Indocyanine green enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

Purpose To investigate the effect of indocyanine green in enhancing the eff ect of diode laser for treatment of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma. Methods Intravenous indocyanine green was used to enhance uptake of heat en ergy during transpupillary diode thermotherapy of circumscribed choroidal h aemangioma. Results In a series of 6 patients treated in this manner, response to treat ment was much improved compared with results without the use of indocyanine green. All patients retained the same or better visual acuity after treatm ent, and 67% of eyes improved visual acuity by more than 2 lines on Snellen testing. Ultrasonographic and angiographic evidence of improvement was see n in all patients. Treatment complications were minimal, comprising transie nt worsening of preexisting cystoid macular oedema in one case, and a small macular branch vein occlusion in the retina overlying the treated area. Conclusions The use of indocyanine green as a contrast medium during transp upillary thermotherapy allows consistent uptake of diode laser energy, and shortens the duration of laser burn required. It is a cost-effective, easil y performed outpatient procedure, with lower morbidity than other treatment modalities.