Fundus Fluorescein Angiograph

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

You have been given this leaflet because your eye doctor would like you to have a test called a fundus fluorescein angiography to investigate your eye condition. The leaflet explains the benefits, risks and alternatives, as well as what you can expect when you come to hospital.

What is fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA)?

Fundus Fluorescein Angiography is a procedure that is used to take a series of photographs of the back of the eye (retina). It will give your eye doctor more inofmation about the condition of the back of your eye and is used to decide what treatment is needed. It is not a treatment itself.

For the procedure, you will be given an injection of a yellow-orange dye called fluorescein into a vein in the back of your hand. The dye is carried around by the bloodstream and makes it easier for the blood vessels at the back of your eye to be examined and photographed.

What are the benefits?

This test will give your eye doctor important information to help them understand your eye condition and plan how to treat it.

What are the possible side effects?

You may get:

• Waves of nausea (feel sick) and occasionally be sick 30 – 60 seconds after the injection, especially if you have had a heavy meal before the test. For this reason, it is a good idea not to have a heavy meal before your appointment.
• A strange taste at the back of the mouth after the injection.
• The injection site can be painful if the dye leaks from the vein into the surrounding tissue.
• A mild headache.
• An allergic reaction. Please let the doctor know if you have multiple allergies or have had a severe allergic reaction before.

What are the alternatives?

Your doctor has recommended that a fundus fluorescein angiography is the best way to get a detailed picture of the condition of your eyes. If you do not wish to have the test, we may not be able to monitor the condition of your eyes as accurately.

How long does it take?

The test takes about 20 – 30 minutes, although you will probably be at the hospital for approximately two hours.

What do I need to do before the test?

As your eyes will be blurry after the test, you may want to arrange for someone to come with you. Also, please note that you will not be able to drive home after the test.

What happens at the appointment?

You will need to sign a written consent form giving your permission for the test to be done.

Once you have done this, we will test your vision. Then we will put drops into your eyes to widen the pupils, allowing the camera to view the back of the eye. These drops take approximately 30 minutes to work.

Occasionally, a second dose of drops is needed.

Our medical photographer will start by taking some photographs of your eyes.

The nurse will then give you a small injection of fluorescein dye into a vein in the back of your hand.

The photographer will take a series of flash photographs of your eyes, which will cause some temporary dazzling of your vision.

You will be able to go home a few minutes after the procedure once the nurse has deemed you fit to do so.

How do I get the results?

Your eye doctor will review the FFA and then you will be sent a follow up appointment letter through the post.

What happens after the test?

The eye drops will blur your vision for four to six hours after the test. You will also have some dazzling from the flash photography. Therefore, it is advisable to bring someone with you. Please do not drive.

The dye will make your skin and urine turn yellowish. Your vision may have a yellowish tinge. These will return to normal in a couple of days.

If you have any questions after reading this leaflet:

Please contact the Urgent Referral Clinic team at Russells Hall Hospital Eye Clinic on 01384 456111 ext. 3633 (9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

Eye emergency, out of hours

In case of an eye emergency after the closing hours of the Eye Clinic at

Russells Hall (including weekends and bank holidays), please contact:

Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre on 0121 507 4440

The doctor on call is usually based at the Eye Centre, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham. They may need to call you back, and if necessary, they will arrange for you to visit them.

Note: The information in this booklet is provided for information only. The information found is not a substitute for professional medical advice or care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment. This is only indicative and general information for the procedure. Individual experiences may vary and all the points may not apply to all patients at all times. Please discuss your individual circumstances with your eye doctor.

Author Julia Phillips, Lead Nurse, Advanced Glaucoma Practitioner, NMP

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

FFA/JP/ST/DP/09 2024/v4 – review 06.2027 DGH/PIL/02031