Indocyanine green and fluorescein hyperfluorescence at the site of occlusion in branch retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND

In patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), we investigated the presence of indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein hyperfluorescence at the site of occlusion. We also assessed the association of this feature with the clinical outcome of these patients.

METHODS

Both indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography and fluorescein angiography (FAG) were performed in 21 eyes with BRVO of less than 1 month duration. Deterioration of the disease was defined clinically as an increase in retinal hemorrhages or retinal edema. Capillary nonperfusion was quantified with computer image analysis from the FAG pictures.

RESULTS

ICG videoangiography showed focal hyperfluorescence along the venous wall at the site of the affected A-V crossing in 9 of the 21 eyes, and FAG showed this feature in 10 eyes. The ICG hyperfluorescence was more prominently and focally detected than the hyperfluorescence on FAG, which was sometimes diffusely seen throughout the whole occluded area. Eight of the nine eyes showing ICG hyperfluorescence had clinical deterioration with an increase in retinal hemorrhage or edema. This deterioration occurred more frequently in eyes with hyperfluorescence and/or late leakage than in ones without these features. The mean nonperfused area was significantly larger in eyes with hyperfluorescence than in eyes without these features.

CONCLUSION

The ICG hyperfluorescence at the site of A-V crossing is associated with disease deterioration in patients with fresh BRVO. The ICG hyperfluorescence was more easily detectable than the hyperfluorescence on FAG, although the difference in sensitivity between the two methods is not great.