Indocyanine green angiographic features of pathologic myopia.

Purpose: To analyze indocyanine green angiographic findings of pathologic myopia and compare them with those of fluorescein angiography, with particular reference to the usefulness of indocyanine green angiography in the management of neovascular complications.

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients (52 eyes) with pathologic myopia underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography.

Results: Retrobulbar arteries and veins were visualized solely on indocyanine green angiography in 33 (63%) of 52 eyes. Choroidal arteries appeared attenuated and reduced in number. In the area of staphyloma, choroidal veins were less numerous, and in all eyes an absence of the normal choroidal flush caused by the choriocapillaris filling was observed. Subretinal and retinal hemorrhages were present in 28 (54%) of 52 eyes. Choroidal neovascularization was diagnosed in 16 eyes on fluorescein angiography and in 18 eyes on indocyanine green angiography. In seven eyes, indocyanine green angiography disclosed lacquer cracks (without choroidal neovascularization), appearing in the late phases as hypofluorescent lines, as the probable cause of the subretinal and retinal hemorrhages. In only one eye did indocyanine green angiography fail to disclose choroidal neovascularization detectable on fluorescein angiography. In two eyes, neither dye could clarify the origin of the hemorrhages.

Conclusions: Indocyanine green angiography allows identification of retrobulbar arteries and veins, and analysis of the altered choroidal vasculature. Moreover, indocyanine green angiography is a useful diagnostic tool to differentiate lacquer cracks from choroidal neovascularization in retinal and subretinal hemorrhages.