Demonstration of abnormalities of the lens by echography.

A demonstration of the B-scan echographic appearances of some commonly encountered lens abnormalities is presented. Examples of intumescent, traumatic and calcified cataracts, congenital and traumatic displacements and other abnormalities are shown. The significance of these findings is discussed and the importance of pre-operative ultrasonic examination of the patient for cataract extraction to exclude vitreous or retinal pathology is stressed. The value of echographic examination in traumatic cases, where vitreous haemorrhage has occurred, in the demonstration of intraocular abnormalities, such as retinal detachment or a non-radio-opaque foreign body is also discussed.