Intraoperative fluorescein angiography.

Abstract

Fluorescein angiography is often beneficial in the evaluation and management of many retinal vascular diseases. However, vitreous blood or opacities may prevent fluorescein studies before pars plana vitrectomy. After vitrectomy, fluorescein angiography may be delayed, creating uncertainty over differentiation of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings. The authors have modified an intraocular light source and operating microscope to perform intraoperative fluorescein angiography easily. Twenty-five patients underwent fluorescein angiography during pars plana vitrectomy. All studies were recorded using a microscope-mounted video camera for intraoperative and postoperative evaluation. In all cases, intraoperative angiography was performed without complication. Indications for intraoperative studies included confirmation of macular edema, delineation of avascular retina, and localization of retinal and choroidal neovascularization. All videotape recordings of procedures were of high quality, allowing easy review and interpretation. Intraoperative fluorescein angiography is an easily performed adjunctive diagnostic procedure that can aid intraoperative evaluation and treatment of selected retinal vascular disorders.