Purpose: To reduce the retention of indocyanine green (ICG) on the retina by selectively staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) with whole blood during ICG-assisted ILM peeling.
Design: Interventional, non-comparative, prospective case series.
Methods: Autologous whole blood was applied to cover the macular area and selectively removed to expose the area needed to be stained. ICG solution (1 mg/ml) diluted in glucose 5% was used to selectively stain the macular area. The stained ILM was removed completely.
Results: We studied 22 patients with macular holes, eight with macular pucker and four with diabetic macular edemas. The ILM was selectively stained successfully by ICG with whole blood. One month after surgery, we found no autofluorescence in the posterior pole by infrared-sensitive camera.
Conclusions: Autologous whole blood can help to achieve the goal of selectively staining ILM, further reducing the retention of ICG. It may further reduce ICG toxic effects.