Hyperfluorescent Areas Observed in Late-phase Indocyanine Green Angiography (IA) of IA Findings in Fellow Eyes of Unilateral Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate abnormal findings of indocyanine green angiography (IA), predisposing to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in fellow eyes of unilateral exudative AMD. Methods: We categorized 83 fellow eyes of unilateral exudative AMD into two groups, ie, 55 eyes with early age-related maculopathy, and 28 eyes with normal aging. We performed IA. Results: The late phase of IA demonstrated hyperfluorescent areas in 27 of the 83 fellow eyes, which included 22 of the 55 eyes with early age-related maculopathy and five eyes of 28 eyes with normal aging. The prevalence of the late-phase hyperfluorescence was statistically significant in early age-related maculopathy. Eight of the 22 eyes with early age-related maculopathy and one of the five eyes with normal aging progressed to exudative AMD. Conclusions: Hyperfluorescent areas observed in late-phase IA before the manifestation of exudative AMD suggested the possible presence of choroidal neovascular membrane in the subretinal pigment epithelial space.