Eye Angiogram
Angiography, Fluorescein, Fluorescein Angiography, Fluorescein Dye Test, Indocyanine Green Test
How It Is Done
An eye angiogram is done in a hospital or doctor's office by an ophthalmologist.
Before the test, the health professional uses drops to widen, or dilate, your pupils. You will be seated in a chair facing the camera. You should loosen or remove any restrictive clothing around your neck. You will be asked to place your chin on a chin rest and your forehead against a bar to stabilize your head. Keep your teeth closed, open your eyes as widely as you can, and stare straight ahead while breathing and blinking normally. A few photographs will be taken.
An IV needle is then placed in a vein in your arm and the dye is injected. Once injected, it takes about 10 to 15 seconds for the dye to be visible in the blood vessels in your eyes.
As the dye enters the eyes, a rapid series of photos is taken to chart the dye's progress through the blood vessels in your eyes. The dye makes the blood vessels show up clearly in the photos. More photos are taken after most of the dye has passed through the eyes to see whether any of the blood vessels are leaking the dye. If dye leaks out of a blood vessel, it will color the surrounding tissue and fluid in the eye.
The test usually takes about 30 minutes, unless additional photos are needed. If more photos are needed, you will rest for 20 minutes before 5 to 10 more photos are taken. Photos can be taken up to 1 hour after an injection.
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: July 6, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
 | How It Is Done |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
| Results | |
| What Affects the Test | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |
| Credits | |