High-Frequency Ultrasound Measurements of the Normal Ciliary Body and Iris

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal ultrasonographic thickness of the iris and ciliary body. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective 35-MHz ultrasonographic study included 80 normal eyes of 40 healthy volunteers. The images were obtained at the 12-, 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock radial meridians, measured at three locations along the radial length of the iris and at the thickest section of the ciliary body. Mixed model was used to estimate eye site-adjusted means and standard errors and to test the statistical difference of adjusted results. Parameters included mean thickness, standard deviation, and range. RESULTS: Mean thicknesses at the iris root, midway along the radial length of the iris, and at the juxtapupillary margin were 0.4 ± 0.1, 0.5 ± 0.1, and 0.6 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. Those of the ciliary body, ciliary processes, and ciliary body + ciliary processes were 0.7 ± 0.1, 0.6 ± 0.1, and 1.3 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides standard, normative thickness data for the iris and ciliary body in healthy adults using ultrasonographic imaging.