Doppler ultrasound studies of the ophthalmic artery.

The doppler frequency shift of ultrasound pulses scattered off red blood cells in the ophthalmic artery can be detected and used as an index of velocity of flow in the artery. The doppler shift is shown to be responsive to changes in ocular blood flow induced by changes in mean arterial blood pressure at the level of the eye and changes in intraocular pressure. The technique may be useful in the study of eye disease in which blood flow is altered. Doppler frequency shifted signals have also been detected within the coats of the eye.