[The role of angiography in age-related macular degeneration]

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common disease. Angiography with fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) respectively is a proven diagnostic tool, which enables to diagnose the disease's different forms. Being an invasive method, it must however be undertaken with clear indications. This overview article is based on the literature available and on own experiences with exudative AMD, studied by simultaneous fluorescein and ICG angiography (using the Rodenstock scanning laser ophthalmoscope). In non-neovascular AMD (drusen, abnormalities and geographic atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium), angiography may be indicated only in atypical cases in order to allow the correct diagnosis. In exudative AMD (with suspected choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and/or pigment epithelial detachment), angiography is indicated very early in order to find a treatable lesion. Fluorescence angiography is indicated in AMD in order to find the correct diagnosis in atypical cases and in order to find a potentially treatable lesion in the exudative form.