17 July 2019
 Categories: , Blog

A fluorescein angiography test is a diagnostic medical procedure performed by an eye doctor to evaluate the back of your eye or retina. Your eye doctor may recommend a fluorescein angiogram to confirm a suspected diagnosis, to evaluate the condition of the blood vessels behind your eye, and to help develop a treatment plan. Here are some diseases a fluorescein angiogram can help your physician diagnose, how to prepare for your test, how it's administered, and what to expect after your test:

Diagnosing Eye Diseases

If your eye doctor suspects macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, they'll order a fluorescein angiogram to take pictures of the blood vessels in your eye. Macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of vision loss in older adults. It causes the destruction of the cells in your macula and causes central vision loss.

In addition to unclear central vision, macular degeneration often causes straight lines to look curvy or crooked. Your eye doctor may also order fluorescein angiography to confirm the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. People who have poorly managed or longstanding diabetes may develop this condition, which causes blood vessel damage behind your retina, often the result of poor circulation and blood flow. If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may lose your vision, however, laser surgery may help reduce this risk. 

Preparation & Administration 

While you won't need to do anything special before your test, you will need to ask someone to take you home from the doctor's office after your test. Your pupils will be dilated for your test, which will make your vision blurry for hours after your fluorescein angiogram. You will also need to tell your physician about any medications or dietary supplements you are taking. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you have an allergy to iodine. If you do, you may have an allergic reaction to the fluorescein dye used in the test. 

Before the administration of your test, your physician will instill drops into your eyes to dilate your pupils. Your head will then be properly placed into the chin rest so that your forehead rests comfortably against the forehead strap. This is to stabilize your head so that it doesn't move while your doctor is performing the test and taking pictures of your eye. You will then be given an injection of fluorescein dye so that the physician can watch your blood vessels as the dye moves through them. Pictures of your eye will be taken both before the dye has been injected, and after. 

What To Expect After Your Test

While most people sail through a fluorescein angiogram without any problems, side effects from the dye can occur. The most common side effects include nausea and vomiting, however, in rare cases, hypersalivation, a fast heart rate, runny nose, and sneezing can occur. Serious allergic reactions rarely occur, especially in those who have allergies to iodine. A serious allergic reaction may cause swelling of your tongue, lips, and throat, itching, hives, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, and cardiovascular problems.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction to the fluorescein dye, you will receive emergency medical attention as soon as possible. Normal reactions after a fluorescein angiogram include temporary tinted vision and yellow skin as a result of the injected colored dye, and bright orange-colored urine. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your fluorescein angiography, you can talk to resources such as Robert L. Evans, OD. When you have all the information you need about your medical test, you can then make an informed decision about whether or not it is appropriate for you.