Fluorescein Angiography (FFA)
Overview
Fluorescein angiography is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses intravenous sodium fluorescein dye and a specialized camera to photograph retinal and choroidal vasculature in sequential phases. It is a cornerstone of retinal diagnostics.
Mechanism / How It Works
- Details to be added from dedicated source â dye properties, excitation/emission wavelengths, phases (choroidal flush, arterial, AV, venous, late/recirculation), normal vs abnormal patterns
FFA in Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm
From the RAM source, FFA shows:
- Saccular (sac-like) aneurysms: fill in the mid-to-late phase â pooling of dye within the outpouching
- Fusiform (spindle-shaped) aneurysms: fill in the early phase â dye follows the dilated vessel segment
- Vessel wall staining is typical
- Late leakage may be present, indicating active exudation
- Helpful when hemorrhage obscures the aneurysm on fundoscopy
Indications & Contraindications
- Details to be expanded â full indications list, contraindications (allergy, pregnancy, renal impairment), adverse reactions
Related
- oct-interpretation â complementary imaging modality
- retinal-arterial-macroaneurysm â FFA is key for diagnosis and classification
- laser-photocoagulation â FFA guides treatment targeting
Sources
- macroaneurysm-eyewiki (FFA findings in RAM only)
Gap: This page covers FFA only in the RAM context. Needs a comprehensive source on FFA technique, phases, normal patterns, and interpretation of hyperfluorescence/hypofluorescence across all retinal conditions.