Intravenous Fluorescein Angiography (IVFA)
What is Intravenous Fluorescein Angiography (IVFA)?
Intravenous fluorescein angiography (IVFA) is a diagnostic test used to examine the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. A special dye called fluorescein is injected into a vein in your arm, and a special camera takes pictures of the blood flow in your retina as the dye passes through. IVFA testing is an insured service under OHIP.
Why do I need an IVFA?
Your doctor has recommended an IVFA to:​
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Help diagnose and evaluate various retinal conditions, including:
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Diabetic retinopathy
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Macular degeneration
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Retinal vein occlusion
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Other vascular diseases of the retina
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Determine the extent of the disease
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Guide treatment decisions
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Monitor the effectiveness of treatment
What are the risks and side effects?
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IVFA is generally a safe procedure, but like any medical test, it has some potential risks and side effects.
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Common side effects:
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Temporary nausea (usually lasts only a few minutes)
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A warm feeling during the injection
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Yellowish discoloration of the skin (lasts a few hours)
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Discoloration of the urine (lasts up to 24-48 hours)
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Blurry vision from the dilating eye drops (lasts several hours)
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Less common side effects:
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Itching or hives
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Fainting
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Rare but serious complications:
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Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
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Extravasation (leakage of dye into surrounding tissue)
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Please inform your doctor and the technician if you have any allergies, especially to fluorescein dye, or any other medical conditions.
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If you think you may be pregnant, please inform the doctor and the technician.
How do I prepare for the IVFA?
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You may eat and drink normally before the test, unless you are given other instructions.
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Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking.
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You may want to bring someone with you to drive you home, as your vision may be blurred after the procedure due to the dilating eye drops.
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Wear comfortable clothing.
What to expect during the IVFA?
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Pupil dilation: Eye drops will be instilled to dilate your pupils. This may take about 15-30 minutes.
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Dye injection: A small needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm to inject the fluorescein dye.
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Image capture: A special camera will take a series of photographs of your retina as the dye travels through the blood vessels. You may see flashes of light. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.
What to expect after the IVFA?
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Your vision may be blurry for a few hours due to the dilating eye drops. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision returns to normal.
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Your skin may appear slightly yellow, and your urine will be orange for up to 24-48 hours. This is normal and will go away as your body eliminates the dye.
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Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the dye from your system.
When will I get my results?
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Your doctor will review the images and discuss the results with you at your follow-up appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor or the technician.