Retinal Diseases, Laser Procedures and Surgery
Diagnostic Tests
About Fluorescein Angiography
What is Fluorescein Angiography?
Fluorescein angiography, sometimes called retinal angiography, is an imaging test that lets your retina specialist see the network of blood vessels and delicate tissues at the back of your eye.
The detailed photographs it produces help the physicians at Florida Retina Institute identify a wide range of retinal conditions and monitor how your eyes change from one visit to the next.
What Happens During a Fluorescein Angiography Test?
Your fluorescein angiography will be performed in one of our offices, and the imaging portion of your visit typically takes under 30 minutes. Here is how the test unfolds:
• A member of our clinical team places dilating drops in your eyes, widening your pupils so the camera has a clear view of your retina.
• A yellow dye called fluorescein is then injected into a vein, most often in your arm.
• Within roughly 10 to 15 seconds, the dye reaches the circulation of your eye.
• As it flows through, the fluorescein illuminates the vessels of your retina and choroid, making them clearly visible to your doctor.
• While the dye moves through these structures, one of our ophthalmic technicians photographs your eye in rapid sequence using a specialized instrument known as a fundus camera.
• If your doctor detects disease, these images act as a precise map showing exactly where treatment should be directed.
Dr. Steven Houston with a patient.
In the photographs shown here, fluorescein dye traveling through the vessels at the back of the eye reveals a macular hole along with areas of active wet macular degeneration.
What Should I Expect After Fluorescein Angiography?
Following your fluorescein angiography, expect several hours of blurred vision and heightened light sensitivity, so we recommend arranging for someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
The camera's bright flashes will temporarily affect your sight, and although that effect fades quickly, the dilating drops will keep your vision blurry for several hours afterward.
Because your dilated eyes will also be unusually sensitive to light, bringing a pair of sunglasses to wear after the test will make the trip home far more comfortable.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Fluorescein Angiography?
Fluorescein angiography is considered a very safe procedure, and the side effects most patients notice are minor and short-lived:
• Because the dye circulates through your entire body, your skin may temporarily look slightly yellow. Normal color returns within a few hours.
• For up to a day after the test, your urine may appear bright yellow or orange as your kidneys clear the dye from your bloodstream.
• If a small amount of dye escapes the vein during the injection, you may notice a brief burning sensation at the site, which typically fades within minutes.
• True allergic reactions to fluorescein are uncommon. Those who are sensitive to the dye may develop itching or hives, and in extremely rare cases, breathing difficulty or other serious complications can occur. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have ever reacted to the yellow dye used in angiography.
If an allergic reaction does occur, your doctor can treat it promptly with medication.
How Does Fluorescein Angiography Help Diagnose Eye Disease?
Fluorescein angiography aids diagnosis by producing detailed photographs of the retina and the blood flow that supports it. Reviewing these images allows your eye doctor to check the retina and surrounding structures for leakage, blockage, or other abnormalities.
After the dye is injected into your arm, it travels through your bloodstream to the vessels of the retina, where a specialized camera captures the glowing pathways it creates. Your doctor uses these findings both to diagnose retinal problems and as a guide for planning and directing your treatment.
The image here shows evidence of a macular hole, made visible by fluorescein dye moving through the retinal blood vessels.
Does the Fluorescein Injection Hurt?
Most patients feel only a brief pinch, similar to having blood drawn, when the fluorescein is injected. Some people notice a warm sensation or a mild, passing wave of nausea as the dye enters the bloodstream, but these feelings fade within moments.
How is Fluorescein Angiography Different From OCT?
Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) provide different but complementary views of the retina. Fluorescein angiography uses an injected dye to show how blood moves through the retinal vessels, revealing leakage and abnormal circulation, while OCT uses light waves — with no injection — to create cross-sectional images of the retina's layers. Your retina specialist may recommend one or both tests depending on your condition.
Is Fluorescein Angiography Covered by your Insurance?
When fluorescein angiography is medically necessary to diagnose or monitor a retinal condition, it is generally covered by most medical insurance plans, including Medicare. Coverage details vary by plan, so we encourage you to review our list of participating insurances or contact our office with questions about your specific benefits.
If your eye doctor has referred you for fluorescein angiography, or you have questions about an upcoming appointment, please contact Florida Retina Institute or call our office to speak with a member of our team. With 21 locations throughout Florida and Georgia, expert retinal care is always close to home.
