Congenital optociliary shunt vessels.

Congenital optociliary shunt vessels have rarely been reported in the literature. Three cases of congenital optociliary shunt vessels are presented: two with unilateral shunt vessels and one with bilateral shunt vessels. All three patients were asymptomatic with good visual acuity and essentially normal visual fields with no apparent change in visual function over time. Associated with congenital optociliary shunt vessels is an anomalous bifurcation of the vasculature. Diagnostic implications of optociliary shunt vessels include 1) congenital variations, or 2) acquired secondary to a long-standing venous congestive event as occurs with optic nerve sheath meningioma, central retinal vein occlusion, papilledema, hyaloid bodies of the optic nervehead, dysthyroid optic neuropathy, and papillophlebitis.