Fundus analysis of autofluorescence of stale fundus haemorrhage in indocyanine green angiography

Objective: To investigate the autofluorescence of stale fundus haemorrhage in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

Methods: The color photographs and ICGA were performed in 36 eyes of 36 cases of exudative AMD or PCV with stale fundus haemorrhage. All of the cases were examined by funduscopy and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA).

Results: Autofluorescence could be observed in all of the stale haemorrhage cases. Stale haemorrhage showed grayish color and the shapes and sizes of autofluorescence in ICGA were in accordance with those of the stale haemorrhage in the color photographs. The boundaries of autofluorescence were clear and the intensities were strong. The percentage of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or PCV in or beside stale haemorrhage was significantly higher than that outside the stale haemorrhage (27 eyes, 75%).

Conclusions: Autofluorescence of stale haemorrhage in ICGA can be mixed up with the high fluorescence of CNV and grapes-like polypoidal dilatation. It is helpful to compare the color photographs with ICGA and recognize the different ICGA characteristics in the assessment of ICGA results in these circumstances.