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Î Intravenous fundus fluorescein angiography is helpful to detect
persistent or recurrent CNV or other retinal diseases following
treatment. (III, In, D)
Î Intravenous fundus fluorescein angiography is helpful to assist in
determining the cause of visual loss that is not explained by the
clinical examination. (III, In, D)
Î If CNV is suspected on the basis of new symptoms or ocular findings,
fluorescein angiography should be performed and interpreted
expeditiously by an individual experienced in managing patients with
neovascular AMD. (III, G, S)
Î If fluorescein angiography is performed, the physician must be aware
of potential risks associated with this procedure. (II-, G, S)
Î Each angiographic facility should have a care plan in place for an
emergency situation, as well as a clear protocol to minimize the risks
and to manage complications. (III, G, S)
Î Color fundus photographs may be obtained when angiography is
performed, because they are useful in finding landmarks, evaluating
serous detachments of the neurosensory retina and RPE, and
determining the etiology of blocked fluorescence. (III, G, D)
Î Fundus photographs may also be used as a baseline reference for
selected patients with advanced non-neovascular AMD and for follow-
up of treated patients. (III, G, D)
Î Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography has been shown to be useful
in evaluating specific forms of AMD, such as pigment epithelial
detachment, poorly defined CNV, occult CNV, and lesions including
retinal angiomatous proliferation or idiopathic polypoidal choroidal
vasculopathy. (II-, M, D)
Î When ICG angiography is performed, the physician must be aware
of potential risks associated with this procedure: severe medical
complications, allergic reactions, and even death. (III, G, S)
Î Several other tests including fundus autofluorescence, microperimetry
and adaptive optics have been used for evaluation of patients with
AMD. However, their role in clinical practice is poorly defined at this
time. (III, In, D)
Î Patients with early AMD and/or a family history of AMD should
be encouraged to assess their own visual acuity using monocular
vision testing (i.e., Amsler grid), and have scheduled dilated eye
examinations for detecting the intermediate stage of AMD. (III, G, S)
