Color Doppler imaging of the eye and orbit. Technique and normal vascular anatomy.

Color Doppler imaging is a recent advance in ultrasonography that allows simultaneous two-dimensional imaging of structure and blood flow to be performed. Doppler information is superimposed in color over a conventional gray-scale ultrasound image. Using this technique, we examined 40 normal eyes. The central retinal artery, posterior ciliary arteries, ophthalmic artery, and central retinal vein could be located in all patients. Using the color image as a guide, Doppler spectral analysis allows quantitative assessment of blood flow velocity in these vessels. Color Doppler imaging is a new modality for the study of ocular and orbital hemodynamics.