Advances in Ophthalmic Ultrasonography and Emerging Multimodal Imaging Technologies in the Lacrimal Gland

Abstract

Conventional ophthalmic ultrasonography is a cornerstone in ocular diagnostics, providing essential structural and functional insights into the eye and orbit. Traditional techniques such as brightness mode (B-mode) and amplitude mode (A-mode) imaging have enabled clinicians to evaluate ocular and orbital morphology and characterize diverse pathological entities. However, the inherently two-dimensional (2D) nature of these techniques limits spatial comprehension in a fundamentally three-dimensional (3D) anatomic environment. This limitation often results in partial data interpretation and potential diagnostic inaccuracies. Recent advancements—including 3D ultrasound reconstruction, photoacoustic tomography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and thermo-imaging—have revolutionized the visualization of ocular structures. These innovations promise enhanced spatial resolution, quantitative vascular assessment, and improved detection of subtle pathological changes, thereby defining a new era in ophthalmic and orbital imaging.