See Also: Fluorescein angiography(health)
fluorescein angiography(medicine)
Angiography, fluorescein(health)
fluorescein(dictionary)
fluorescein(medicine)
Fluorescein(health)
fluorescein sodium(medicine)
fluorescein isothiocyanate(medicine)
fluorescein eye examination(medicine)
Fluorescein angiograms(health)

Fluorescein angiography (health)


Fluorescein Angiography is a diagnostic test used to assess pathology that affects the retina, choroid and/or iris of the eye. Fluorescein angiography is used to assess the blood flow of the eye and abnormal states are referred to as either hyperfluorescence or hypofluorescence relative to the normal amount of fluorescence. Fluorescein angiography involves an intravenous injection of sodium Fluorescein ( a dye) into the antecubical vein ( a vein in the arm) and then photographs are taken of the eye as the dye enters and leaves the blood system of the eye. The doctor will evaluate prefilling ( i.e., what the retina and choroid look like before the dye enters the eye), transit ( i.e., first passage of dye through the retina and choroid), recirculation (i.e., fluoroscien has become equally distributed throughout the eye and then starts to circulate through again) and later phase ( i.e., as the fluoroscien is eliminated from the body by the kidneys). The test lasts about 30 minutes. Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects, occurring in about 5% or less of patients. Severe side effects ( e.g., anaphylaxis, death) have been reported but are very rare.