Publication:

A study on clinical correlation and ultrasound biomicroscopic findings among cases of blunt ocular trauma

Background Blunt ocular trauma is a significant cause of ocular morbidity and may result in a wide spectrum of anterior segment abnormalities that are not always detectable on routine clinical examination. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a high-resolution imaging technique that allows detailed visualization of anterior segment structures. The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between clinical examination findings and ultrasound biomicroscopy findings in patients with blunt ocular trauma.

Methods This descriptive cross-sectional observational study included 80 patients aged ≥12 years with closed-globe blunt ocular trauma presenting to a tertiary care teaching hospital between August 2022 and January 2024. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation including visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy, fundus examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy using 35–50 MHz probes.

Results Males constituted the majority of cases 80% (n=64), with the highest proportion of patients belonging to the 20–29-year age group 36.3% (n=29). the most common mechanisms of injury were road traffic accidents 33.3% (n=23) and sports injuries 27.5% (n=19). Gonioscopy detected angle recession in 12.5% (n=10) of patients. Ultrasound biomicroscopy identified additional anterior segment abnormalities including zonular dehiscence 22.5% (n=18), lens subluxation 20% (n=16), lens dislocation 7.5% (n=6), cyclodialysis 5% (n=4) and iridodialysis 4.8% (n=4). Ultrasound biomicroscopy  also detected occult anterior segment abnormalities that were not evident on routine clinical examination.

Conclusions Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a valuable adjunctive imaging modality in the evaluation of blunt ocular trauma. It enables detailed assessment of anterior segment structures and facilitates the detection of subtle traumatic abnormalities that may be missed during routine clinical examination, thereby aiding in appropriate management and prognosis.