[Assessment of vision disorders using color duplex ultrasonography]

Disturbed circulation is a common cause of visual impairment which time course and severity can vary. Prompt diagnosis and therapy are mandatory to restore visual function in cases of acute drop of vision. Color Doppler imaging is a noninvasive method to investigate blood-flow velocity. During the past years this method has been introduced into ophthalmology. For the first time it is possible to measure the blood-flow velocity in the ophthalmic artery, the central retinal artery and vein as well as the ciliary arteries to quantify the extent of impaired ocular circulation.