Fluorescein angiography (flɔːˈrɛsɪn ˌændʒɪˈɒɡrəfɪ) is a diagnostic test that uses a special dye, called fluorescein, and a camera to visualize the blood flow in the retina and choroid. The word "fluorescein" is pronounced /flɔːˈrɛsɪn/, with the stressed syllable being "res". The word "angiography" is pronounced /ændʒɪˈɒɡrəfɪ/, with the stressed syllable being "än". The combined spelling of "fluorescein angiography" reflects the two separate words and their respective syllabic stresses. The test is used to diagnose various eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
Fluorescein angiography is a medical imaging technique that involves the use of a fluorescent dye called fluorescein to visualize and study the blood vessels in the back of the eye. It is commonly used in the diagnosis and evaluation of various eye conditions, particularly those affecting the retina and the choroid.
During a fluorescein angiography procedure, the dye is injected into a vein, typically in the arm, and then travels through the bloodstream to the blood vessels in the eye. A specialized camera with filters is used to capture images of the eye as the dye circulates, allowing healthcare professionals to observe the movement of the dye through different blood vessels.
The images obtained through fluorescein angiography can reveal any abnormalities or changes in blood flow within the retina and choroid, providing valuable information about the circulation and overall health of the eye. This diagnostic tool can help identify conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and other vascular disorders.
Fluorescein angiography is a safe and minimally invasive procedure, although some patients may experience mild side effects such as nausea or a temporary yellowish discoloration of the skin and urine from the dye. The procedure is typically performed by ophthalmologists or retinal specialists in a clinical or hospital setting. The gathered information from fluorescein angiography aids in the accurate diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning for various eye diseases and conditions.
The word "fluorescein angiography" consists of two main parts: "fluorescein" and "angiography".
1. Fluorescein: The term "fluorescein" originates from the word "fluorescence". "Fluorescence" is derived from the Latin word "fluere", meaning "to flow". It was first used by Sir George Gabriel Stokes in the 1850s to describe the phenomenon of certain substances emitting light when exposed to radiation. The suffix "-in" is added to "fluoresce" to form "fluorescein", which refers to a specific fluorochrome or fluorescent dye.
2. Angiography: The term "angiography" is derived from two Greek words: "angeion" meaning "vessel" and "graphein" meaning "to write" or "to record".