fluoresceiinangiograafia

Fluorescein angiography is a diagnostic imaging procedure used primarily in ophthalmology to visualize the circulation of the retina and choroid. The technique involves intravenous injection of sodium fluorescein, a fluorescent dye that absorbs blue light and emits green light. As the dye circulates through the ocular vasculature, a series of photographs are taken with a special camera that blocks visible light. These images capture the dynamic passage of the dye, allowing detailed assessment of retinal blood flow, leakage, and the integrity of the blood‑retina barrier.

The test is commonly performed to evaluate conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, vasculitis, and age‑related macular degeneration. By analysing the timing and intensity of dye fluorescence, clinicians can detect retinal ischemia, microaneurysms, and neovascular membranes. The procedure is typically well tolerated, with minor side effects including nausea, rash, or syncope being rare.

Standard protocol entails a baseline image acquisition followed by sequential imaging at intervals ranging from seconds to minutes, depending on the clinical indication. Fluorescein injections are contraindicated in patients with severe allergy to phenolic compounds or in those with known hypersensitivity to the dye. Recent advances include the use of infrared fluorescein and spectral domain imaging, which enhance resolution and provide deeper tissue penetration.

In addition to morphological assessment, fluorescein angiography provides quantitative data on vascular leakage and perfusion deficits. These metrics are valuable for guiding therapeutic decisions such as intravitreal anti‑vascular endothelial growth factor therapy or laser photocoagulation. The procedure remains a cornerstone in retinal vascular imaging, complementing other modalities like optical coherence tomography and adaptive optics.