Fluorescein Angiography

What is Fluorescein Angiography

Fluorescein Angiography is a diagnostic test to examine the blood vessels in the retina. A small amount of fluorescent dye is injected into your bloodstream, and as the dye circulates through the blood vessels at the back of the eye photographs are taken with a special camera. The fluorescent dye illuminates the blood vessels so your doctor can look for areas of leakage or blockage.

Fluorescein angiography is mainly used to diagnose the following conditions:

Macular degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
Retinal vein occlusion
Retinal artery occlusion

How is fluorescein angiography done?

Eyedrops are used to dilate your pupils to enable the best view of your retina
A small needle is inserted into a vein in your arm.
A fluorescent orange dye is injected into your vein
As the dye circulates through your bloodstream, a series of photographs are taken of the retina to examine the blood vessels and look for areas of leakage or blockage.
The test usually takes 10-30 minutes.

What to expect after the angiogram

Your vision will be slightly blurry due to your dilated pupils. You should not drive home, but ideally have someone with you to take you home.
Your skin may be slightly yellow due to the injected dye. This will return to normal within 24 hours.
Your urine will be orange for the next 24 hours or so due to the dye being excreted through your kidneys.

What are the risks and potential side-effects?

Fluorescein angiography is generally considered a safe and well-tolerated procedure, but there are some possible risks and side-effects.

Some patients may feel a wave of nausea as the dye is injected, though this usually passes quickly.

An allergic reaction is possible, ranging from:

Mild, such as itchy skin. This can occur in about 1-in-100 cases.
Moderate, such as wheezing and respiratory symptoms in about 1-in-1000 cases
Severe, such as full anaphylaxis and even cardiac arrest and death is extremely rare but documented to be around 1-in-200,000 cases.