Evaluation of Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Choroidal Vasculature Using Swept-source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

PURPOSE

The authors visualized arterioles from the peripapillary choroid to the optic nerve head in vivo, using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this case series, we present 3 eyes with visible centripetal branches from the peripapillary choroid. The 3 eyes were diagnosed as glaucoma suspect, normal-tension glaucoma, and primary open-angle glaucoma. In the en face projection images of the choroidal layer, obtained by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography, the vessels from the peripapillary choroid to the optic nerve head were observed in all 3 eyes; one of them was further evaluated by indocyanine green angiography using the Heidelberg retina angiograph. The filling pattern, as viewed on high-speed indocyanine green angiographic video, confirmed that the vessels were arterioles originating from the peripapillary choroid and supplying the prelaminar region of the optic nerve head.

CONCLUSIONS

The prelaminar region of the optic nerve head might be supplied by the peripapillary choroid in addition to the known major blood supply from the short posterior ciliary arteries.