Variation of vortex veins at the horizontal watershed in normal eyes

To assess the vascular pattern of choroidal vortex veins at the horizontal watershed zone in normal eyes using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

We retrospectively studied 207 normal eyes of 207 patients whose fellow eyes were diagnosed with unilateral retinal diseases without choroidal involvement. Venous anastomosis between the superior and inferior vortex veins and deviation of the horizontal watershed zone were evaluated using 12 × 12-mm en face OCT images. Central choroidal thickness (CCT) was measured on B-mode OCT images.

Vortex vein anastomosis was observed in 92 eyes (44.4%) at the horizontal watershed zone. Superior or inferior deviation of the horizontal watershed was ascertained in 69 eyes (33.3%). The frequency of the anastomosis and deviation did not differ significantly between age groups (P = 0.56 and 0.96, respectively). Mean CCT of all eyes was 221 ± 80 μm. CCT was significantly greater in eyes with anastomosis than in those without (233 ± 73 μm vs 210 ± 83 μm, P < 0.05). However, CCT did not differ significantly between eyes with and without deviation of the horizontal watershed zone (223 ± 74 μm vs 219 ± 82 μm).

Venous anastomosis at the horizontal watershed zone as well as superior or inferior deviation of the zone were frequently observed in normal eyes. CCT was greater in eyes with than in those without anastomosis, suggesting subclinical vortex vein congestion.