ICGA: why I think that it is still relevant today

Purpose To discuss the role of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in ophthalmology and the breaking news on this methodology. Methods The current literature is reviewed and the experience of a tertiary referral centre is reported. Results ICGA is an essential method used to explore the posterior pole in several sight-threatening diseases. Although this technique has been proven effective in detecting anomalies which were unappreciable with the traditional methods, there is still reluctancy in making use of such method. In the recent past months the topic of ICGA has again moved to the forefront of angiographic actuality with two editorial articles in largely diffused ophthalmological journals. The scientific dignity of ICGA is discussed and advocated by the western World, mostly by highly specialized ophthalmic centres in Europe. We will discuss the state of the art of the clinical use and the evidences in the medical literature of the ICGA. Conclusion ICGA is a validated method for the evaluation of the posterior pole, which can provide essential informations for the clinical assessment and management of several diseases. Albeit the validity of such technique has been proven, there is still some unjustified reluctancy in accepting its pivotal role in ophthalmology: the evidences suggest its use for every single disease that can affect the choroid and cannot be appreciated by the traditional tests.