Fluorescein angiography is an eye test that uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina and choroid, the two layers in the back of the eye.
Alternative NamesRetinal Photography; Eye angiography
How the test is performedEye drops that make the pupil dilate will be given. You will be asked to place your chin on the camera's chin rest and your forehead against a support bar to keep your head still during the test.
The health care provider will take pictures of the inside of your eye. After the first group of pictures are taken, a dye called fluorescein is injected into a vein, usually at the bend of your elbow. Then, a special camera takes pictures as the dye moves through the blood vessels in the back of your eye.
How to prepare for the testYou will need someone to drive you home, because your vision may be blurred up to 12 hours after the test.
You may be told to discontinue drugs that could affect the test results. Tell your health care provide about any Allergies, particularly reactions to iodine.
You must sign an informed consent form. You must remove contact lenses before the test.
Tell the health care provider if you may be pregnant.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
When the dye is injected, you may have mild nausea and a warm sensation. These symptoms are usually very brief.
The dye will cause your urine to be darker, and possibly orange in color, for a day or two after the test.
Why the test is performedThis test is done to see if there is proper blood flow in the blood vessels in the two layers in the back of your eye (the retina and choroid).
It can also be used to diagnose problems in the eye or to determine how well certain eye treatments are working.
Normal ValuesA normal result means the vessels appear a normal size, there are no new abnormal vessels, and there are no blockages or leakages.
What abnormal results meanIf blockage or leakage is present, the pictures will map the location for possible treatment.
An abnormal value on a fluorescein angiography may be due to:
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
What the risks areThere is a slight chance of infection any time the skin is broken. Rarely, a person is hypersensitive to the dye and may experience:
Serious allergic reactions are rare.
Your urine will be darker, and possibly orange in color, for a day or two after the test.
Special considerationsThe test results are harder to interpret in people with cataracts.
ReferencesMaguire JI, Federman JL. Intravenous fluorescein angiography. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 44.
Ciardella AP, Kaufman SR, Yannuzzi LA. The use of fluorescein angiography in acquired macular diseases. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 113F.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/28/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Fluorescein angiography is an eye test that uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina and choroid.
Alternative NamesRetinal photography; Eye angiography
How the test is performedEye drops that make the pupil dilate will be given. You will be asked to place your chin on a chin rest and your forehead against a support bar to keep your head still during the test.
The health care provider will take pictures of the inside of your eye. After the first group of pictures are taken, a special dye called fluorescein is injected into your vein, usually at the bend of the elbow. A special camera takes pictures of the dye as it moves through the blood vessels in the back of the eye.
More photographs are taken up to 20 minutes after the injection.
How to prepare for the testYou will need someone to drive you home, because your vision may be blurred up to 12 hours after the test.
You may be told to discontinue drugs that could affect the test results. Tell your health care provide about any allergies, particularly reactions to iodine.
You must sign an informed consent form. You must remove contact lenses before the test.
Tell the health care provider if you may be pregnant.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
When the dye is injected, you may have mild nausea and a warm sensation. These symptoms are usually very brief.
Why the test is performedThis test is used to determine if there is proper circulation in the blood vessels of the retina. It can also be used to diagnose problems in the eye or to determine how well treatment is working.
Normal ValuesA normal result means the vessels appear a normal size and there are no blockages or leakages.
What abnormal results meanIf blockage or leakage is present, the pictures will map the location for possible treatment.
An abnormal value on a fluorescein angiography may be due to:
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
What the risks areThere is a slight chance of infection any time the skin is broken. Rarely, a person is hypersensitive to the dye and may experience:
Serious allergic reactions are rare.
Your urine will be darker, and possibly orange in color, for a day or two after the test.
Special considerationsPeople with cataracts will have less accurate test results.
ReferencesYanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al., eds. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:800-805.
Singh AD, Rundle PA, Rennie I. Retinal vascular tumors. Ophthalmol Clin North Am. 2005;18(1):167-176.
used to diagnose retinal problems and circulatory disorders. It is typically conducted as an outpatient procedure
Alex E. Jalkh has written: 'Atlas of fluorescein angiography' -- subject(s): Atlases, Diagnosis, Eye Diseases, Fluorescein Angiography, Retinal Diseases
Fluorescein angiography is the medical term meaning radiographic study of the blood vessels of the retina. This process can examine retinal vessels in the case of diabetes.
David H. Orth has written: 'Fluorescein angiography' -- subject(s): Diagnosis, Diseases, Fluorescence angiography, Retina
Yes. It's a test to see if the patient is allergic to the contrast or dye before they inject her with it.
test results should display a normal and unimpeded flow of blood through the vascular system. Fluorescein angiography should result in no leakage of fluorescein dye through the retinal blood vessels.
Elias Reichel has written: 'Atlas of indocyanine green angiography' -- subject(s): Atlases, Blood-vessels, Choroid, Diagnostic use, Fluorescein Angiography, Indocyanine green, Radiography, Retina
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Software CD to see angiography
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