04/10/2026
Dr. Mitul Mehta performing a B-scan ultrasound on the eye of the patient in the clinic. Dr. Mehta, Retina Specialist and Director of VitreoRetinal Surgery at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and Professor of Ophthalmology at UC Irvine School of Medicine, and a Board member at OCEP, was staffing the clinic earlier this month.
Ocular ultrasound is a powerful, accessible tool that brings real-time insight directly into the clinic—no need for complex setups or delays.
For ophthalmologists, B-scan ultrasound is relatively easy to perform and quickly becomes second nature with practice. It can be done right in the exam room, requires minimal patient preparation, and is especially valuable when the view to the fundus is limited (such as with dense cataracts or vitreous hemorrhage).
One of its greatest strengths is the ability to differentiate between retinal detachment and posterior vitreous detachment - two conditions that can present with similar symptoms like flashes and floaters, but require very different management. This distinction can be made within seconds using ultrasound, allowing for faster and more confident clinical decision-making.
What makes ocular ultrasound even more impactful is its accessibility. This means quicker diagnoses, reduced need for external imaging referrals, and improved patient care -especially in time-sensitive cases.
Ocular ultrasound exemplifies how a simple, efficient tool can elevate the standard of care right at the point of service.
