Role of Fluorescein angiography in evaluation of posterior segment disorders

Objective: To study the role of fluorescein angiography in the evaluation of posterior segment diseases. Materials & Methods: A hospital based prospective randomized study was done which included 80 patients. Detailed patient history was taken and a thorough ocular and systemic examination was done. All patients were examined by ophthalmoscopy (direct, indirect and slit lamp examination with +90 D lens), followed by fluorescein angiography. Ophthalmoscopic and fluorescein angiography findings were analyzed and categorized. Patients were advised necessary ocular and systemic treatment. Results: 80 cases with posterior segment diseases were analyzed and sub-divided into categories of Diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusive disorders, age related macular degenerations, Central serous chorioretinopathy, inflammatory disorders and miscellaneous conditions. Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) altered the diagnosis in 37.5% of cases and categorized the lesions in all cases. 11% of patients experienced adverse reactions like nausea and vomiting. On statistical analysis, FFA proved to be a far superior diagnostic modality than clinical examination (ophthalmoscopy) in diagnosing fundus pathology. Conclusion: FFA is a superior diagnostic tool and is a necessity for evaluating, localizing and categorization of lesions in Retinal, Macular and Choroidal pathologies