FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY (FA)

an imaging test to view the blood vessels in your retina

This test is done to see if there is proper blood flow in the blood vessels in the two layers in the back of your eye (the retina and choroid). It can also be used to diagnose problems in the eye or to determine how well certain eye treatments are working.

A fluorescein eye stain test is usually ordered if your doctor suspects you have damage on your cornea or foreign objects in your eye. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor might do this test to see whether the contacts are damaging your cornea.

Detects:

Age-related macular degeneration. An inherited condition that leads to vision loss in people over the age of 50.

  Cystoid macular edema. The center of your retina swells with fluid, causing blurry vision.

  Diabetes-related retinopathy. Weakens the blood vessels in your retina, which can lead to vision loss.

  Macular hole. A hole in the middle of your retina that causes vision changes.

  Macular pucker. A wrinkle in your retina that distorts your vision.

  Ocular melanoma. A type of eye cancer.

  Retinal detachment. When your retina pulls away from the tissues that support it.

  Retinitis pigmentosa. A group of inherited eye diseases that lead to vision changes that range from problems with night vision to loss of the ability to see color or very low vision.