Therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of glaucoma. I. Experimental model.

Controlled ultrasonic energy was used to treat a series of laboratory animals in which glaucoma had been induced experimentally. Insonification successfully reduced elevated intraocular pressure in the majority (86%) of test animals. Histopathologic review of globes examined at varying time intervals following treatment showed localized thinning of the sclera with intact conjunctiva, allowing filtration and focal disruption of ciliary epithelium. This technique of treating elevated intraocular pressure in a noninvasive manner offers potential for clinical application in humans.