Ophthalmic artery

The ophthalmic artery arises as the first intracranial vascular branch from the Internal carotid artery (ICA) proximal to the Posterior communicating artery.

Anatomy

The ophthalmic artery courses inferior to the Nervus opticus through the Canalis opticus into the Orbita[^3]. The most important arterial anastomosis between the internal carotid artery and the Arteria carotis externa runs via the ophthalmic artery[^2].

Vascular branches

The ophthalmic artery gives rise to the following arterial branches:

• Central retinal artery

• Long posterior ciliary arteries

• Short posterior ciliary arteries

• Lacrimal artery

• Arteria supraorbitalis

• Arteria supratrochlearis

• Anterior ethmoidal artery

• Posterior ethmoidal arteries

• Muscular branches

• Palpebral arteries

• Dorsal nasal artery

Anatomical variants

In approximately 89 % of cases, the ophthalmic artery arises distal to the Cavernous sinus, in approximately 8 % of cases within the cavernous sinus, and in approximately 3 % of cases the ophthalmic artery is completely absent [^1].

Figure

Imaging

The gold standard for visualizing the ophthalmic artery is digital subtraction angiography.

Clinical manifestations of occlusion

Occlusion of the ophthalmic artery results in monocular blindness or Amaurosis fugax. Due to the extensive collateral circulation with the external carotid artery, the symptoms are often only transient[^2].