Ultrasound methods in the assessment of ocular blood flow
Summary
Purpose
To investigate ocular blood flow in vascular diseases (VD) with use of ultrasonic Doppler methods
Methods
610 patients suffered from ischemic optic neuropathy (ION)-180; the retinal vein occlusion (RVO)-110; diabetic retinopathy (DR)-80; age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-240 patients were observed. Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) and Power Doppler (PD), 3D-mode were used to estimate blood-flow of the ophthalmic artery (OA), the central retinal artery (CRA), the posterior cilliary arteries (PCA). The Doppler spectrum of blood flow and its main indices including the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) were measured.
Results
Signs of disordered blood flow in the CRA were detected in RVO:diastolic flow was absent or markedly reduced, decreased PSV and an increase RI in comparison with the norm. CDI showed reduced flow velocities in PCA in patients with ION. The decrease of flow velocities in the OA, the CRA and the PCA in patients with dry AMD and significant increase of RI in the PCA in wet AMD were registered. Decreased PSV and EDV in the CRA and the PCA were determined in patients with DR.
Conclusion
CDI, PD and 3D-mode are valuable methods for the clinical management of VD.
