[Experimental ultrasonography of the rabbit eye (author's transl)].

In 20 adult rabbits of the Gelbsilber-strain the axial depth of the anterior chamber, the axial thickness of the lens, and 7 different diameters of the vitreous chamber were measured by means of bioechometry for standardization of the to date neglected experimental ultrasonography of animal eyes. For proper interpretation of echograms of the rabbit eye the particular anatomy and topography of the lens must be considered. Penetration of the large and almost spherical lens by the beam can only be avoided if the probe is placed behind the limbus or behind the equator of the globe. In the axial ultrasonogram the high single peaked echo of the posterior lens capsule appears between the third and fourth fifth of the entire axial length. In all other types of echogram the beam passes through peripheral sections of the lens oblique, and produces several small echoes, thus eventually simulating a pathologic echogram of the vitreous body.