Ophthalmological emergencies

Urgent ophthalmic pathology can be grouped into four categories: infectious, traumatic, vascular, and inflammatory. Imaging techniques play a fundamental role in their diagnosis, positioning the radiologist at the forefront when dealing with these entities. CT is usually the technique of choice within the emergency context, with MRI and ultrasound playing a secondary role. Radiologists must be familiar with the main imaging findings of these pathologies to make a rapid and accurate diagnosis that contributes to a positive outcome for the patient. This article reviews orbital anatomy, imaging techniques and protocols that should be employed, as well as key diagnostic clues that every radiologist should know.