Color Doppler Imaging - A New Non-Invasive Technique to Study the Hemodynamics in the Orbital Vasculature

Color Doppler imaging (COl) is a recent advance in ultrasonography that allows for simultaneous two dimensional Imaging of structure and blood flow. Doppler Information is superimposed in color over a conventional gray-scale ultrasound Image. This technique has significantly Improved the evaluation of the carotid and vertebral arteries as well as small vessels systems. Color Doppler imaging (CDI) of the orbital circulation permits for the first time non-invasive, direct visualization of small orbital vessels such as the central retinal artery and vein as well as the posterior ciliary arteries. In addition to the topographic display the analysis of the Doppler spectrum provides information about flow velocities and the vascular resistance in the selected vessel.