Fluorescin angiography or imaging of the eye blood vessels with colouring agent
Fluorescin angiography (FAG) is a diagnostic procedure that maps the retina within a few minutes by taking a series of pictures of the eye and enables pathological processes to be detected, including pathological changes in blood vessels, haematomas, oedema and neoplasms.
During this procedure a colouring agent is injected into the patient’s vein in the arm that is delivered via the bloodstream into the blood vessels of the eye, and visualises possible diseases of the eye. Fluorescin is a bright yellow colouring agent that causes yellowish discoloration of the skin for a few hours. Since fluorescin is excreted via the kidneys, urine will also have a bright yellow colour for 24-36 hours after the investigation.
The following adverse effects have been reported after the use of this colouring agent: tiredness, nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach irritation, abstractedness, fainting, itching, and rash. On rare occasions life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) or breathing difficulties (caused by allergic reaction in the airways) have occurred. Very rarely leaking of the colouring agent into subcutaneous tissue has been observed when the venous cannula has moved away from its correct position or in case of a tear of the vein wall. In such a case it is recommended to wear a compressing bandage for a couple of days.
Intravenous fluorescin is usually not given to pregnant women or breast-feeding mothers, although there is no scientific proof that this could have a negative impact on an unborn baby or breast-fed infant.
Description of the procedure: