Choroidopathy in patients with sarcoidosis observed by simultaneous indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography.

PURPOSE

To examine choroidopathy in patients with sarcoidosis.

METHODS

In a prospective clinical study, 10 consecutive patients (20 eyes) with sarcoidosis underwent simultaneous indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein angiography (FA) with a double detector of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Angiographic findings recorded on videotapes were evaluated, and the relation of ICG angiographic findings with systemic activity and the extent of retinal inflammation was analyzed.

RESULTS

Indocyanine green angiographic findings, not evident with fluorescein, were multiple lobular hypofluorescent spots in the posterior pole in 10 eyes of 5 patients, isolated hypofluorescent plaques in 2 eyes of 1 patient, hyperfluorescent spots in 3 eyes of 2 patients, and segmental choroidal vascular wall staining in 6 eyes of 4 patients. The multiple lobular hypofluorescent spots with ICG were observed at a significantly higher rate in eyes with extensive retinal vascular leakage of fluorescein than in eyes with minimal leakage (chi-square test, P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with sarcoidosis showed choroidal abnormalities that could be revealed by ICG angiography, but not by funduscopy or FA. Simultaneous ICG and FA angiography may be useful for examining choroidal lesions in sarcoidosis.