Diagnostic Accuracy of B-Scan Ultrasonography for Assessing Vision Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss globally, necessitating effective diagnostic tools for early detection and management. B-Scan ultrasonography is a non-invasive imaging modality that can assess posterior segment anomalies, particularly in cases where direct retinal visualization is impeded.Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of B-Scan ultrasonography for assessing visual impairment in diabetic retinopathy patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, from December 2023 to May 2024. A total of 200 patients with type 2 diabetes (150 males, 50 females) were included. B-Scan ultrasonography was performed using a 10 MHz transducer in a thermally controlled room. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated using clinical diagnoses as the reference standard.Results: B-Scan ultrasonography showed a sensitivity of 94.6%, specificity of 76.92%, PPV of 92.10%, NPV of 83.33%, and an overall accuracy of 90% in diagnosing vision-impairing retinal pathologies.Conclusion: B-Scan ultrasonography is a highly sensitive and reliable tool for assessing vision loss in diabetic retinopathy, particularly in cases complicated by media opacities, and should be considered in routine clinical practice.