Fluorescein Angiogram

Photo by Joseph W. Warnicki The University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Institute

Diabetes is a progressive disease caused by insufficient secretion of insulin. When the retina is affected, the eye disease is called diabetic retinopathy. This color fundus photograph shows small red hemorrhages, vascular irregularities, and whitish exudates which are indicative of the disease.

Photo by Joseph W. Warnicki The University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Institute

A dye called Sodium Fluorescein is injected into the blood stream through a vein in the arm. Special filters are placed in the light path, and in front of the film to permit only the fluorescent dye to be seen as it passes through the vessels in the retina. This angiogram of the patient illustrated above demonstrates abnormal leakage of dye which is common in diabetic retinopathy.