Methods are provided for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation using RF energy delivered by an imaging ablation catheter under direct visualization, using the control and modulation of a set of ablation parameters based on direct optical imaging of the tissue surface via the imaging ablation catheter, where a set of optical image-derived parameters modulates the setting of a subset of Radio Frequency dosing parameters. The ablation dosing algorithms based on image-derived information can be implemented manually or in semi-automated or automated forms.