Ultrasound biomicroscopic evaluation of the traumatized eyes

To review causes for performing an ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) examination in traumatized eyes, to present common UBM findings of 109 eyes with a history of ocular trauma and to compare these findings according to the type of the trauma.

A total of 109 eyes with a history of mechanical ocular trauma, which underwent an UBM examination between December 1996 and April 2002, were evaluated retrospectively. All cases were classified according to the criteria of the Ocular Trauma Classification Group and UBM findings were reviewed. For statistical ana- lyses, chi(2) test and Fisher's exact test were used.

UBM examinations were performed for the evaluation of the zonules before cataract surgery (49.5%), examination of the anterior segment in the presence of media opacities (32.1%), detection of suspected ocular foreign bodies (10.1%) and the evaluation of ocular hypotony (8.3%). In all, 67 eyes (61.5%) had a closed-globe injury, whereas 42 (38.5%) had an open-globe injury. The most common UBM findings in a closed-globe injury were zonular deficiency (64.2%), angle recession (43.3%), iridodialysis (17.9%), and dislocated lens (16.4%). The most common UBM findings in an open-globe injury were zonular deficiency (54.8%), iridodialysis (26.2%), peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) (26.2%), and iridocorneal adhesion (19%). Among the common UBM findings, the angle recession was significantly higher (P<0.001) in closed-globe injury group and PAS formation was significantly higher (P<0.05) in open-globe injury group.

UBM is particularly superior to other methods in the evaluation of the zonular status, angle recession, cyclodialysis, and the detection of small superficial and intraocular foreign bodies.