This test is Commonly used to manage eye disorders. Eye doctor may recommend it to confirm a diagnosis, determine and provide appropriate treatment, or monitor the condition of the blood vessels in the retina.
Why recommend the FFA test ?
Eye doctors may recommend a fundus fluorescein angiography to determine if the blood vessels in the retina of the eye are getting adequate blood flow.
It can also be used to help optometrist and ophthalmologists to diagnose eye disorders, like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration occurs in the macula of the eye , Macula is the center part of the eye and retina and performs highly clear and sharp vision to the eye. Sometimes, the disorder worsens to the macula so slowly that you may not notice any change at all. In some people, it causes vision to deteriorate rapidly and blindness in both eyes may occur.
Because the disease destroys your focused, central vision, it prevents you from:
• seeing objects clearly
• driving
• reading
• watching television
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by long-term diabetes and results in permanent damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye, or the retina. The retinaconverts images and light that enter the eye into signals, which are then transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve.
There are two types of this disorder:
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which occurs in the initial stages of the disease.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which develops later and is more severe.
Eye doctors may also recommend fundus fluorescein angiography to determine if treatments for these eye disorders are working.
Preparation for the Test
Patients need to arrange for someone to pick you up and drive you home since your pupils will be dilated for up to 12 hours after the test.
Be sure to tell the eye doctor before the test about any prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements you’re taking. You should also tell your doctor if you’re allergic to iodine.
If you wear contact lenses, you’ll need to take them out before the test.
How Is the Test perform ?
Eye doctor will perform the test by inserting standard dilation eye drops into your eyes. These make your pupils dilate. They’ll then ask you to rest your chin and forehead against the camera’s supports so that your head remains still throughout the test.
Eye doctor will then use the camera to take many pictures of fundus. Once eye doctor has completed the first batch of pictures, they’ll give you a small injection into a vein in your arm. This injection contains a dye called fluorescein. Eye doctor will then continue to take pictures as the fluorescein moves through the blood vessels into your retina.
What Are the Risks of the Test ?
The most common reaction is nausea and vomiting also experience dry mouth or increased salivation, increased heart rate, and sneezing. In rare cases, serious allergic reaction, which can include the following:
• Swelling of the larynx
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting
• Cardiac arrest
If pregnant women or think you may be, you should avoid having a fluorescein angiography. The risks to an unborn fetus are not known.
Understanding the Results
Normal Results
If eye is healthy, the blood vessels will have normal shape and size. There will be no blockages or leaks in the vessels.
Abnormal Results
Abnormal results will reveal a leak or blockage in the blood vessels. This may be due to:
• A circulatory problem
• Cancer
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• High blood pressure
• A tumor
• Enlarged capillaries in the retina
• Swelling of the optic disc
What to Expect After the Test
Eye pupils can remain dilated for up to 12 hours after the test is performed. The fluorescein dye may also cause your urine to be darker and orange for a few days.