Head and eye Echoencephalogram

Alternative names:

echoencephalogram; eye and orbit sonogram

How the test is performed:

The test is usually done in the ultrasound or radiology department. You will be lying down on the table. For the A-scan, the eye will be numbed with anesthetizing drops. A clear plastic eye cup is then placed over the eyeball. A lubricant is placed on the cup, and the transducer is positioned on the cup.

The B-scan is performed with the eyes closed. The lubricant is placed on the eyelid, and the transducer is positioned on the lubricant.

How to prepare for the test:

Adults:
No special preparation is necessary for this test.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

Your eye is numbed so no discomfort is involved. You may be asked to look in different direction to improve ultrasound image or to view different areas of the eye.

Why the test is performed:

The ultrasound helps evaluate the farthest part of the eyeball when there are cataracts. The test may help diagnose retinal detachment or other disorders and evaluate orbital lesions and intraocular lesions.