Advances in digital imaging technology facilitated the practical use of which type of dye?

Indocyanine Green (ICG) dye has seen increased practical use due to advances in digital imaging technology, particularly in angiography techniques. This dye is particularly beneficial for imaging the choroidal circulation in the eye, as it has properties that allow for deeper tissue penetration and clarity of images compared to other dyes.

As digital imaging systems have evolved, they have improved the capability to capture the high-resolution images required for detailed analysis of ICG. This dye fluoresces in the infrared spectrum, which complements advanced imaging systems that use infrared cameras, enabling better visualization of the blood flow in the choroid and potentially identifying pathological conditions more effectively.

In contrast, while fluorescein is commonly used in standard fundus photography, it does not leverage the same specificity provided by advanced imaging systems tailored for ICG. Other dyes listed, such as eosin and brightfield blue, are not primarily utilized in ocular imaging for assessing vascular conditions and therefore do not benefit to the same extent from these technological advancements.