Central serous chorioretinopathy and indocyanine green angiography.

BACKGROUND: Because of limitations in imaging through the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), fluorescein angiography has not been able to characterize the choroidal abnormalities that are thought to be causative factors in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

METHODS: Digital indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography and fluorescein angiography were performed in 34 consecutive patients with various forms of CSC to investigate choroidal abnormalities.

RESULTS: The ICG videoangiographic studies revealed choroidal staining in association with active, spontaneously resolved, and previously photocoagulated pigment epithelial leaks documented with fluorescein angiography. In the space of a few minutes, the dye progressively spread outward from the region of choroidal staining.

CONCLUSION: Localized hyperpermeability of the choriocapillaris, probably associated with segmental choroidal hyperperfusion, may be a causative factor of characteristic RPE and neurosensory retinal exudative changes in CSC.