Ultrasound Guided Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Cadavers

Introduction

To utilize cadavers as models for point-of-care ultrasound education to identify intraocular pathologies such as retinal detachments and vitreous hemorrhages. Training with cadaveric donors, coupled with ocular ultrasound education, will offer an innovative approach for medical instruction. Both vitreous hemorrhages and retinal detachments can limit long-term vision and are diagnosable with ultrasound. Although there are many ocular offenses which lead to detachment and hemorrhage, a primary offender is diabetic retinopathy. In all cases, these disorders require rapid diagnosis and treatment for visual health.

Methods

Cadaveric tissue is used to simulate retinal detachments. A lateral canthotomy and sclerotomy is performed to access the choroidal and retinal layers in the posterior pole of the eye. A normal saline solution is then injected with a micropipette into the subretinal space, leading to retinal detachment. An agar-based solution is used to create a soft tissue mass in the vitreous chamber simulating hemorrhage.

Results

The techniques described are capable of creating the desired models. It is hypothesized that this training model will be an effective tool to simulate ocular ultrasound pathology for healthcare professionals. In academic medical centers, this model can be implemented due to the availability of the materials and donors.

Conclusion

Clinically, point-of-care ultrasound is regarded as a reliable, cost-effective tool for prompt diagnosis of retinal detachments and vitreous hemorrhage improving the overall prognosis. Use of this ocular training model can facilitate the creation of large groups of healthcare professionals trained in ocular ultrasonography which will expedite time to diagnosis in underserved populations, mitigating permanent visual loss.