Beyond a diagnostic modality: the pivotal role of ultrasound biomicroscopy in ophthalmic care pathways

Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a high-frequency ultrasound imaging system (50–100 MHz) that serves as a typical biomedical device and instrumentation tool, enabling high-resolution, real-time, in vivo imaging of anterior segment structures. It provides visualization of the cornea, iris, lens and zonules, ciliary body, and angle structures, as well as quantitative measurements. This review examines UBM’s technical principles, clinical applications, and recent technological innovations, with a focus on its value in biomedical imaging and image processing. Key applications in glaucoma, corneal diseases, ocular trauma, anterior segment tumors, and lens-related disorders are systematically summarized. Emerging advances, including three-dimensional reconstruction and artificial intelligence-assisted analysis, are also incorporated. UBM holds significant value in anterior segment imaging. Its integration with engineering innovations—such as advanced signal processing and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms—offers biomedical engineers and clinicians a practical reference for utilizing this technology in precision ophthalmology.