Ultrasound biomicroscopic view of detachment of the ciliary epithelium in retinal detachment with atopic dermatitis.

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the effectiveness of ultrasound biomicroscopy to determine the condition of the ciliary body during perioperative examinations of patients with atopic dermatitis and retinal detachment.

METHODS

The authors compared two groups of patients with atopic dermatitis and retinal detachment. Parameters included patient age, gender, eye, cataract, type and location of breaks, macular involvement, detachment of the ciliary epithelium, and preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities. Group 1 included six patients (nine eyes) who were examined before surgery and after surgery using ultrasound biomicroscopy, with which the authors also measured the maximum height of the detachment of the ciliary epithelium. Group 2 included 10 patients (13 eyes) who did not undergo ultrasound biomicroscopy.

RESULTS

In group 1, ultrasound biomicroscopy showed ciliary epithelium detachment in all eyes before surgery and in eight of nine eyes after successful retinal reattachment. The height of the ciliary detachment, however, decreased dramatically after surgery. Although almost all the parameters between groups 1 and 2 were similar, the authors observed a significant difference in the incidence of preoperative diagnosis of ciliary detachment (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound biomicroscopy is beneficial in detecting detachment of the ciliary epithelium. The residual shallow detachment that remains after successful surgery suggests the fragility of the ciliary body.