Fluorescein angiography (FA)

The purpose of the imaging is to identify retinal diseases, especially those that involve disturbances in retinal blood supply. Through the imaging, it is possible to diagnose and determine the extent of damage associated with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, vascular obstructions, arterial and venous occlusions, macular degeneration, and more.

The test is performed by injecting a contrast dye into a vein. After the injection, a series of images of the eye's fundus are taken. The dye is eventually eliminated from the body through the kidneys and excreted in the urine, which may cause it to appear as a glowing yellow color.

General Guidelines:

1.  Patients are required to bring a referral letter from an ophthalmologist and an identification card.
2.  Patients should not have a heavy meal before the test, but fasting is not necessary.
3. The examination requires dilation of the pupils, which may cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Therefore, it is recommended to:
   - Bring sunglasses.
   - Arrive at the examination with a companion.
   - Avoid driving after the examination.
4.  Patients with allergies, asthma, or kidney function disorders should consult their family doctor before the test and receive appropriate medical advice accordingly.
5. In cases of allergy or asthma, a pre-medication regimen (prescribed by the family doctor) should be followed:
   - 13 hours before the test: T. Prednisone 40mg.
   - 7 hours before the test: T. Prednisone 40mg.
   - 1 hour before the test: T. Prednisone 40mg.
   - 1 hour before the test: T. Loratadine 10mg (or other antihistamine).
6. After the examination, if any of the following symptoms occur: rash, itching, shortness of breath, patients should immediately seek medical attention.

Side effects of the injection:

For about 24 hours after the injection, the skin color may appear yellowish-orange, and the urine may appear orange. These colors will fade after a few days.

Most side effects of the fluorescein injection are mild and do not require any treatment. In about 10% of cases, patients may experience mild nausea starting a few seconds after the injection and lasting for about two minutes. In rarer cases, nausea may be accompanied by vomiting. These side effects pass without any treatment. To reduce the likelihood of nausea and/or vomiting, it is recommended to avoid eating two hours before the injection.

In even rarer cases, a temporary drop in blood pressure may occur, which usually does not require any treatment. Another side effect, which occurs in about 14% of cases, is skin rash or redness accompanied by itching. This rash can resolve without treatment or may require antihistamine medication.

There are also more severe side effects, although very rare:

- In 1 out of 3,800 injections, severe breathing difficulty may occur, leading to the development of pulmonary edema.
- In 1 out of 5,800 injections, cardiac complications such as chest pain, heart attack, or cardiac arrest may occur.
- In 1 out of 220,000 injections, a rare case of death has been reported.