Fluorescein Angiogram

What is a fluorescein angiogram is used for?

Fluorescein injection contains fluorescein sodium. Fluorescein possesses the property of “fluorescence”, which allows your Doctor to see the blood moving through the small blood vessels at the back of your eye and assists your Doctor in determining if areas of your eye are damaged or unhealthy.

As fluorescein injection aids your Doctor in making a diagnosis it is known as a “diagnostic agent”.

Before undergoing a fluorescein angiogram

Let your Doctor know if any of the following applies to you before fluorescein injection is used:

• You are allergic to fluorescein sodium, or to any of the other ingredients in Fluorescein injection.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have a history of allergies (eg hay fever or asthma).
• You have previously had a reaction to any injected fluorescein.
• You are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy at a Pharmacy or Health Food Shop without a Doctor’s prescription.

What happens during a fluorescein angiogram?

The dose of fluorescein injection will be determined and administered by your Doctor. The usual adult dose of fluorescein injection is 250 mg. The usual dose for a child is based on the child’s weight.

Before using fluorescein injection your Doctor will put some eye drops in your eyes that will open (dilate) your pupils. This allows your Doctor to see the back of your eyes clearly.

Your Doctor will usually inject fluorescein into your arm. It normally takes between 9 and 14 seconds for the fluorescein to reach the back of your eyes.

Following the injection of fluorescein your Doctor will turn the lights off and take a series of photographs of the back of your eyes. These photographs will allow your Doctor to study the movement of blood through the vessels at the back of your eyes.