What is Fluorescein Angiography and when is such a procedure indicated?
Fluorescein angiography is photographic record of fluorescein dye (food coloring) passing through the blood vessels of the film or retina of the eye. The dye fluorescein is water soluble and has the property to fluoresce, that is to emit a specific color of light when stimulated. The dye is injected in an arm vein. This image is captured on film or as a digital image and allows examination of the blood vessels of the retina and choroid as well as structures in the retina. In addition, this technique may be used to study iris vessels. Indocyanine green dye (ICG) emits in the infrared range and is used to study the choroidal circulation as it allows penetration of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium by light and thereby increases the visualization of the deep, i.e., choroidal circulation. Side effects are rare but may be severe if an allergy is present. There are few cross allergies with fluorescein angiography but ICG contains iodine and people with an allergy to iodine (shell fish, for exam
