296 posters, 7 videos, 13 audios, 14 topics, 10 sessions, 1,019 authors, 260 institutions
ePostersLive by SciGen Technologies S.A. All rights reserved.
RCOphth Annual Congress 2026
18 - 21 May, 2026 | Manchester Central, Manchester
P188
Retinal Vessel Anomalies- A Retrospective Study
Poster Presenter
Authors
Part of Topic
Medical retina
Audio
Background
•Retinal vascular anomalies are rare congenital variants.
•Often identified incidentally during routine fundus imaging.
•Can mimic serious pathology → risk of over-investigation.
•
Key entities:
•Situs inversus of retinal vessels (SIRV)
•Congenital retinal macrovessel (CRM)
•
SIRV
•Congenital misdirection of retinal vessels (nasal emergence).
•~80% cases are bilateral.
•Linked to abnormal optic stalk–vesicle development.
CRM
•Large aberrant vessel crossing macula (usually venous).
•Embryological vascular development error (weeks 15–16).
Aim
To determine the incidental detection rate and clinical characteristics of retinal vascular anomalies in a medical retina cohort.
Methods
Retrospective observational study
Image Selection Criteria
Inclusion
•Clear optic disc & macula
•High-resolution images
Exclusion
•Media opacity
•Poor focus
•Limited field of view
Results
Detection Rate = 1.2%
Subtype breakdown
•SIRV = 0.8% (4 eyes) -> 2 patients identified, bilateral nasal vessel emergence, findings consistent with previously reported bilateral prevalence.
•CRM = 0.4% (2 eyes) -> 1 patient identified, bilateral aberrant macrovessel crossing the macula, represents an uncommon bilateral presentation.
Clinical Relevance
Diagnostic Pitfalls
SIRV may mimic : optic disc hypoplasia, tilted disc, pseudopapilloedema.
CRM may mimic: AV malformations, macular telangiectasia, BRVO.
Why It Matters
Risk of:
•Over-referral
•Unnecessary imaging
•Patient anxiety
Recognition improves diagnostic confidence
Key Context
•SIRV prevalence consistent with literature (0.2–0.5%).
•CRM extremely rare (~1 in 200,000); bilateral cases uncommon.
•
Conclusion
•SIRV and CRM are rare, benign retinal vascular anomalies.
•Often incidental and asymptomatic.
•Can mimic significant pathology if unrecognised.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Retinal vascular anomalies are rare, benign variants that can mimic pathology—recognition is essential to avoid over-investigation and improve diagnostic confidence.