A-mode ultrasonography and oculometry in retrolental fibroplasia

Abstract Fifteen premature babies were controlled with ultrasound because of retrolental fibroplasia (RLFP). The typical echogram shows behind the lens echoes of medium amplitudes. The posterior part of the vitreous is acoustically clear. A diagnosis of retinoblastoma can be ruled out with great certainty and retinal detachment, if present, is manifest also with echo-opthalmography. Coast's disease, uveitism, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and vitreal opacities may show similar echograms as in RLFP. Biometry demonstrated microphthalmos in 36% of the cases. The slowing-down or arrest of the growth of the globe indicates the severity of RLFP. Visual axis shrinkage was never observed.