Chorioretinal lesions in rabbits by low-frequency ultrasound

The gross effects of low-frequency ultrasound on ocular tissue were studied in 100 brown pigmented and albino rabbit eyes, after direct application of ultrasonic energy on scleral tissue by the trans-scleral approach. One-mm flat and one-mm bent titanium tips, vibrating at a frequency of 25 KHz and yielding 4.5 watts of ultrasonic energy output from the transducer were used to produce the chorioretinal lesions. Histopathologic evaluation of 50 of the 100 eyes showed that maximum acoustic energy was frequently absorbed at the chorioretinal interface and that scleral tissue was left intact. Preliminary results indicate that chorioretinal adhesions made with ultrasonic energy may cause less damage to scleral tissue than diathermy, and that an additional advantage may be that they will take place in the presence of a wet field.