You Can’t Hide From the B-scan

It is fairly common to encounter patients with dense cataracts that do not allow the doctor a very good view of the posterior structures of the eye. These structures include the optic nerve and retina. In our office we use the ScanMate Ultrasound B-unit from DGH to better evaluate the retina and optic nerve when we cannot directly view these structures with standard exam techniques.

Retinal detachments are easily picked up with the B-scan. This instrument is invaluable when the doctor cannot get a good peripheral view of the retina due to cataracts.

Even when the view of posterior eye structures is unimpeded, B-scan can come in handy. Buried drusen in the optic nerve can cause visual field loss. A B-scan can confirm that what appears to be buried drusen really is, and not a more serious optic nerve problem.

The B-scan experience is very comfortable for the patient. We obtain data through a closed eye, so no “goopy stuff” needs to be applied to the open eye when using the probe to obtain an image.