Three-dimensional topography of the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery

Background: During periorbital noninvasive and surgical procedures, there is the risk of iatrogenic injury to the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery. This study aimed to determine the three-dimensional location of the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery and to provide clinicians with anatomical information that would help them to avoid associated complications. Methods: Seventeen hemifaces of the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery from 10 Korean and seven Thai cadavers were dissected and scanned by a three-dimensional scanner. The emerging points of the ophthalmic artery of 30 healthy Korean volunteers were also detected using an ultrasound imaging system. Results: The transverse distance from the medial canthus to the emerging of the ophthalmic artery was 3.8 ± 1.0 mm medially, and the vertical distance was 14.0 ± 2.9 mm superiorly. The transverse distance from the midline was 16.5 ± 1.7 mm to the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery and 20.0 ± 2.0 mm to the medial canthus. The measured depth from the skin surface to the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery was 4.8 ± 1.7 mm by means of three-dimensional scanning and 4.5 ± 1.1 mm using ultrasound detection. The vertical distance from the inferior margin of the superior orbital rim to the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery was 5.3 ± 1.4 mm. Conclusion: These data inform clinicians about the anatomical three-dimensional location of the emerging point of the ophthalmic artery, which will help them to avoid iatrogenic injury when they are performing periorbital clinical procedures.