Ophthalmic vein

Ophthalmic vein

The ophthalmic veins.

The ophthalmic vein refers to a pair of veins, the superior ophthalmic vein and the inferior ophthalmic vein, that drain the ocular region. These veins are significant in the venous drainage of the eye, eyelids, eyebrows, and parts of the nose.

Anatomy

The superior ophthalmic vein originates from the supraorbital vein and the angular vein, which is a branch of the facial vein. It passes through the superior orbital fissure to drain into the cavernous sinus.

The inferior ophthalmic vein, smaller than the superior, begins at the floor and medial wall of the orbit. It also drains into the cavernous sinus, either directly or through the superior ophthalmic vein.

Clinical significance

The ophthalmic veins, due to their direct communication with the cavernous sinus, are of clinical importance as they can act as a pathway for the spread of infection or inflammation from the face and orbit to the cavernous sinus, a condition known as cavernous sinus thrombosis.

See also

• Ophthalmic artery
• Central retinal vein
• Cavernous sinus