In order to obtain more information about anterior ciliary vessels (ACVs), the authors compared bilateral ACVs of the lateral and medial recti muscles and intraoperative observations of the difference of AVC preservation between the lateral rectus and other rectus muscles. Over a 3-year period, images of ACVs were recorded from 212 patients (112 male, 100 female). Median age was 13 years (range 1 to 68 years). Exotropia was present in 113, esotropia in 81, and vertical strabismus in 18. Bilateral lateral rectus recessions were undertaken in 111 cases and 79 had bilateral medial rectus recessions. Anterior ciliary vessels of lateral and medial recti muscles were polymorphous and different in morphological features included the number of major blood vessels, branches and vascular diameter. Almost all of the ACVs of every lateral rectus were located in the fascia of the muscle surface. The layer of fascia was easy to peel off and therefore possible to preserve intact during muscle surgery. This was different for the medial rectus as there was no obvious fascia tissue wrapped between the ACVs of this muscle and blood vessels were usually located in the muscle bundles. Hence, ACVs of the medial rectus had to be peeled off individually, and were difficult to preserve. Anterior ciliary vessels of vertical rectus muscles were shallow in position but with similar fascia tissue to the medial rectus and also difficult to preserve.
Difference in anterior ciliary vessels across horizontal and vertical rectus muscles
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
The polymorphism and surgical considerations of the anterior ciliary vessels.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
View Full Profile
