Retinal photography; Eye angiography; Retinopathy – fluorescein
Fluorescein angiography is an eye test that uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina and choroid. These are the two layers in the back of the eye.
How the Test is Performed
You will be given eye drops that make your pupil dilate. 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 is taken, a dye called fluorescein is injected into a vein. Most often it is injected at the inside of your elbow. A camera-like device takes pictures as the dye moves through the blood vessels in the back of your eye.
How to Prepare for the Test
You will need someone to drive you home. Your vision may be blurry for up to 12 hours after the test.
You may be told to stop taking medicines that could affect the test results. Tell your provider about any allergies, particularly reactions to iodine.
You must sign an informed consent form. You must remove contact lenses before the test.
Tell the provider if you may be pregnant.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted, some people feel slight pain. Other others feel only a prick or sting. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
When the dye is injected, you may have mild nausea and a warm feeling in your body. These symptoms go away quickly most of the time.
The dye will cause your urine to be darker. It may be orange in color for a day or two after the test.
Why the Test is Performed
This 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 Results
A 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 Mean
If 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:
- Blood flow (circulatory) problems, such as blockage of the arteries or veins
- Cancer
- Diabetic or other retinopathy
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation or edema
- Macular degeneration
- Microaneurysms — enlargement of capillaries in the retina
- Tumors
- Swelling of the optic disc
The test may also be done if you have:
- Retinal detachment
- Retinitis pigmentosa
Risks
There is a slight chance of infection any time the skin is broken. Rarely, a person is overly sensitive to the dye and may experience:
- Dizziness or faintness
- Dry mouth or increased salivation
- Hives
- Increased heart rate
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sneezing
Serious allergic reactions are rare.
Considerations
The test results are harder to interpret in people with cataracts.
FAQ
What is retinal fluorescein angiography?
- Fluorescein angiography is an eye test that uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina and choroid. These are the two layers in the back of the eye.
How is fluorescein angiography performed?
- Fluorescein angiography is a medical procedure in which a fluorescent dye is injected into the bloodstream. The dye highlights the blood vessels in the back of the eye so they can be photographed. This test is often used to manage eye disorders.
Is fluorescein angiography painful?
- Extravasation (the dye is forced from the blood vessel into surrounding tissue) of fluorescein dye during the injection can be a serious complication of angiography and can be quite painful due to the pH.
What are the stages of fluorescein angiography?
- Fluorescein angiograms progress through five phases: pre-arterial (choroidal flush), arterial, arteriovenous, venous and late recirculation.
Why is fluorescein angiography done?
- Fluorescein angiography looks at the blood flow to your retina and the rest of your eye. Your eye doctor may recommend it for reasons like To diagnose, confirm, or ruling out a retinal disease, including eye melanoma (cancer) To figure out if an eye treatment is working.
What are the side effects of fluorescein angiography?
- The most common reactions associated with the fluorescein dye are nausea, vomiting, or hives. 3 Some people may also experience dry mouth, a metallic taste in the mouth, increased salivation (saliva overproduction), sneezing, or an increased heart rate.
How long does a fluorescein angiography take?
- The test takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but you can be in the department for 2 hours. This is because of the preparation before the test and recovery after.
How safe is fluorescein angiography?
- Oral fluorescein angiography is a safe, well-tolerated, and adequate technique to evaluate macular edema. It is more sensitive than SD-OCT in cases of retinovascular diseases but can fail to detect macular edema in cases of macular holes.
How do you feel after an angiogram?
- After an angiogram, your groin or arm may have a bruise and feel sore for a day or two. You can do light activities around the house but nothing strenuous for several days. Your doctor may give you specific instructions on when you can do your normal activities again, such as driving and going back to work.
What is the earliest phase of retinal circulation in fluorescein angiography?
- The retinal circulation appears 1-3 seconds later (11-18 seconds after injection). The early arteriovenous phase describes the filling of the retinal arteries, arterioles and capillaries. This is followed by the late arteriovenous phase or laminar venous phase as the dye fills the veins in a laminar pattern.
How many minutes separate the early and late series in fluorescein angiography?
- Arteriovenous phase: Laminar flow in the veins – the walls of the veins are bright while the center of the vein is still dark. By 30 seconds = Venous phase: Complete filling of the veins. 30 seconds – 10 minutes = Late phase: Dye has recirculated.
Which part of the body does angiography deal with?
- Common types include: coronary angiography – to check the heart and nearby blood vessels. cerebral angiography – to check the blood vessels in and around the brain. pulmonary angiography – to check the blood vessels supplying the lungs.
What types of diseases of the eye are best diagnosed using an angiogram?
FA is often recommended to find and diagnose eye diseases including:
