Rapid B-Scanning in Diabetic Eye Disease

One of the commonest indications for ultrasonic assessement of the posterior segment is diabetic eye disease in which vitreous haemorrhage or cataract precludes ophthalmoscopic visualisation of the fundus (Fig. 1a). The vitreoretinal interrelationships in eyes with proliferative retinopathy are often complicated and, notwithstanding the excellent topographic data obtained from B-scanning (Fig. 1b), interpretation of the findings may be difficult (Fig. 1c). Correct interpretation depends to a considerable extent on detailed knowledge of the pathogenesis and pathological anatomy of proliferative retinopathy and its sequelae. Despite the potential complexity of this subject, however, the underlying principles can be clearly defined. We propose to illustrate these principles by means of examples from some of the several hundred diabetic cases examined in the Ultrasound Department of Moorfields Eye Hospital in the last six years.