Indocyanine green hyperfluorescence associated with serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE

Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography may improve visualization of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The features of ICG hyperfluorescence associated with serous RPED and therapeutic effect of ICG-directed laser photocoagulation in eyes with serous RPED is evaluated.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of all simultaneous fluorescein/ICG angiograms (n = 918) performed over an 18-month period to identify 44 eyes in 39 patients with serous RPED secondary to AMD on fluorescein angiography.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-nine patients with AMD, aged 53 to 89 years, participated.

INTERVENTION

Eyes were nonrandomly treated with ICG-directed laser photocoagulation or observation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Characteristics of ICG hyperfluorescence associated with a serous RPED are reviewed. Final visual acuity and anatomic appearance of the serous RPED are given.

RESULTS

Twenty-three (52%) of the 44 eyes had an isolated serous RPED without obvious CNV, and 21 (48%) of the 44 eyes had a serous RPED associated with occult CNV on fluorescein angiography. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated underlying CNV in 19 eyes (83%) with an isolated serous RPED and in all 21 eyes (100%) with serous RPED and occult CNV. The pattern of ICG hyperfluorescence revealed focal CNV in 15 eyes and plaque CNV in 4 eyes with an isolated serous RPED. In eyes with serous RPED and occult CNV, focal CNV and plaque CNV were noted with ICG in 8 and 13 eyes, respectively. No follow-up was available for two eyes. Twenty eyes were treated with ICG-directed laser photocoagulation. In these eyes, the visual acuity remained stable in 6 eyes (30%) and decreased in 14 eyes (70%). Twenty-two eyes were observed, and the visual acuity remained stable in 8 (36%), improved in 2 (9%), and decreased in 12 eyes (55%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although ICG angiography may enhance visualization of CNV associated with serous RPED in AMD, ICG-directed laser treatment did not appear to improve visual acuity when compared with observed eyes in this series.