A review of the role of ultrasound biomicroscopy in glaucoma associated with rare diseases of the anterior segment

Giuseppe Mannino,1 Barmak Abdolrahimzadeh,2 Silvia Calafiore,1 Gianmario Anselmi,1 Cristina Mannino,1 Alessandro Lambiase3 1Ophthalmology Unit, Saint Andrea Hospital, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sense Organs, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy; 2Polimed Beltramelli Medical Centre, Rome, Italy; 3Department of Sense Organs, Ophthalmology Unit, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy Abstract: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a non-invasive imaging technique, which allows high-resolution evaluation of the anatomical features of the anterior segment of the eye regardless of optical media transparency. This technique provides diagnostically significant information in vivo for the cornea, anterior chamber, chamber angle, iris, posterior chamber, zonules, ciliary body, and lens, and is of great value in assessment of the mechanisms of glaucoma onset. The purpose of this paper is to review the use of ultrasound biomicroscopy in the diagnosis and management of rare diseases of the anterior segment such as mesodermal dysgenesis of the neural crest, iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, phakomatoses, and metabolic disorders. Keywords: glaucoma, rare diseases, ultrasound biomicroscopy, neural crest, iridocorneal syndrome, phakomatoses, metabolic disorders