The anatomy, physiology and mechanism of vortex veins in ocular diseases associated with vortex vein dysfunction

Authors: Yang Xieke, Yan Ming, Song Yanping

Corresponding author: Song Yanping, Email: drsongyanping@163.com

Published:2026-07-10

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20250303-00061

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ABSTRACT 

The vortex vein, serving as the sole drainage pathway for the choroidal veins, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various ocular diseases due to its anatomical variations and physiological dysfunctions. This article systematically reviews the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the vortex vein, its hemodynamic properties, and the pathological mechanisms involved in diseases associated with vortex vein dysfunction, particularly focusing on the pathological changes in pachychoroid spectrum diseases. Innovations in ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography technologies have enabled researchers to observe the ampulla of the vortex vein and its anastomoses clearly. Studies indicate that congestion of the vortex vein and compensatory anastomoses are core pathological features of pachychoroid spectrum diseases. Furthermore, pressure exerted on the vortex vein due to scleral structural abnormalities exacerbates its drainage obstruction. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases associated with vortex vein dysfunction will facilitate a comprehensive analysis of the pathophysiological processes of these conditions and provide a foundation for future targeted therapeutic approaches. Future research should integrate multimodal imaging, molecular biology, and artificial intelligence technologies to investigate the compensatory mechanisms of the vortex vein, hormonal regulation pathways, and their connections with the systemic vascular system, thereby offering new insights for targeted therapy of the vortex vein.

KEYWORDS：

Ocular diseases; Vortex vein; Choroid; Vortex vein anastomosis; Pachychoroid spectrum diseases

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Authors Info & Affiliations 

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