Download Fluorescein (FFA) and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography

Paediatric information
Fluorescein (FFA) and
indocyanine green (ICG)
angiography
What is fluorescein (FFA) and
indocyanine green (ICG) angiography?
These are simple diagnostic tests, which
involve the injection of fluorescein (yellow)
dye and/or indocyanine green into the
bloodstream via a vein in the hand or arm,
followed by a series of photographs taken
over several minutes.
Your child can take all of their current
medication as normal on the day of the
procedure. They may also eat and drink
as normal.
An FFA test gives the doctor more
information about the condition of your
child’s retina, the light-sensitive layer, at
the back of their eye.
You will be asked about their general
health. Please tell us if they have any
history of chest or breathing problems. It
is also very important to inform us of any
allergies they may have, particularly to
shellfish, iodine, medications, fluorescein,
sulpha drugs or latex.
The ICG test provides information about
the choroid, the layer of blood vessels,
underneath the retina. These tests will
help the doctor to consider and then
discuss with your child and yourself the
best treatment options.
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City Road, London EC1V 2PD
Phone: 020 7253 3411
www.moorfields.nhs.uk
What does the test involve?
On arrival at the outpatient department,
your child’s vision may be tested.
Your child’s pupils will then be dilated with
eye drops. These drops might blur their
vision.
You will have the procedure explained to
you and you will be asked to sign a
consent form to agreeing to the
procedure. Please feel free to ask any
questions at this point.
Once your child’s pupils are dilated, they
will be taken into the fluorescein
photography room. You will be allowed to
accompany them during the procedure.
Your child will be required to sit in front of
a camera and some photos will be taken
of the eye before the procedure begins.
A cannula (small plastic tube) will be
inserted into a vein (usually in the back of
their hand). This should be relatively
painless as they will be given some
numbing cream beforehand.
The fluorescein dye and/or indocyanine
green will be injected into the cannula
while a series of photos are taken as the
dye enters the vessels at the back of their
eye.
The whole test takes about 10-30
minutes, but please expect to be in the
department for one to two hours to allow
for the necessary pre- and post-test
checks.
It is very important for your child to keep
their eye in the position requested by the
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City Road, London EC1V 2PD
Phone: 020 7253 3411
www.moorfields.nhs.uk
photographer. This will be clearly
explained during the procedure.
Are there any side effects?
The fluorescein dye will give the skin a
yellow tinge and your child’s urine will be
bright yellow for one or two days. The ICG
procedure does not lead to any
permanent changes to skin or urine
colour.
They might experience a hot flush
sensation as the dye is injected. One in 10
patients may feel nauseous or short of
breath, or develop a brief rash, but this
rarely lasts for more than a few seconds.
There is a very remote risk of a severe
allergic reaction to these and any
intravenous drugs causing shock and
collapse. For this reason, an emergency
resuscitation team is always available.
After the fluorescein angiogram
The cannula will be left in their hand for
half an hour. Once we are certain that
they have not suffered any adverse
reactions, it will be removed.
The doctor will discuss the results with
you and make recommendations for any
treatment they might need.
Author: Dr Matthew Allen, consultant anaesthetist
Revision number:1
Approved: April 2016
Review date: April 2018
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust
City Road, London EC1V 2PD
Phone: 020 7253 3411
www.moorfields.nhs.uk
Moorfields Direct telephone helpline
Phone: 020 7566 2345
Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm
Saturday, 9am-5pm
Information and advice on eye conditions
and treatments from experienced
ophthalmic-trained nurses.
Patient advice and liaison service
(PALS)
Phone: 020 7566 2324 or 020 7566 2325
Email: [email protected]
Moorfields’ PALS team provides
confidential advice and support to help
you with any concerns you may have
about the care we provide, guiding you
through the different services available at
Moorfields. The PALS team can also
advise you on how to make a complaint.
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City Road, London EC1V 2PD
Phone: 020 7253 3411
www.moorfields.nhs.uk
Your right to treatment within 18 weeks
Under the NHS constitution, all patients
have the right to begin consultant-led
treatment within 18 weeks of being
referred by their GP. Moorfields is
committed to fulfilling this right, but if you
feel that we have failed to do so, please
contact our patient advice and liaison
service (PALS) who will be able to advise
you further (see above). For more
information about your rights under the
NHS constitution, visit
www.nhs.uk/choiceinthenhs.