Scanning laser ophthalmoscope findings in eyes with senile disciform macular degeneration

We performed fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (IA) using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope in 160 eyes with active-stage senile disciform macular degeneration and no history of prior photocoagulation. A choroidal neovascular membrane was detected in 65.0% of eyes by FA alone, in 75.0% of eyes by IA alone, and in 87.5% of eyes by a combination of FA and IA. IA was more useful in detecting a choroidal neovascular membrane in eyes with extensive subretinal hemorrhage or exudative detachment of retinal pigment epithelium. On the other hand, FA was more useful in detecting a choroidal neovascular membrane in eyes with subretinal proliferative connective tissue and exudation. With both FA and IA, a 20-degree field for observation was helpful in detecting the location and border of choroidal neovascular membrane and even permitted detection of a small neovascular vessel loop. IA, when used with a 20-degree field for observation, was effective in detecting the vessels feeding the subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane in 9 of 19 eyes (47.4%) with senile disciform macular degeneration.