UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Ophthamology

Title: Increase Your Gain for Ocular POCUS

Keywords: POCUS, Ocular, Posterior Chamber (PubMed Search)

Posted: 8/7/2023 by Alexis Salerno, MD
Click here to contact Alexis Salerno, MD

Prior research has shown that EPs can accurately detect ocular pathology using POCUS. 

A recent retrospective review looked at how ultrasound image gain levels impacted the accuracy of POCUS for detection of retinal detachment, retinal hemorrhage and posterior vitreous detachment.

They included 383 ED patients who received ocular POCUS and ophthalmology consultations. 

Conclusions: The authors found that increasing the gain for ocular POCUS images allowed for increased sensitivity.

Here is an example of a vitreous hemorrhage on ocular POCUS using low gain and high gain. 

References

Chang M, Finney N, Baker J, Rowland J, Gupta S, Sarsour R, Saadat S, Fox JC. Optimal Image Gain Intensity of Point-of-care Ultrasound when Screening for Ocular Abnormalities in the Emergency Department. West J Emerg Med. 2023 May 5;24(3):622-628. doi: 10.5811/westjem.59714.