Ultrasonic findings in the vitreous body in patients with acute anterior uveitis

The vitreous body of both the healthy and the affected eyes of 25 patients suffering from unilateral acute anterior uveitis was examined by ultrasound, and the results were compared with the optical observations made on the affected eye. In 14 eyes the optical examination of the vitreous body was impossible either due to exudation in the anterior chamber or to posterior synechias of the iris or to cataract. In 17 eyes the vitreous body was acoustically highly inhomogeneous, in three eyes slightly inhomogeneous and in five eyes no acoustic changes due to exudation were found. In cases of acute anterior uveitis, ultrasound examination often provides more information than optical examination by slit lamp. Ultrasound can also be useful in the treatment and follow-up of the disease.