Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Success

The speed of sound through the crystalline lens in ultrasound biometry is approximately 1641 meters per second. This value is significant because it reflects the unique acoustic properties of the lens as it is denser than water and other surrounding ocular tissues, affecting how ultrasound waves propagate through it.

In ultrasound biometry, accurately knowing the speed of sound in different eye tissues is essential for calculating parameters such as axial length, which is critical for diagnosing and managing refractive errors and planning cataract surgery. The specific speed through the crystalline lens allows for better precision in measurements, ensuring that calculations related to intraocular lens power and positioning during surgery are appropriate.

Understanding ultrasound speed in ocular tissues is paramount for ophthalmic medical technologists as they perform these measurements, and the value of 1641 meters per second specifically illustrates the behavior of sound transmission within the lens, which is vital for effective clinical practice.