Ultrasound: Eye Think It’s the Retina

Part 3 in a SeriesThe Problem: Unilateral, painless vision changes and floatersOcular ultrasound is a short and sweet procedure that could change your practice and greatly benefit your patients. It can actually be used to diagnose retinal detachment, which in the past required a referral to an ophthalmologist and often led to delayed therapy. Noninvasive and simple ultrasound techniques can be used on any patient of any age presenting with visual changes. The differential for visual changes with or without complete vision loss or blurry vision encompasses a daunting list. This is for you especially if retinal detachment is on your differential.First, let's review the anatomy. Visual messages are sent from the retina through the optic nerve to the brain. Patients experience painless, unilateral vision loss, which may be permanent if for some reason the retina becomes detached, moves, or is pulled away from its normal position. Other problems, such as retinal tears or breaks, can cause brief vision loss and can lead to future complete detachment. ("Facts about Retinal Detachment," NIH, National Eye Institute; http://1.usa.gov/21P46bg.) Patients will complain of unilateral vision changes without other symptoms aside from blurry or cobweb vision or floaters (photopsia). Some say they even see black, which can be the last fatal phase of retinal detachment.Ocular structures. Photo courtesy of CreativeCommons.comThings you can see with ocular ultrasound&#...
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