Benefits to utilising ultrasound in examining the eye

Ocular ultrasound (US) is not one of ACEMs 'big 5' in terms of US capability that is expected of a trainee or FACEM. Most texts have a small chapter dedicated to ocular US but it is usually at the back or a subsection of a chapter where it is rarely seen or appreciated. However, it is a straightforward scan to perform with many benefits which will be discussed in this article. The eye offers an excellent medium for US beam penetration, making good quality images of the retina easy and quick to acquire. This has the added benefit of being able to share images with an ophthalmologist remotely, improving time to definitive treatment. It can also be used in patients who cannot cooperate with sitting at a slitlamp, for example moribund or trauma patients. The authors propose that ocular US teaching should be incorporated into the ACEM syllabus, being a vital adjunct to a comprehensive eye examination.