VORTEX VEIN EXIT SITES - SCLERAL COORDINATES

Purpose: The authors determined the frequency and scleral coordinates of vortex vein exit sites in 46 autopsy eyes to provide topographic da ta that will enable surgeons to locate these vessels more precisely. M ethods: Forty-six autopsy eyes were examined under a dissecting micros cope to measure the frequency of vortex veins and the cord lengths bet ween the vortex vein scleral exit sites and the limbus, rectus muscle insertions, and oblique muscle insertions. Results: Data from this stu dy showed that 32 (70%) of the 46 individual eyes studied had more tha n four vortex veins. The number of second or third vortex veins found in the nasal quadrants was significantly higher than the number found in the temporal quadrants (P < 0.01). Statistical analyses of the meas urements provided mean values for distances between vortex vein sclera l exit sites and the three nearest extraocular muscle insertions; thes e positions among eyes were found to be relatively uniform (standard d eviation, 0.7-2.5 mm). Conclusion: The authors suggest that the majori ty of adult eyes encountered by a surgeon will have more than four vor tex vein exit sites and that more vortex veins may be expected in the nasal quadrants than in the temporal quadrants. This study delineates the locations of vortex vein exit sites so that surgeons can reliably predict their surface positions to avoid vessel laceration and its ens uing complications.