Therapeutic ultrasound. Light and electron microscopic findings in an eye treated for glaucoma.

Focused high-intensity (FHI) ultrasound has recently been used to treat advanced glaucoma. This report describes the pathologic findings in the eye of a 30-year-old woman treated with FHI ultrasound for glaucoma. Major findings consisted of highly localized destruction of the pigmented and nonpigmented ciliary epithelium, profound atrophy of the ciliary muscle, and loss of scleral collagen. While the mechanism by which FHI ultrasound reduces intraocular pressure is not completely understood, the histologic effects of ultrasonic radiation are localized to the site of treatment.