Eye Ultrasound: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Eye ultrasounds is commonly referred to as eye and orbit ultrasound that uses high-frequency sound waves to measure and produce a detailed image and analysis of your eyes and eye orbit. The test is used to measure the size and structure of the eyes It is used when general eye exam does not reveal the reason or cause of an eye problem or condition. It is generally performed by an ultrasound technician or an ophthalmologist ( a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye disorders and diseases). It can either be done in an office or outpatient centre or hospital.

An eye and orbit ultrasound may be advised by your doctor if you experience problems with your eyes or if you have sustained an injury or trauma to the eyes. The test can help in identifying problems like tumours or neoplasms involving the eye, foreign substance in the eye and detachment of the retina. It can also help your doctor to diagnosing medical conditions like glaucoma (a progressive disease that can lead to vision loss), cataracts (cloudy areas in the lens) and lens implants (plastic lenses implanted in the eye after the natural lens has been removed, usually due to cataracts).

There is no special preparation needed for the procedure. An eye drop is used to numb the area (anesthetic drops). The ultrasound wand (transducer) is placed against the front surface of the eye. High frequency sound waves travel through the eye and the reflection of the sound waves form a picture of the structure of the eye. There are two types of scans or tests involved in the procedure and the combined procedure tales 15 to 30 minutes to take place.

One type of the procedure is called A-scan which measures the eye. This helps determine the correct lens implant for cataract surgery. You are most often seated on a chair while your chin is placed on a chin rest and an oiled probe is placed against the front of your eye. It can also be performed while lying on your back. In this case a fluid-filled cup or water bath is placed aginst the surface of your eye.

In the B-scan, your doctor will ask you to close your eyes and put a gel on the eyelids. The doctor will tell you to move your eyeballs in many directions and a probe is placed against your eyelids to do the test. A B-scan will help your doctor look at the inside part of the eye or space behind the eye. After the procedure is over, do not scratch the cornea until and unless the anesthetic wears off which can take around 15 minutes.

You will able to undergo the procedure of eye and orbit ultrasound if you have problems with your vision and eyes that might interfere with your daily life. Conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and neoplasm in a person also makes hime or her eligible for the procedure.

People who do not have any eye problems or conditions are not eligible for the procedure of eye and orbit ultrasound.

There are no known side effects of the procedure.

The procedure of the eye and orbit ultrasound is such that there are not post-treatment guidelines and the patient is free after 30 minutes. However, doctors advise you to not drive after the procedure as your visions will be blurred but your pupil will not be dilated. Therefore, ask someone else to drive you home and look after you for at least one hour. If the blurred vision does not go away on its own, you may need to visit the doctor

There is no recovery period as eye and orbit ultrasound is a technique used to measure the size and structure of the eye which helps a doctor diagnose medical conditions related to the eye.

The procedure of eye and orbit ultrasound is very cost effective in India and generally starts at Rs.600 and can go up to Rs.2000, depending on the hospital or lab centre where the test is performed.

The results of the procedure are measured in terms of the A-scan for which the measurements of the eye are in the normal range and B-scan for which the structures of the eye and orbit appear normal. However, the results of the B-scan procedure can also reveal certain abnormalities like cysts, swelling, detachment of the retina, damaged tissue or injury to the eye socket, vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding into the clear gel called the vitreous humor that fills the back of the eye) and cancer of the retina, under the retina or in other parts of the eye.

There are no known alternative procedure of eye and orbit ultrasound.