General

Synonym/Acronym:
ocular angiography, FA, FFA, fundus fluorescein angiography, OCT.

Rationale
To assist in detecting vascular changes in the eyes affecting vision related to diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Patient Preparation
There are no food, fluid, or activity restrictions unless by medical direction. Instruct the patient to avoid eye medications (particularly miotic eye drops, which may constrict the pupil, preventing a clear view of the fundus, and mydriatic eye drops in order to avoid instigation of an acute open-angle attack in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma) for at least 1 day prior to the test. Patients with blue or hazel eye color have the option of requesting dilating drops with a lower concentration than standard drops, as blue or hazel eyes dilate faster than brown eyes and will remain dilated for a longer period of time. Ensure that the patient understands that they must refrain from driving until the pupils return to normal (about 4 hr) after the test and has made arrangements to have someone else be responsible for transportation after the test.

Normal Findings

• No leakage of dye from retinal blood vessels
• Normal retina and retinal and choroidal vessels
• No evidence of vascular abnormalities, such as hemorrhage, retinopathy, aneurysms, or obstructions caused by stenosis and resulting in collateral circulation.

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A