Ophthalmic artery visualization and morphometry by computed tomography angiography

We assessed the feasibility of using computed tomography angiography (CTA) to visualize the opthalmic artery (OA) and conducted three-dimensional (3D) morphometry. A retrospective analysis of 171 patients was performed using CTA-confirmed normal internal carotid arteries. To identify the OA, multiplanar CT reformations were performed. The OA diameter was compared in patients of different age groups and between males and females. All ophthalmic arteries were detected by 3D volume-rendering (VR) CTA. Bone subtraction was successful in all patients. The mean OA diameter was 1.37 ±0.25 mm in men, 1.35 ±0.16 mm in women (P = 0.188 for gender), 1.38 ±0.25 mm in the <40 years-old group, 1.37 ±0.14 mm in the 40–49 years-old group, 1.36 ±0.16 mm in the 50–59 years-old group, 1.38 ±0.19 mm in the 60–69 years-old group, and 1.34 ±0.17 mm in the > 70 years-old group (P = 0.662 for age group). CTA is a reliable method for visualizing the ophthalmic artery (OA). There are no major differences in OA diameter among gender or age.