COMBINED FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY WITH INDOCYANINE GREEN ANGIOGRAPHY

Combined Fluorescein Angiography with Indocyanine Green Angiography is an advanced retinal imaging service that evaluates blood flow in the back of the eye. Doctors use this dual-dye test to study both the retinal and choroidal circulation. As a result, it helps detect, confirm, and monitor many sight-threatening eye diseases with greater precision.

WHAT THIS TEST DOES

This procedure uses two safe medical dyes injected through a small vein in the arm. First, fluorescein dye highlights the retinal vessels. Next, indocyanine green dye outlines the deeper choroidal vessels. A special camera then takes rapid images as the dyes circulate. Therefore, your eye specialist can see leakage, blockage, abnormal vessel growth, or hidden lesions that routine examination may miss.

WHEN DOCTORS RECOMMEND THIS SERVICE

Your ophthalmologist may advise this combined angiography when standard scans are not enough. In particular, it supports diagnosis and treatment planning for the following conditions:

1. Age-related macular degeneration
2. Diabetic retinopathy and macular edema
3. Central serous chorioretinopathy
4. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
5. Retinal vascular occlusions
6. Unexplained retinal or choroidal bleeding

HOW THE PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED

First, the pupils are dilated using eye drops so the retina can be viewed clearly. Then, a trained staff member inserts a small intravenous line to deliver the dyes. Immediately afterward, a sequence of photographs is taken over several minutes. You simply sit and look at a target light during image capture. Most sessions finish within 20 to 30 minutes.

WHAT YOU MAY FEEL DURING THE TEST

Most patients tolerate the test well. You may notice a brief warm sensation or a metallic taste right after dye injection. In addition, your skin or urine may appear slightly yellow or green for several hours. Because dilation is required, vision will stay blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours, so driving is not advised right away.

SAFETY AND RISK INFORMATION

Both dyes have long safety records in ophthalmic imaging. However, mild nausea or temporary discomfort can occur. Rarely, allergic reactions develop. For this reason, trained medical personnel and emergency medicines remain available during the procedure. You should inform the clinic about asthma, prior dye reactions, kidney disease, pregnancy, or current medications before testing.

WHY COMBINED ANGIOGRAPHY MATTERS

Using both fluorescein and indocyanine green provides a more complete vascular map than either test alone. Consequently, your doctor can localize disease more accurately and choose the most effective treatment strategy. Early and precise detection often leads to better visual outcomes and more targeted care.