[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Ophthalmic artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Ophthalmic artery The ophthalmic artery, the first branch of the internal carotid inside the skull, feeds the eye, including the [retina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/), and the orbit. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=ophthalmic_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The first branch of the internal carotid, through the optic canal into the orbit. ## What it does Feeds the eye (including the [central retinal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/central-retinal-artery/)), the orbit, the forehead and the top of the nose. ## Key points - Arises from the internal carotid as it leaves the [cavernous sinus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cavernous-sinus/), below the anterior clinoid process, and enters the orbit through the optic canal below and lateral to the optic nerve - Amaurosis fugax (painless, brief loss of vision in one eye, like a curtain) usually means emboli from the [carotid bifurcation](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carotid-bifurcation/) and is a warning sign of stroke - Rich links with external carotid branches (facial, superficial temporal, maxillary) make it a collateral route: in internal carotid occlusion its flow can reverse - Its anterior and posterior ethmoidal branches supply the upper [nasal cavity](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-cavity/): a source of nosebleeds and a landmark in endoscopic sinus surgery ## Key facts **Origin** Internal carotid (first branch); optic canal **Branches** Central retinal, lacrimal, posterior ciliary (short and long), muscular (anterior ciliary), supraorbital, anterior and posterior ethmoidal, medial palpebral; ends as the supratrochlear and dorsal nasal arteries **Supplies** Eye, orbit, forehead, upper nose ## Relations **Course** In the [optic canal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-canal/) it lies below and lateral to the [optic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-nerve/), inside its dural sheath; in the orbit it crosses over the optic nerve to the medial side and runs forward between the [superior oblique](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-oblique-muscle/) and [medial rectus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-rectus-muscle/), ending at the upper inner orbital margin **Medial** Along the medial wall it travels with the nasociliary nerve, giving the ethmoidal arteries into their foramina ## How to find it It is not felt. Its end branches leave the orbit at the upper margin ([supraorbital notch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/incisura-supraorbitalis/) and above the inner canthus) for the forehead, and the branches of its central retinal artery are seen directly on fundoscopy. ## On imaging Carotid Doppler, CT or MR angiography show it at its origin; orbital Doppler can show reversed flow in severe internal carotid stenosis. Its origin is the landmark for paraclinoid (ophthalmic segment) aneurysms. ## Clinical notes - Central retinal artery occlusion: sudden painless loss of vision in one eye with a pale retina and a cherry-red spot at the [macula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/macula/); the same embolic sources as in stroke are looked for - Giant cell arteritis in older adults can block its posterior ciliary branches and cause permanent loss of vision (arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy) - An aneurysm at its origin can press on the optic nerve and cause a visual field defect - In severe nosebleeds from high in the nose, the anterior ethmoidal artery may be tied through a small incision at the medial orbit ## Anatomical variants - It usually crosses above the optic nerve; in a minority it crosses below - Rarely it arises from the [middle meningeal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/middle-meningeal-artery/) (an external carotid branch), or the middle meningeal arises from it; this matters in embolisation procedures ## Development It comes from the internal carotid, but part of the orbit is first supplied by the stapedial artery, whose territory later passes to the middle meningeal; when that early pattern persists, the ophthalmic and middle meningeal arteries share supply or one arises from the other. ## Related conditions - [Giant cell arteritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where does the ophthalmic artery arise, and how does it enter the orbit? From the internal carotid as it leaves the cavernous sinus; through the optic canal, below and lateral to the optic nerve. ## What are the signs of central retinal artery occlusion? Sudden painless loss of vision in one eye with a pale retina and a cherry-red spot at the macula. ## Which branches of the ophthalmic artery supply the upper nasal cavity, and why do they matter? The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries: a source of nosebleeds and a landmark in endoscopic sinus surgery. ## How can the ophthalmic artery act as a collateral in internal carotid occlusion? Its links with external carotid branches (facial, superficial temporal, maxillary) let its flow reverse and feed the brain. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/ophthalmic-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria ophthalmica TA2 4469 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria Oftálmica DeCS D009880 **English (TA2)** Ophthalmic artery ## Related - [Lacrimal gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lacrimal-gland/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=10061&filter=ths_termall&q=Ophthalmic%20Artery); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Ophthalmic Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482317/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Eye Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537063/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ophthalmic-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ophthalmic-artery/