Which ultrasound window is used to evaluate the ophthalmic artery?

• A. Transorbital window
• B. Transtemporal window
• C. Suboccipital window
• D. Transfrontal window

Answer: (A)

Orbital access is required to evaluate the ophthalmic artery, so the transorbital window is used. The ophthalmic artery arises from the internal carotid and travels into the orbit, making a direct, near-field insonation path through the orbit the most reliable way to visualize it with Doppler. Placing the probe gently over the closed eyelid and directing the beam toward the orbital apex provides a clear view of the ophthalmic artery as it courses toward the optic nerve, which is not readily accessible through the other skull-window approaches that target deeper intracranial vessels.