[Dye leakage from choroidal neovascularization with indocyanine green angiography]

The ultrastructure of experimentally induced choroidal neovascularization was studied in correlation with dye leakage in indocyanine green (ICG) infrared fluorescence angiography. Newly formed vessels which demonstrated leakage of ICG extended into the subretinal space without enclosure of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and the endothelial cells were immature. Choroidal neovascularization which did not demonstrate leakage of ICG was enclosed by RPE without retinal detachment, and the endothelial cells were mature. The newly formed vessels with immature endothelium in the subretinal space that were covered with multiple layers of RPE demonstrated no leakage. These results show that ICG leaks form choroidal neovascularization which has immature vessels that are not enclosed by RPE and that extend into the subretinal space.