Increased diode laser uptake in inner retinal layers after indocyanine green staining of the internal limiting membrane

Intraoperative use of indocyanine green to stain the internal limiting membrane assists in its visualization and removal. This article describes increased uptake of diode laser energy by the superficial layers of the retina after indocyanine green staining of the internal limiting membrane in a patient with diabetic macular edema and a taut, attached posterior hyaloid. The patient was undergoing pars plana vitrectomy, removal of the posterior hyaloid, and indocyanine green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane. In addition, panretinal diode laser endophotocoagulation was performed after discovering retinal neovascularization. In areas that were more intensely stained with indocyanine green, the clinical appearance and optical coherence tomography scans demonstrated markedly increased laser energy uptake in the superficial layers of the retina. This case indicates near-infrared or infrared laser procedures performed in areas of indocyanine green-stained internal limiting membrane may necessitate adjustment of laser power and technique.