Detection of subretinal neovascular membranes with indocyanine green and an infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

We studied 80 patients with subretinal neovascular membranes to demonstrate the features and limitations of indocyanine green angiography. Indocyanine green increased the detection of ill-defined membranes or those in larger exudative maculopathies. Each membrane had a characteristic small dark rim that demarcated it from surrounding choroidal tissue. Nevertheless, the complex vascular structures of the choroid and retina, which are displayed at one time, can sometimes render the separation of new vessels difficult when displayed at the same time. The results of our study indicate that indocyanine green angiography may be suggested as an additional diagnostic tool in cases of ill-defined or exudative subretinal neovascular membranes.