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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model
Published on: April 3, 2016
Perforating scleral vessels in children and myopia-related pattern
Fiammetta Catania1, Youssef Abdelmassih1, Emanuele Crincoli1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France.
Acta Ophthalmologica
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Myopic children have more perforating scleral vessels (PSVs) oriented against the scleral curvature compared to non-myopic children. These PSVs also have a smaller entry angle, potentially influencing axial elongation in myopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Anatomy
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Perforating scleral vessels (PSVs) are crucial for scleral vascularization and nutrition.
- Understanding PSV characteristics in pediatric eyes is essential for myopia research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence, location, and orientation of PSVs at the ocular posterior pole between emmetropic and myopic children.
- Investigate potential differences in PSV morphology and distribution related to refractive error.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study using enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).
- Defined PSVs as tubular hypo-reflective structures traversing the sclera on macular OCT images.
- Classified PSVs as curvature-conforming or against-curvature based on their orientation relative to scleral curvature.
Main Results:
- Myopic eyes (n=52) exhibited a significantly higher total PSV number compared to non-myopic eyes (n=50).
- Against-curvature PSVs were significantly more prevalent and numerous in myopic eyes (p<0.001).
- Myopic eyes showed a smaller PSV entry angle (38° vs. 51°, p<0.001) and different sectoral distribution.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in PSV count, location, entry angle, and direction exist between myopic and non-myopic eyes.
- These findings suggest a potential role for PSVs in myopic axial elongation.
- Further longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the precise contribution of PSVs to myopia progression.
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