Ocular Ultrasound (Dr. Rudnin)

Ocular ultrasounds can be performed bedside and help differentiate various ophthalmologic emergencies.

Indications:

Eye Pain

Acute Change in Vision

Retinal Detachments

Vitreous Detachments

Suspected Increased Intracranial Pressure

Foreign Bodies

Soft Tissue Infections

Retrobulbar Hematomas

Lens Dislocation

Central Retinal Artery Occlusions

Or When Overlying Edematous or Contused Periorbital Tissue Prohibits Direct Visualization of the Eye.

Contraindications:

Suspected Globe Rupture

Technique:

Have the head of the bed at 45 degrees. Place a tegaderm on the patient's eye and use copious amounts of gel. Make sure you evaluate in both sagittal and transverse views.

Have the patient move their eye up, down, and side to side.

Remember, you can always look at the contralateral eye for comparison if you are having difficulties distinguishing normal vs abnormal.

Attached is a reference of various ocular pathologies when performing ocular ultrasounds.