Ophthalmic fluorescein angiography.

Abstract

Ophthalmic fluorescein angiography is an important clinical procedure used to investigate and document the status of the retinal and choroidal vascular systems. Administered intravenously and followed by rapid-sequence serial photographs, the fluorescein dye produces an angiographic display that is used to visualize and document retinal blood flow dynamics while recording the integrity of the inner blood-retinal barriers and the fine details of the retinal pigment epithelium. It is an important diagnostic and research tool, and has the added advantage of serving to illustrate the manner in which the retina and choroid respond to disease. More visual resolution is possible with this diagnostic procedure than with others, and it is a valuable adjunct to stereoscopic fundus biomicroscopy and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. The procedure has further utility in determining the suitability for laser photocoagulation surgery in macular and retinal vascular disease states. Ophthalmic angiography is also applicable the anterior segment, where it is employed as a research tool in the evaluation of conjunctival, episcleral, corneal, and especially iris blood vessels. Anterior segment use of fluorescein angiography has yet to become a prevalent clinical tool; rather, it currently has more extensive application through research, in developing a better understanding of the nature of anterior segment disorders.