Role of dilated subfoveal choroidal veins in eyes with myopic macular neovascularization.

Purpose To investigate the dilated choroidal veins (DCVs) at or around myopic macular neovascularizations (MNVs) and to determine whether there is a hemodynamic relationship between them. Methods 58 eyes of 57 patients with myopic MNVs were examined. DCVs were defined as choroidal veins whose diameter was 2X larger than adjacent veins. Indocyanine green angiography and swept-source OCT images were reviewed to detect DCVs that crossed the subfoveal area. The filling sequence of the DCVs and MNVs was determined. Results Patient mean age was 71.4±10.6 years. Mean axial length was 29.3±1.8 mm. DCVs below or around the MNV were found in 17 eyes (29.3%). Emissaries of the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) were seen at or around MNVs in 8 of the 17 eyes. In these eyes, the SPCA was filled first or almost simultaneously with the filling of the MNV followed by a laminar filling of the DCVs. In one eye, afferent arterioles from the SPCAs and efferent venules connected to DCVs were seen. Conclusions DCVs are present below or around MNVs in about 30% of eyes with myopic MNV. Our findings suggest that a MNV might be a vascular unit consisting of SPCAs, afferent arterioles, efferent venules, and DCVs.