THE EMERGENCE OF ASTEROID HYALOSIS AS A SONOLOGIST`S MARKER OF DIABETES

Abstract

Asteroid Hyalosis (AH) occurs because of the accumulation of calcium soaps in vitreous of the eyes. B Scan of eyes demonstrates them as shiny star-like discrete objects suspended in vitreous that obscure a clear view of fundus. Although asymptomatic and unilateral and it is seen more often in the diabetic patients. A prospective double blind study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of AH to identify diabetic individuals. The overall incidence of AH in our study was 16 % in non-diabetic population and 70% in diabetic population. Our results show that the presence of AH on B Scan is 88.60% sensitive and 41.81% specific to identify presence of diabetes. Hence the routine use of ocular ultrasound in various health screening programmes along with the traditional ultrasound evaluation of abdomen and pelvis is strongly recommended.

Keywords : Asteroid Hyalosis, Diabetes, Ocular Ultrasound