Retinal lesions experimentally produced by intravitreal ultrasound

Currently, vitreous surgical techniques combined with phakoemulsification are an established procedure for the removal of luxated natural lenses or dislocated lenticular material. This has proven to be a safe procedure, but occasionally retinal lesions have been inadvertently created. We describe the ophthalmoscopic and morphologic features of ultrasonically induced retinal lesions in rabbit eyes using a similar technique. The retina was treated directly using a conventional ultrasound tip for pars plana lensectomy (Fragmatome). Ophthalmoscopically slight lesions corresponded to an area of retinal whitening. More severe lesions showed a destruction of the inner retina and created a retinal break. Extensive effects also involved the choroid and led to a retinal defect with rupture of choroidal vessels and heavy bleeding into the vitreous cavity. Histologic evaluation showed that the acoustic energy primarily led to damage of the outer retina, later involving the inner retina and the choroid as well.