Ultrasound assesses internal eye structures, including those obscured during a routine examination. A-scan and B-scan serve different purposes; the doctor selects the required mode.
Patients in whom the ophthalmologist needs to assess ocular structures despite media opacity, suspected retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage, an intraocular mass, lens/IOL displacement or another condition where ultrasound adds information.
Sudden visual loss, a new curtain-like shadow, many new floaters, trauma, or lack of fundus view due to cataract or haemorrhage may lead the clinician to request ultrasound. Symptoms alone do not establish the diagnosis.
Dense cataract, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal/choroidal detachment, vitreous disease, intraocular or orbital masses, lens displacement, trauma and selected inflammatory conditions. The specific mode is selected clinically.
Quality depends on operator technique, selected mode, probe position and pathology. Ultrasound does not match OCT for retinal microstructure and does not replace direct peripheral retinal examination when media are clear.
Contact lenses usually do not interfere with transpalpebral B-scan, but you may be asked to remove them for the accompanying eye examination.
If a metallic foreign body is possible, CT/MRI selection has specific safety considerations; MRI is avoided until metal is excluded.
Ultrasound does not establish a diagnosis by itself; findings require clinical interpretation.
A normal B-scan does not exclude small peripheral retinal tears or early macular disease.
B-scan does not replace OCT when microstructural retinal detail is required.
With suspected open-globe injury, probe pressure may be hazardous; the ophthalmologist determines the imaging strategy.
A-scan, B-scan, IOL calculation, UBM and Doppler are not the same procedure.
Usually no special preparation is needed. Bring prior records, report trauma or surgery, and preferably avoid eye makeup. Contact techniques or the accompanying examination may have additional requirements.
Fasting or a special diet is usually unnecessary.
Avoid eye makeup when possible because coupling gel may be applied to the closed eyelid.
Bring ophthalmology reports, previous ultrasound and OCT results, fundus images and postoperative records if available.
Tell the clinician about recent trauma, surgery, pain, suspected open-globe injury or a possible intraocular foreign body.
Do not start new eye drops specifically for the test unless instructed. Continue prescribed medication according to your clinician’s plan.
Sudden major visual loss, a new curtain, flashes with many new floaters, ocular trauma, severe pain, suspected penetrating injury or chemical burn requires urgent ophthalmic assessment rather than routine ultrasound booking alone.
Ultrasound does not establish a diagnosis by itself; findings require clinical interpretation.
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The clinician reviews symptoms, media opacity, trauma, prior surgery and the purpose of imaging.
Takes: 1 min
B-scan, A-scan or another ultrasound study is selected; separate services are not treated as interchangeable.
Takes: 1 min
For B-scan the probe is usually placed over the closed eyelid with gel and the patient may be asked to move the eye.
Takes: 1 min
The examiner checks scan coverage, orientation and gain and repeats positions when needed.
Takes: 1 min
The ophthalmologist correlates ultrasound with examination and other tests and determines further investigation or treatment.
Takes: 5 min
Ultrasound helps examine internal structures when clouding prevents a clear view of the fundus.
Ultrasound images help clarify retinal position and the condition of the vitreous.
Ultrasound biometry provides eye dimensions needed for selected preoperative calculations.
The examination uses ultrasound waves rather than X-rays.
Book ocular ultrasound Book the examination if your ophthalmologist recommended A-scan, B-scan or another ultrasound study. When booking, provide the exact study name from the referral so the correct service is selected.
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Standard ocular ultrasound uses ultrasound waves reflected from tissues. It helps clinicians determine the location and characteristics of changes within the eye and certain orbital structures.
A B-scan produces a two-dimensional image and helps assess the vitreous, retina, choroid, posterior wall of the eye, and certain orbital structures.
The examination is particularly useful when the optical media are opaque, limiting conventional ophthalmoscopy or fundus photography.
An A-scan displays the amplitude of echo signals in one dimension and is used for measurement and echographic assessment.
Intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation, ultrasound biomicroscopy of the anterior segment, and vascular Doppler ultrasound are separate examinations. They are not automatically included in a standard B-scan.
Ultrasound helps locate and characterize abnormalities, but it does not replace a clinical examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ophthalmoscopy, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when those methods provide more appropriate information.
For B-scan the probe is usually placed over the closed eyelid with gel and the patient may be asked to move the eye. Contact techniques follow a separate protocol.
The findings are assessed in the context of the reason for referral. If symptoms persist, the clinician may recommend OCT, a retinal examination, or other diagnostic tests.
The patient is referred for urgent assessment by a retinal specialist or vitreoretinal surgeon. The degree of urgency is determined clinically.
Additional imaging, consultation with an ocular oncologist, and serial measurements of the mass may be required.
Scanning is repeated in additional positions, or another imaging method is selected.
Comparable scans, measurements, and echographic characteristics are compared with those from previous examinations.
A separate examination of the anterior segment of the eye.
A separate Doppler examination of the blood vessels of the eye and orbit.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
