Measurement of scleral thickness in uveal effusion syndrome.

PURPOSE: To measure scleral thickness in patients with and without uveal effusion syndrome using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

DESIGN

Prospective case-control study.

METHODS

UBM was used to measure scleral thickness in five subjects with uveal effusion syndrome and five matched controls. We also used MRI to measure scleral thickness in three subjects.

RESULTS

The mean thicknesses for eyes with uveal effusion syndrome versus control eyes were 0.65 +/- 0.08 mm and 0.55 +/- 0.05 mm, respectively (mean difference 0.10, P value = .13). MRI measurements of three subjects showed abnormally thick sclera but were imprecise.

CONCLUSIONS

UBM can be used to measure scleral thickness, and our results support the finding that patients with uveal effusion syndrome have abnormally thick sclera. Compared with MRI, UBM may be a more accurate and precise method of measuring scleral thickness. UBM can be a useful adjunctive test in the management of uveal effusion syndrome.