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.