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Fluorescein Angiography
A
fluorescein angiogram may be necessary
if you have diabetic
retinopathy or
macular degeneration.
It
is a test which allows the blood vessels at the back of
the eye to be photographed as a fluorescent dye is injected into the bloodstream
via your hand or arm.
Why is this procedure necessary?
-
To
help the doctor confirm a diagnosis and establish the cause of reduction in
vision
-
To
provide guidelines for treatment and advise of the prognosis
-
To
allow the doctor to see the exact area for laser treatment, if appropriate
-
To
keep a permanent record of the vessels at the back of the eye and allow
follow-up comparisons
How is this test performed?
-
If you are having this test, your
pupils will be dilated with eye drops.
-
A small injection of yellow dye will
then be injected into a vein in your arm.
-
This dye circulates throughout the body to
the retinal blood vessels so that the network of capillaries (small
blood vessels) can be easily seen.
-
A series of flash photos will be taken to
show the passage of dye through the vessels at the back of your eye. The
doctor will be looking to see whether the dye leaks out of the blood vessels.
-
After your Consultant has seen the results
of this test, the appropriate treatment will be discussed with you.
Are there any side effects?
-
During the injection you may feel warm or
experience a hot flush. This only lasts seconds then disappears.
-
Allergic reactions are rare. During
angiography some 5% of patients will develop nausea but this soon passes.
-
The dye has the effect of yellowing the
skin for approximately 3 -6 hours and urine for 24 - 48 hours. This is
entirely normal.
-
You should avoid prolonged exposure to
bright sunlight during this period.
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If you are diabetic, this makes the
assessment of your glucose level less reliable by discolouring the testing
strips.
-
However. the fluorescein does not affect
your diabetic control and you should continue to monitor your diabetes during
this period.
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Page last updated on
Saturday, 25 June 2005 12:36:22
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