Use of Non-ophthalmic Ultrasound for Evaluation of Retinal Detachment in Patients with Opaque Media

Abstract

Aim: To examine the accuracy of non-ophthalmic ultrasonography for detecting retinal detachment in eyes with opaque media.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted over a 1-year period. Eyes with opaque media in the form of a mature cataract, occluded pupils, or vitreous haemorrhage that precluded visualisation of the fundus were examined using non-ophthalmic ultrasound to detect retinal detachment. The clinical findings reported by the ophthalmologist were compared with the radiologist’s assessment.Results: Of the 95 eyes of 94 patients enrolled in the study, 86 had mature cataract, 7 had vitreous opacity, and 2 had eye trauma. Fifteen eyes (15.8%) showed evidence of posterior segment pathology on ultrasonography, with underlying conditions of retinal detachment (n = 7; 7.4%), posterior vitreous detachment (n = 5; 5.3%), asteroid hyalosis (n = 1; 1.1%), a vitreous traction membrane attached to the optic disc (n = 1; 1.1%), and intraocular foreign body (n = 1; 1.1%). Using non-ophthalmic ultrasonography, retinal detachment was detected in all 7 eyes, to achieve a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 56-100%) and a specificity of 99% (95% confidence interval, 92-99%).Conclusions: Non-ophthalmic ultrasound is highly accurate for excluding retinal detachment, and may have a role in diagnosing retinal detachment in patients presenting with opaque media.