Choroidal circulatory disturbances associated with retinal angiomatous proliferation on indocyanine green angiography

Purpose To investigate the association between choroidal perfusion and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Methods We performed indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) on 26 eyes of 13 consecutive patients with RAP, and 17 eyes of 17 age-matched controls without age-related macular degeneration. In eyes with RAP and concurrent pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs), we evaluated ICGA images obtained after the PEDs resolved following treatment. Of the 26 eyes in the study group, five eyes with stage 3 RAP or a disciform scar and two eyes that underwent photodynamic therapy were excluded from further evaluation, leaving 19 eyes (11 eyes with stage 1 or 2 RAP and eight fellow eyes without RAP). Results Early decreased choroidal filling (EDCF) was observed in nine (81.8%) of 11 eyes with RAP and five (62.5%) of eight fellow eyes without RAP. Late decreased choroidal filling (LDCF) occurred in nine (81.8%) of 11 eyes with RAP and four (50%) of eight fellow eyes without RAP. The incidence of EDCF and LDCF was significantly higher in eyes with RAP than in the control eyes (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions Persistent decreased choroidal filling is common in early-stage RAP. Clinicians should be aware of this, especially when considering treatment.