Ophthalmic artery

Overview
The ophthalmic artery is a branch of the internal carotid artery which supplies branches to supply the eye and other structures in the orbit.

Branches
The branches of the ophthalmic artery are often subdivided into an orbital group and an ocular group.

Orbital group
The orbital group, distributing vessels to the orbit and surrounding parts, includes:
 * Lacrimal artery
 * Supraorbital artery
 * Posterior ethmoidal artery
 * Anterior ethmoidal artery
 * Internal palpebral artery
 * Supratrochlear artery, also known as the frontal artery
 * Dorsal nasal artery

Ocular group
The ocular group, distributing vessels to the eye and its muscles, includes:
 * Long posterior ciliary arteries
 * Short posterior ciliary arteries
 * Anterior ciliary artery
 * Central retinal artery
 * Muscular artery

Blood supply
Branches of the ophthalmic artery supply:
 * Frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle
 * Inferior oblique muscle
 * Inferior rectus muscle
 * Lacrimal gland
 * Lateral rectus muscle
 * Levator palpebrae superioris muscle
 * Medial rectus muscle
 * Nasalis muscle
 * Procerus
 * Superior oblique muscle
 * Superior rectus muscle

Occlusion
As with central retinal artery occlusions, ophthalmic artery occlusions may result from systemic cardiovascular diseases; however, a cherry red spot is typically absent and the vision is usually worse. Amaurosis fugax is a temporary loss of vision that occurs in two conditions which cause a temporary reduction in ophthalmic artery pressure: orthostatic hypotension and positive acceleration.