measuring eyeball size

Posted by Karen on August 09, 1999 at 14:32:51
Hi
As I understand it one can use ultrasound to measure the axial length of the eye.  I was wondering whether ultrasound can be used to measure the transverse length -I have seen research studies that have measured this, but not clear what they method they use.
The reason I am asking is that my husband has observed that his eye appears smaller in the front and there is more space between the eye ball and the lid.  However his axial length has remained unchanged as has the hertel reading.
Along with his he has been experiencing a number of nonspecific visual disturbances -such as dim vision, washed out colors, prolonged after images such that reading black letters on white pages is difficult.  Your reply would go a long way in getting to the bottom of this.  Thanks for your valuable service.

Posted by HFHS MD-JL on August 09, 1999 at 17:26:45
You may not be describing a change in his eyeball shape but rather a change in his eyelid anatomy.  It would be difficult to determine without examining him.  The transverse lenghth could also be approx with ultrasound by having the eye fully abducted and measuring this distance.  This could be done with a Bscan ultrasound.  Regarding his visual symptoms, you may want to find a neuro-ophthalmologist for further evaluation.  Good luck.
This information was provided for educational purposes only.
HFHS MD-JL