Illustration of eye blood vessels with emphasis on peripheral flow.

Unlocking the Eye's Secrets: How Blood Flow Patterns Reveal Hidden Risks

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New insights into choriocapillaris dynamics could revolutionize early glaucoma detection and treatment."

The choroid, located at the back of the eye, is nourished by the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs). These vessels branch into the choriocapillaris, a dense network of capillaries essential for the outer retina's health. The choriocapillaris delivers nutrients and removes waste, making its proper function critical for vision.

Understanding the intricate blood flow within the choriocapillaris has been challenging. Traditional theories suggest a central arteriole feeding each lobule (small section) of the choriocapillaris, with drainage via peripheral venules. However, recent research is challenging this view, suggesting a more complex supply route.

This article explores groundbreaking research that uses advanced imaging techniques to study choriocapillaris blood flow in primate eyes under controlled pressure conditions. By examining how different dyes fill the choriocapillaris, scientists are uncovering new insights into its structure and function, potentially paving the way for earlier detection and treatment of eye diseases like glaucoma.

Choriocapillaris Blood Flow: Challenging Old Theories

Illustration of eye blood vessels with emphasis on peripheral flow.

Researchers used indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fluorescein angiography (FA) on primate eyes, elevating intraocular pressure (IOP) to mimic conditions seen in glaucoma. This allowed them to observe the early phases of dye filling in the choriocapillaris with exceptional clarity.

The findings challenged the traditional 'central arteriole' theory. Instead of a central source, ICGA revealed C-shaped arterioles multiplying at the periphery of choriocapillaris lobules. These vessels formed a network around dark mosaics, with dye gradually infiltrating inward.

ICGA Insights: Showed peripheral arterioles feeding the lobules.
FA Findings: Highlighted numerous hyperfluorescent spots enlarging into mosaics with dark outer rims.
Superimposed Images: Confirmed that ICGA-identified arterioles corresponded to the dark rims seen in FA, reinforcing the peripheral supply theory.

FA, while also highlighting lobular patterns, showed a slightly delayed dye emergence compared to ICGA. This delay is likely due to fluorescein leaking through capillary fenestrations, creating a higher concentration within the lobules before becoming visible. The horizontal diameter of the optic disc contained three to four mosaics in both monkeys.

New Avenues for Glaucoma Detection and Treatment

This research significantly advances our understanding of choriocapillaris hemodynamics. By demonstrating that lobules are supplied by peripheral arterioles, not central ones, it overturns long-held beliefs and opens new avenues for research.

These findings have significant implications for glaucoma. Glaucoma often involves impaired blood flow to the optic nerve, and understanding the precise mechanisms of choriocapillaris perfusion could lead to earlier diagnostic tools. Imagine being able to identify subtle changes in peripheral arteriolar function before significant vision loss occurs.

Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in larger populations and to explore the precise role of these peripheral arterioles in various eye diseases. However, this research provides a crucial foundation for developing targeted therapies aimed at improving choriocapillaris blood flow and preserving vision.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1167/iovs.17-22223, Alternate LINK

Title: Different Filling Patterns Of The Choriocapillaris In Fluorescein And Indocyanine Green Angiography In Primate Eyes Under Elevated Intraocular Pressure

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science

Publisher: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Authors: Naoto Hanyuda, Hideo Akiyama, Yukitoshi Shimoda, Ryo Mukai, Morihiko Sano, Yoichiro Shinohara, Shoji Kishi

Published: 2017-11-16

Everything You Need To Know

What is the choriocapillaris and why is it important?

The choriocapillaris is a dense network of capillaries situated in the choroid, at the back of the eye. It is crucial for vision because it supplies nutrients and removes waste for the outer retina, which is essential for sight. Proper function of the choriocapillaris is vital for maintaining the health of the outer retina.

What role do the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) play in the eye?

The short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) are the primary blood vessels that nourish the choroid, from which the choriocapillaris originates. These arteries branch out to form the choriocapillaris, which then provides vital support to the outer retina. Understanding the dynamics of these arteries and the choriocapillaris is key to diagnosing and treating eye diseases, like glaucoma.

What are ICGA and FA, and how are they used?

ICGA and FA are advanced imaging techniques used to visualize blood flow patterns within the choriocapillaris. ICGA, or indocyanine green angiography, showed that the choriocapillaris lobules are supplied by peripheral arterioles. FA, or fluorescein angiography, highlighted numerous hyperfluorescent spots that expanded into mosaics. By using both techniques, researchers gained a more comprehensive understanding of the blood supply to the choriocapillaris.

How does the new research change what was previously believed about blood flow in the eye?

The traditional theory suggested that each lobule of the choriocapillaris had a central arteriole as its main supply route. The new research challenges this notion, showing that the supply actually comes from peripheral arterioles. This change in understanding is significant because it reshapes how scientists think about blood flow dynamics in the eye, particularly concerning conditions such as glaucoma.

What are the potential benefits of this research for the future?

The new research has important implications for detecting and treating glaucoma. Because the research shows that the blood supply to the choriocapillaris is different than previously thought, this could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. It also allows researchers to develop new treatments that target the specific blood flow patterns in the choriocapillaris to improve eye health.