Our Services Ophthalmologic Tests Fundus Fluorescein Angiogram (FFA) and Indocyano Green Angiogram (ICGA)

These tests are useful for investigation of fundal pathology as well as retinal and choroidal blood circulation, e.g. diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases and other chorioretinal diseases.

Fundus Fluorescein Angiogram (FFA)

• The Procedure
  
  • Dilating eye drops are administered for pupil dilation before the test.
  • When the pupils are dilated, a few fundus photos are taken.
  • Medical staff will insert a small needle into antecubital vein and infuse a water-soluble fluorescein dye intravenously.
  • As the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina, a series of photos will be taken rapidly in the beginning and subsequently every 1 minute. The process takes approximately 15 minutes.
  
  
• Risk and Complication
  
  • Allergic reaction (hives and itching).
  • Nausea, vomit, headache, syncope, and hypotension.
  • Taste of metal on the tongue.
  • Vasovagal reaction (feeling of dizziness, cold sweating and discomfort due to vasodilatation).
  • Extravasation of fluorescein may cause sloughing of the skin, subcutaneous granuloma, superficial phlebitis and arm pain etc.
  • Extremely rare complications:
    a. Cardiac arrest, basilar artery ischemia, severe shock, convulsions, thrombophlebitis.
    b. Epileptic seizure, inadvertent arterial injection, nerve palsy, pyrexia, etc.
    c. Anaphylaxis including laryngeal edema, and life-threatening bronchospasm.
  
  
• After the Procedure
  
  • Skin and urine may appear slightly more yellowish than usual after the FFA, and this situation will disappear in approximately 2 days. High water intake during this period is recommended.
  • Near vision will be blurry for 5-8 hours after the pupils are dilated. Avoid driving or operating machinery.
  • Return to eye clinic or consult eye doctor immediately if you experience sudden onset of eye pain or headache, increased blurring of vision, seeing halos, nausea or vomit, or red and swollen eyes within 1 day.
  
  
• Follow up Examination
  You must return to your doctor for follow up as instructed.

Indocyano Green Angiogram (ICGA)

• The Procedure
  
  • Dilating eye drops are administered for pupil dilation before the test.
  • When the pupils are dilated, a few fundus photos are taken.
  • Medical staff will insert a small needle into antecubital vein and infuse a water-soluble indocyanine green dye intravenously.
  • As the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina and choroid, a series of photos will be taken rapidly in the beginning, and subsequently every 3 minutes. This process takes approximately 30 minutes.
  
  
• Risk and Complication
  
  • Allergic reactions include nausea, urticaria, vomit and fever.
  • Numbness of lips.
  • Congestion of the eye and lid swelling.
  • Backache and local skin necrosis.
  • Vasovagal reaction (feeling of dizziness, cold sweating and discomfort due to vasodilatation).
  • Serious adverse reaction e.g. anaphylactic shock is extremely rare.
  
  
• After the Procedure
  
  • Near vision will be blurry for 5-8 hours after the pupils are dilated. Avoid driving or operating machinery.
  • Return to eye clinic or consult eye doctor immediately if you experience sudden onset of eye pain or headache, increased blurring of vision, seeing halos, nausea or vomit, or red and swollen eyes within 1 day.
  
  
• Follow up Examination
  You must return to your doctor for follow up as instructed.