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PURPOSE Asymmetric dilated vortex vein (ADVV) observed in eyes with pachychoroid spectrum diseases is thought to be due to congestion of choroidal blood flow. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate the blood flow velocity of ADVV using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. METHODS This was a retrospective case series with 23 eyes of 18 patients with ADVV on en-face OCT. A pair of choroidal veins from ADVV side (defined as ADVV vein) and non-ADVV side (defined as non-ADVV vein) was selected in each eye under the following criteria: (i) equivalent proximity to the deviated watershed, (ii) does not overlap with retinal blood vessels in the en-face OCT image, (iii) has approximately the same blood vessel diameter. Rubber bands were placed on the selected choroidal veins on the LSFG color map. Mean blur rate (MBR) values of ADVV and non-ADVV veins were statistically compared. RESULTS The average MBR was 10.11 ± 1.9 in the ADVV veins and 13.49 ± 6.2 in the non-ADVV veins, showing significantly lower values in the ADVV veins (P = 0.03). The blood vessel diameter of the ADVV was 10.26 ± 3.0 and in the non-ADVV veins, 10.63 ± 2.9 pixels; not significantly different (P = 0.66). The distance from the deviated watershed to the ADVV was 53.3 ± 24.8 and to the non-ADVV veins, 46.80 ± 20.3 pixels; not significantly different (P = 0.41). CONCLUSION In eyes with ADVV, the blood flow velocity in the ADVV veins was lower than in the non-ADVV veins, suggesting anatomical congestion of ADVV.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of pachydrusen in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and investigate the relationship between choroidal circulation and pachydrusen. In a retrospective case series of 302 eyes of 151 patients with treatment-naive CSC, we assessed the incidence of pachydrusen and their features on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Pachydrusen were observed in 82 of the 302 eyes (27.2%). The patients with pachydrusen were significantly older than those without pachydrusen. In 36 of the 82 eyes with pachydrusen, the choriocapillaris perfusion phase of ICGA was recorded. Pachydrusen were localized within the geographic filling delay of the choriocapillaris in 26 of the 36 eyes (72.2%). In the late phase of ICGA, pachydrusen corresponded to punctate hyperfluorescent spots in 69 of the 82 eyes (84.1%) and localized within sites of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability in 45 eyes (54.9%). En face OCT revealed pachydrusen to be localized over the dilated outer choroidal vessels in 70 of the 82 eyes (85.4%). B-mode OCT showed pachydrusen under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in 72 of the 82 eyes (87.8%). There was no significant difference in central choroidal thickness between eyes with and without pachydrusen. Pachydrusen in patients with CSC were frequently localized within the choriocapillaris filling delay and over the dilated outer choroidal vessels. Moreover, they were frequently observed under the RPE and corresponded to punctate hyperfluorescent spots on ICGA. These findings suggest that inner choroidal circulation impairment due to dilatation of outer choroidal vessels might induce pachydrusen.

Background The involvement of choroidal lesions in acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is not yet fully understood. We quantitatively examined sequential changes in the morphology and circulation hemodynamics of the choroid using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) in a patient with AMN. Case presentation A 15-year-old boy was referred to our hospital due to AMN in his right eye alone. The next day AMN developed in his left eye. Three months later, AMN lesions in both eyes spontaneously resolved and the morphology of macular photoreceptors improved. Using EDI-OCT, central choroidal thickness (CCT) was examined for a period of three months, starting from the initial visit. Using LSFG, macular mean blur rate (MBR) was examined for three months, starting 1 week after the initial visit. At the first visit, CCT of the right eye with AMN was 82 μm higher than that of the left eye, which had not yet developed AMN, and decreased by 86 μm after three months. In the left eye, similarly, CCT increased by 16 μm after the AMN onset at 1 week compared with a pre-onset value at the first visit and thereafter decreased by 57 μm at 3 months. Macular MBR increased by 20–55% OD and 51–71% OS during the follow-up until 3 months. Conclusions We found that the choroid at the macula thickened at the onset of AMN and became thin with the regression of disease. Therefore, in concert with MBR data, these results further strengthened our hypothesis that choroidal circulation impairment plays a role in the pathogenesis of AMN.

Based on previous work, this paper describes the anatomical and functional characteristics of the choroidal vasculature, namely the choriocapillaris, the arterial and arteriovenous anastomosis, the segmental distribution of the short posterior ciliary arteries, and the choroidal veins. The characteristics of the choroidal innervation with reference to the sensory nerve endings are reviewed. Some features of Bruch's membrane may explain the fundoscopic and angiographic appearance of the angioid streaks and the role of its basement membranes in the formation and transport of drusen.

A preliminary investigation has been made of choroidal blood flow using a computer-aided image analysis approach to interpretation of indocyanine green (ICG) dye choroidal angiograms. The goal of the study was to characterise blood flow through the choroidal arteries vs. choroidal capillaries and veins. The methods of analysis used are briefly reviewed, and preliminary data obtained mainly from monkey eyes are presented. Preliminary conclusions are made regarding the relationship between compliance of choroidal arterial vessels and blood flow through them.

The functional anatomy of the normal choroidal circulation in man is described from scanning electron microscopic examination of methyl methacrylate microvascular casts. Distal and para-optic short posterior ciliary arteries supply wedge-shaped areas of choroid. Regional variations in choriocapillary morphology are well recognised; the lobules are densely packed at the posterior pole with a high capillary to inter-capillary ratio. Choroidal capillaries are flattened providing a large surface area for metabolic exchange with the retinal pigment epithelium. In acute choroidal ischaemia (from a variety of systemic disease), wedge shaped choroidal lesions may correspond to occlusion of short posterior ciliary arteries and geographic or focal lesions to occlusion of choroidal arterioles or choriocapillary lobules.

The axial length of the eye and the thickness of the posterior coats of the eye were measured sonographically in 50 eyes of 25 patients with glaucoma. From these data, the volume of the posterior half of the ocular coats was calculated. The intraocular pressure (IOP) of the patients varied between 10 and 69 mmHg. A negative correlation was found between the IOP and the ocular coat dimensions (thickness and volume, r = 0.5, P less than 0.05 and r = 0.6, P less than 0.005, respectively). The possible connection between elevated IOP and the choroidal circulation is also discussed.

During exposures of the eye to light, the choroidal circulation may have a regulatory influence on the retinal temperature. This is investigated using a mathematical model and a finite-difference technique. It is predicted that the choroidal blood flow a small effect on retinal temperature, which may be important.

The ciliary nerve endings of adult albino rats were observed by transmission electron microscopy after the injection of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine. The content of both large and small granular vesicles in these endings markedly increase in density by administration of the drug. The result suggests that the endings derive from the adrenergic nerve fiber.

EOGs were obtained from 2 groups of patients suffering from glaucoma chronicum simplex the day before surgery and 3, 5, 8, 11 and 14 days after trephining or fistulizing operation after Scheie. Though and peak potentials of the treated eyes were significantly less than those of the untreated fellow eyes five days after surgery. In addition on the 11. postoperative day after Scheie a second potential decrease was seen. The EOG-changes observed appear to reflect disturbances of the choroidal circulation after fistulizing operations.

Fluorescein fundus angiographies performed with the Cannon wide-angle fundus camera enable a good vascular definition, which improves our knowledge of the choroidal circulation. Owing to the better quality of filters, the choroidal arteriolar network can be seen more precisely. Our recent studies have enabled us to confirm the existence of a special avascular area in the central part of the submacular choroid, surrounded by a perimacular choriocapillaris ring. In the macular area, the choriocapillaris corresponds to a thin layer which is most probably supplied by several arterioles from the short posterior ciliary arteries near their site of entry into the eyeball. As stated by Hayreh, there may be a central area where the capillary pressure, while being well balanced, is very low.