Fluorescein angiography: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P 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.

T How the Test is Performed
P 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.
P 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.

T How to Prepare for the Test
P You will need someone to drive you home. Your vision may be blurry for up to 12 hours after the test.
P You may be told to stop taking medicines that could affect the test results. Tell your provider about any allergies, particularly reactions to iodine.
P You must sign an informed consent form. You must remove contact lenses before the test.
P Tell the provider if you may be pregnant.

T How the Test will Feel
P When the needle is inserted, some people feel slight pain. Other others feel only a prick or sting. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
P 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.
P The dye will cause your urine to be darker. It may be orange in color for a day or two after the test.

T Why the Test is Performed
P 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).
P It can also be used to diagnose problems in the eye or to determine how well certain eye treatments are working.

T Normal Results
P A normal result means the vessels appear a normal size, there are no new abnormal vessels, and there are no blockages or leakages.

T What Abnormal Results Mean
P If blockage or leakage is present, the pictures will map the location for possible treatment.
P 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
P The test may also be done if you have:
- Retinal detachment
- Retinitis pigmentosa

T Risks
P 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
P Serious allergic reactions are rare.

T Considerations
P The test results are harder to interpret in people with cataracts.

T Alternative Names
P Retinal photography; Eye angiography; Retinopathy - fluorescein

T Images
- Retinal dye injection

T References
P Maguire JI, Federman JL. Intravenous fluorescein angiography. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology 2013 edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 3, chap 4.
P Velez-Montoya R, Olson JL, Mandava N. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 6.6.

T Review Date 8/20/2016
P Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

