Indolicin trimethine dyes of general formula (I) in which the meanings of the variables are: R1 represents C¿1?-C22 alkyl groups which may carry the following substituents: halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, benzyloxy, C1-C6 alkanoyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl or phenyl; C3-C7 cycloalkyl groups which may carry the following substituents: halogen, C1-C4 alkyl or C1-C4 alkoxy; phenyl groups which may carry the following substituents: halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, carboxy, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl or hydroxysulphonyl; R?2¿ represents one of the radicals R1, where the C chain of the C¿1?-C22 alkyl groups may be interrupted into ether function by one to five oxygen atoms; R?3¿ represents hydrogen, halogen or C¿1?-C6 alkyl; Z represents -O- or -NH-; AN?-¿ represents the equivalent of an acid anion; and optical recording media for the recording and reproduction of information by means of laser beams having an indolicin trimethine dye I in the light-sensitive layer.