B-Scan Ultrasonography “A Valuable Adjunct in Community Cataract Screening Camps”

Abstract

Background: Cataract remains a leading cause of avoidable blindness worldwide with a substantial burden in developing countries, where majority of population resides particularly in rural areas with limited access to eye care services. thus, community-based cataract screening camps play an important role as many patients present with dense or mature cataracts that preclude visualization of the posterior segment, therefore incorporation of B-scan ultrasonography at the camp site helps in preoperative detection of retinal abnormalities and facilitating timely referral.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical utility of B-scan ultrasonography incorporated into a mobile ophthalmic unit for detecting posterior segment pathologies in patients with dense cataracts attending community-based cataract screening camps.

Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in central India for 18 months. Patients aged ≥40 years with senile dense cataracts obscuring fundus visualization underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation and B-scan ultrasonography at camp site.

Results: Of 2,853 patients with senile cataract screened, 452 (15.8%) required B-scan ultrasonography. Females constituted 56.6%, and the common age group was 60–69 years (30.5%). Mature cataract was predominant (68.7%). Significant posterior segment abnormalities were detected in 45/452 patients (9.95%), comprising vitreous haemorrhage (44.4%), vitreous opacities (22.2%), retinal detachment (17.8%), and posterior staphyloma (15.6%).

Conclusion: Incorporating B-scan ultrasonography into mobile cataract screening units enables detection of posterior segment pathology, facilitating appropriate surgical planning, telemedicine-assisted consultation, timely vitreoretinal referral, realistic visual outcome and patient counselling. It may also reduce anxiety and psychological distress associated with unexpectedly poor visual outcomes.