Test Overview
An eye angiogram uses fluorescein dye and a camera to take pictures
and evaluate the blood flow through the vessels in the back of the eye ().
See a picture of the
.
During an eye angiogram, the dye is injected
into a vein in your arm. Once injected, it takes about 10 to 15 seconds to
circulate through your body. As the dye enters the blood vessels in your eyes,
a series of photos are taken to chart the dye's progress. More pictures are
taken after most of the dye has passed through your eyes to see if any of it
has leaked out of the blood vessels. Any dye that leaks out of the blood
vessels will color the tissues and fluid in the eye. Filters in the camera
allow the areas colored by the dye to show up in the photos.
A
dye called indocyanine green is better at finding some types of eye problems
and may be used instead of fluorescein. It allows the doctor to see whether the
blood vessels underneath the retina are leaking.
Unlike other
angiogram procedures, an eye angiogram is not an
procedure, so you are not exposed to any
radiation.