ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of ultrasound biomicroscopy in imaging eyes with blunt eye trauma. A retrospective review of 23 patients referred to the Department of Ophthalmology of Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, between August 2009 and April 2010 was performed. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmic and ultrasound biomicroscopic examination. Twenty three eyes of 23 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 32.18±9.66 (range: 20-63) years. The mean intraocular pressure in the affected eye was 20.36±3.54 mmHg. Etiological factors were as follows; playing accident (45.45%), work accident (36.36%), assault (9.09%) and traffic accident (9.09%). The most common findings detected on ultrasound biomicroscopy were hyphema (8 eyes, 34.7%), angle recession (8 eyes, 34.7%), zonular deficiency (4 eyes, 17.3%), iridodialysis (4 eyes, 17.3%), crystalline lens subluxation (2 eyes, 8.6%), peripheral anterior synechiae (2 eyes, 8.6%) and intraocular lens dislocation (1 eye, 4.3%). Of the 23 patients, 4 (17.3%) underwent one of the ophthalmic surgeries including cataract surgery, filtration surgery, iris repair and intraocular lens reposition. We conclude that besides its benefits in surgical planning, ultrasound biomicroscopy may have a special role in detecting anterior segment pathologies, which may not be identified on clinical examination.

Keywords: Blunt eye trauma, ultrasound biomicroscopy