B-scan Ultrasonography

Seeing Inside the Eye When the View Is Blocked

Sometimes the structures inside the eye simply cannot be examined directly. A dense cataract, bleeding, or other cloudiness can block the view entirely, leaving a standard examination unable to tell us what is happening at the back of the eye. B-scan Ultrasonography solves this by using harmless sound waves to create a clear and detailed image of the inside of the eye — giving our specialists the information they need to make an accurate diagnosis even when nothing can be seen directly.

What Is B-scan Ultrasonography?

B-scan uses high-frequency sound waves to produce cross-sectional images of the eye and the orbit behind it. A small probe is placed against the closed eyelid or the eye surface, and the sound waves it emits bounce back from internal structures to create a real-time image on the monitor. It is completely safe, produces no radiation, causes no discomfort, and can be performed on patients of any age.

What Can B-scan Find?

• Retinal detachment — even when a direct view inside the eye is completely blocked
• Bleeding inside the vitreous cavity of the eye
• Tumours and masses inside the eye that need to be assessed
• Foreign objects lodged in the eye following an injury
• Choroidal detachment — separation of the deeper layers of the eye wall
• Abnormalities of the optic nerve head including drusen
• Pre-surgical assessment when a direct view of the retina is not possible

What Happens During the Scan?

Step 1 — Preparation

If the probe will be placed directly on the eye surface, numbing drops are applied first. No injections and no other preparation is needed.

Step 2 — The Scan

A small amount of gel is applied to the probe or eyelid. The probe is then moved gently across the closed eyelid or eye surface while real-time images appear on the monitor.

Step 3 — Results

Images are reviewed immediately by your specialist, who explains the findings clearly and outlines the next steps — all within the same appointment, with no waiting.

Is It Safe?

Completely. B-scan uses sound waves rather than radiation and is entirely non-invasive. It can be repeated as many times as needed without any risk to the eye. The whole process takes only 10 to 15 minutes and requires no recovery time at all.

Why Patients Trust RGC Eye Hospital

• High-resolution equipment for the clearest and most detailed eye images possible
• Specialists experienced in interpreting a wide range of conditions
• Results discussed with you clearly in plain language on the same day
• Fast, efficient, and completely comfortable from start to finish