Indocyanine green angiography is of value for the diagnosis of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy in elderly patients

Background: Central serous chorioretinopathy is characterized on indocyanine green angiography by areas of transient choroidal hyperfluorescence. These findings are thought to be the consequence of altered permeability of the choroidal vessels. Methods: The indocyanine green angiograms of 41 patients between 40 and 60 years of age, with central serous chorioretinopathy and of 120 patients above 64 years of age with occult choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration were reviewed for the presence of transient indocyanine green leakage. Twelve eyes of 9 patients above 64 years of age with (1) fluorescein leakage of undetermined source corresponding with well-delineated zone(s) of retinal pigmentary changes and (2) transient indocyanine green hyperfluorescence are reported in detail. Results: Transient indocyanine green hyperfluorescence was seen in all eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy, either typical or chronic, and was seldom seen in occult choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration. In the series of chronic serous chorioretinopathy in patients above 63 years of age, four classic choroidal neovascular membranes were found in 12 eyes. Most patients presented multizonal transient choroidal hyperfluorescence in both eyes on indocyanine green angiography. Conclusion: Transient choroidal hyperfluorescence is suggestive for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy in older patients presenting retinal pigmentary disease with fluorescein leakage of undetermined source. Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy is not uncommonly associated with classic choroidal neovascularization in the elderly.