or the condition of the fundus;
- with eyeball injury.
An ultrasound examination of the fundus is often prescribed for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disease. Even for young children, it is done with suspected pathology of the development of the eyeball. In such conditions, ultrasound should be performed regularly to monitor the state of the organ of vision. In some cases, an examination is simply necessary. For example, with clouding of the retina, it is impossible to study the condition of the eyeball in any other way.
What pathologies does this examination method reveal
Ultrasound of the eye is a very informative procedure, since with it you can see the state of the organ of vision in real time. During the study, such pathologies and conditions are revealed:
- clouding of the lens;
- change in the length of the muscles of the eyeball;
- the presence of an inflammatory process;
- the exact size of the eye socket is determined;
- the presence of a foreign body inside the eyeball, its position and size;
- change in the thickness of adipose tissue.
Ultrasound of the eye: how to do it
This is the safest method for examining the organ of vision. Assign it even to young children and pregnant women. Contraindications include only serious eyeball injury or a retinal burn. Ultrasound of the eye takes only 15-20 minutes and does not require any special preparation. The only thing is that you need to come to the procedure without makeup. Most often, an ultrasound scan is performed in this way: the patient sits or lies on the couch, and the doctor drives with a special sensor through closed eyelids, smeared with a special gel. From time to time, he asks the subject to turn the eyeballs to the side, up or down. This allows you to observe their work and assess the condition of the muscles.
Types of ultrasound
There are several types of ultrasound of the eye. The choice of examination method depends on the disease and the condition of the patient.
- A-mode is used very rarely, mainly before surgery. This retinal ultrasound is performed with open eyelids. Previously, an anesthetic is instilled into the eye so that the patient does not feel anything and does not blink. This method of examination allows you to determine the presence of pathologies in the organ of vision and deficiencies in its functioning. With its help, the sizes of the eyeball are also determined.
- The most commonly used B-mode. In this case, the sensor is driven by a closed eyelid. Drops do not need to be used with this method, but the eyelid is covered with a special conductive gel. During the procedure, the patient may need to move the eyeball in different directions. The result of the study is issued in the form of a two-dimensional picture.
- Doppler examination is a scan of the eyeball that allows you to study the condition of its vessels. It is carried out with ocular vein thrombosis, narrowing of the carotid artery, spasm of the retinal vessels or other pathologies.
To obtain a more accurate diagnosis, in complex cases, several examination methods are prescribed.
How to choose an ophthalmology center
After receiving the doctor’s recommendations about the need for an ultrasound examination, the patient is free to choose where to do it. In almost all cities, you can now find an ophthalmological center where there is special equipment. Experienced doctors will carry out the procedure correctly and painlessly. When choosing a center, one should focus not on prices, but on the qualifications of specialists and patient reviews. On average, an eye ultrasound costs about 1300 rubles. You should not look for where to make it cheaper, as it is better if all the inspection rules are followed. After receiving the results, you can consult an ophthalmologist at the same center or go to your doctor.
Reviews about the procedure
The ability of modern medicine to conduct such examinations of the organ of vision allows the early detection of pathologies and the development of serious diseases. This helps the patient start treatment on time and prevent vision loss. People who underwent ultrasound examination of the eye, note the simplicity and painlessness of the procedure. They like that no preparation for it is required, it does not cause discomfort, and in time it takes only about 15 minutes, but it gives complete information about the state of the organ of vision, blood vessels and muscles.
The procedure has many more advantages: safety, lack of contraindications and low price. Among the negative reviews can be noted unpleasant sensations when applying the gel and the need to additionally go to the doctor again to decipher the results.
Vision is very important for a person. Reducing its severity or any eye disease greatly reduces the quality of life and performance. The performed eye ultrasound procedure allowed many to start treatment on time and avoid vision loss.