Comparison of characteristics between indocyanine green and fundus fluorescence angiography in patients with age-related macular degeneration

Objective To compare the characteristics between indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fundus fluorescence angiography ( FFA ) in patients with age-related macular degeneration ( ARMD ). Methods Twenty-five cases ( 35 eyes ) were diagnosed as exudative ARMD by ocular examination. Their age ranged from 60 to 81 years. The visual acuities were 1.0 at FC/30 cm before eye. We analyzed and compared the characteristics of FFA and ICGA in these patients. Results 5 eyes ( 14.3% ) with classic choroidal neovascularization ( CNV ) were found by FFA examination. 15 eyes ( 42.9% ) with classic CNV were found by ICGA examination. Of 20 eyes with occult CNV considered by FFA, 7 eyes had classic CNV by ICGA. Of 3 eyes considered as serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment ( PED ) without classic CNV by FFA, 1 eye had serous PED with classic CNV and 2 eyes had classic CNV by ICGA.1 eye was diagnosed as serous PED with CNV by FFA, and as occult CNV by ICGA. Conclusions ICGA raise detectability and accuracy of CNV in ARMD compared with FFA. It is contributive to early treatment in ARMD.