Indocyanine green facilitates removal of epiretinal and internal limiting membranes in myopic eyes with retinal detachment.

Abstract

To describe the use of intravitreal indocyanine green as an aid to identifying epiretinal membranes and internal-limiting membranes during surgery for a retinal detachment resulting from a macular hole. A 62-year-old man who had a retinal detachment resulting from a macular hole underwent vitrectomy. During the surgery, intravitreal indocyanine green was injected intravitreally. The internal-limiting membrane was stained green, but the epiretinal membrane was unstained. Because the epiretinal membrane and internal-limiting membrane were clearly identified, they could be completely removed. The clinical observations of the epiretinal membrane and internal-limiting membrane excised were confirmed by electron microscopy. Successful reattachment was obtained without damage to the retina. Removal of epiretinal membrane and internal-limiting membrane can be facilitated by using intravitreal indocyanine green during vitrectomy. We recommend further studies to confirm the benefit of this technique.