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Fluorescein angiography: first step for macular degeneration diagnosis
Author(s) -
SOUBRANE G
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.1332.x
Subject(s) - macular degeneration , drusen , maculopathy , fluorescein angiography , medicine , stage (stratigraphy) , ophthalmology , fluorescein , degeneration (medical) , retinal , retinopathy , fluorescence , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
Purpose To recall that fluorescein angiography (FA) is not only the basis of our knowledge but also mandatory to improve our understanding. Methods Macular disciform lesions have been described and drawed since about 150 years. It is only in 1977 with the advent of fluorescein that the connection with choroidal new vessels (CNV) was performed. The identification of drusen as precursors of CNV was the following stage. With time a number of precursors and clinical forms of macular degeneration were described. Results Currently, the precursors (Age‐Related Maculopathy) are distinguished from the neovasdcular or atrophic complications (Age‐Related Macular Degeneration). The precursors presenting an early hyperfuorescence can be either hard drusen or RPE atrophy distinguished from each other on the late phase of FA.The late hyperfluorescence of soft drusen particularly when confluent requires a careful analysis of the complete FA sequence to ensure the diagnosis. The neovascular stage presents mainly as sub epithelial occult lesions of which the other types develop that display different angiographic behaviours. Specific aspects have been described gradually based on their FA features. The atrophic stage of the disease seems to behave in a stereotyped way but sub goups are presently identified. Conclusion The fluorescein features of the different component of AMD remain the reference for all other more recent imaging technics and helps to understand and differentiate the various aspects of the disease.