Significance of ultrasonography in evaluation of vitreo-retinal pathologies.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in the detection of vitreo-retinal pathologies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included all patients from retina department in Eye Clinic University Clinical Center Tuzla first time referred and examined by a single experienced vitreo-retinal surgeon in period from January 2011 to January 2012. Complete ophthalmic examination and ultrasonography-standardized echography were performed to all patients for detection and confirmation of vitreo-retinal pathology.

RESULTS: Study included 146 eyes from 122 patients. 58 (39.7%) eyes had poor posterior segment visualization, 21 (14.4%) eyes due to dense cataracts and 37 (25.3%) eyes due to different vitreous opacities. 88 (60.3%) eyes had good or partial posterior eye segment visualization, where 67 (45.9%) eyes had proliferative vitreo-retinopathy and 55 (37.7%) eyes had tractional retinal detachment. Most common causes for referral to vitreo-retinal surgeon were ocular complications of diabetes mellitus 94 (64.4%), ocular trauma 18 (12.3%), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment 16 (10.9%) and intraocular inflammation 9 (6.2%). Ultrasonography confirmed suspected diagnosis and operative management plan in 120 (82.2%) eyes, sublassified previously established diagnosis in 19 (13%) eyes and helped further operative planning and established completely new diagnosis and changed initial management plan in 7 (4.8%) eyes. The final clinical diagnosis confirmed the ultrasonography findings in 142 from 146 (97.3%) eyes.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is useful part of ophthalmic examination for detection, evaluation and follow up of different vitreo-retinal pathologies.