Fundus Fluorescein angiography (FFA) is when
your ophthalmologist uses a special camera to take
pictures of your retina after injecting a dye in your
blood. These pictures help your ophthalmologist
get a better look at the blood vessels and other
structures in the back of the eye.
WHY IS FFA PERFORMED?
FFA is often recommended to diagnose eye disease
including:
Macular edema (swelling in the retina that
distorts vision)
Diabetic Retinopathy (damaged or abnormal
blood vessels in the eye caused by diabetes)
Macular Degeneration
Vein Occlusion - blockage of veins inside the eye
Ocular Tumors
Leakage in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)
HOW IS FFA PERFORMED?
Your ophthalmologist will put
drops in your eyes to dilate
(widen) your pupil.
A yellowish coloured dye
(fluorescein) is injected in your
arm. It takes about 10–15 seconds
for the dye to travel throughout
your body and reach the blood
vessels in your eye.
As the dye passes through your
retina, a special camera takes
pictures
ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Mild nausea, vomiting
Itching at injection site
Your skin may look a bit yellow for a few hours
Your urine may look orange or
dark yellow for up to 24
hours afterwards. (kidneys
filter the dye)
