Ocular sonography

Abstract

High-frequency ocular sonography is the ideal method for imaging the eye and intraocular structures. In the presence of opaque ocular media, a complete view of the fundus may be impossible ophthalmoscopically, and in these cases sonography is invaluable. Although high field strength MR imaging with surface coils provides excellent detail of normal and pathologic ocular structures, major shortcomings are lack of spatial resolution and poor specificity with certain lesions. Sonography is superior to CT or MR imaging in detecting ocular lesions such as small melanomas that are 2 mm or less in thickness. The eye can be examined dynamically during eye movements, which is of value in localizing abnormalities. The sonographic appearance of a variety of ocular pathologic conditions is illustrated in this essay.