COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EYE AND ORBIT

Color Doppler imaging is the recent development in ultrasonography tha t allows simultaneous two-dimensional structural imaging in Doppler ev aluation of blood flow. With this technique, it is possible for the fi rst time to indirectly display the fine orbital vessels such as the op hthalmic artery and its branches, the central retinal artery, the post erior ciliary artery, and the lacrimal artery. Also, the display of ve nous structures such as the superior ophthalmic vein, the vortex vein, and the central retinal vein is possible. In addition to the qualitat ive display of those vessels, the hemodynamics in those vessels can be quantitatively assessed by looking at the Doppler spectrum and determ ining flow velocities during various periods of the cardiac cycle. Thi s technique is now being used in ophthalmology to evaluate orbital tum ors and vascular lesions, intraocular tumors, carotid-cavernous-sinus- fistulas, and hemodynamic changes in patients with retinal vascular di sease such as central retinal artery occlusion, central retinal vein o cclusion, and diabetic retinopathy.