Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA)

Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) is a diagnostic procedure used to examine the blood circulation in the back of the eye, specifically the retina and choroid. The test involves injecting a special yellow-orange dye called fluorescein into a vein in your arm. As the dye travels through your bloodstream to the blood vessels in your eye, a series of rapid photographs are taken using a specialized camera. This allows your ophthalmologist to detect abnormalities in the retinal blood vessels that may not be visible during a standard eye examination.

FFA is invaluable for diagnosing and managing a wide range of retinal conditions. It helps identify leakage from blood vessels, areas of poor circulation, abnormal blood vessel growth, and swelling in the retina. Common conditions diagnosed with FFA include diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, central serous retinopathy, macular edema, and ocular tumors. The test also helps guide treatment decisions such as laser therapy or anti-VEGF injections, and monitors how well these treatments are working over time.

The procedure typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, though you should plan to be at the hospital for approximately 1 to 2 hours for preparation and post-procedure observation. Before the test, your pupils will be dilated with eye drops. A small needle (cannula) is placed in a vein in your arm or hand, and the fluorescein dye is injected. You may feel a brief warm or flushed sensation, and some patients experience mild nausea or a strange metallic taste for a few seconds after the injection. These effects are temporary and usually pass quickly.

After the procedure, your skin may appear slightly yellow and your urine may turn bright yellow or orange for up to 24 to 36 hours as your body eliminates the dye. Your vision will be blurry from the dilation drops for several hours, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home. FFA is generally safe, but patients who are pregnant, have severe allergies to fluorescein, or have certain kidney conditions should inform their doctor beforehand.

At International Eye Hospital, our retina specialists use FFA alongside OCT and other advanced diagnostics to provide comprehensive care for complex retinal diseases, ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.