OCT angiogram

[tallyho]

Hi there has anyone had an OCT angiogram? I am to have one next month to see how the blood vessels are doing in my eyes.

[Hidden]

Hi tallyho

With an angiogram a green dye (fluorosine) is injected into a vein in your arm. As the dye runs through your body and consequently through your vessels in your eyes a scan is done and photos are taken. If there is any leakage the dye will show this up. Mine was done by 2 nurses. I didn't feel anything of the dye, although some people are said to feel slightly nauseated. Your skin will become a bit yellow, but only temporarily. It is usually a simple straightforward procedure.

[tallyho in reply to Hidden]

Hi there it is an octa

optovue.com/octa

[Hidden in reply to tallyho]

I just looked OCTA up on the net and realised it is something new. No dye involved and hence safer. It is a development from the long used Oct, but more powerful and shows up greater detail of the retina and blood vessels. I thought it was odd for you to have an fluorosine angiogram done at this point, because that was usually done during the initial diagnosis tests. So here I have learnt something new. Thank you for that, tallyho.

[2468G]

Hi tallyho.

I had a fluorescein angiogram last January as part of my diagnosis procedure.

They check your blood pressure before it takes place then you have a needle put in the back of your hand where they will put dye in which enables them to see the vessels clearly. You then sit in front of a camera where they take dozens of photos of the back of your eye extremely quickly. They then put the dye in your hand and take more pictures.

It's a quick process and painless but some people have side effects from the dye. It can make you feel nauseous or faint. It made me light headed and slightly nauseous so the nurse sat me in front of a fan afterwards and bought me some water. I quickly recovered and went home shortly after. Most people are fine though so don't worry about it. I'm sure you will be fine. My blood pressure was a little low that day which was probably why it affected me.

Good luck with it. G

[tallyho]

Ah this is different no dye used it’s an OCT angiography.

[tallyho in reply to tallyho]

Yes indeed it is very new.

[2468G]

Ah I see. Sorry for rabbiting on then. Lol. Perhaps someone else will find my ramblings informative. Hope another site user has the relevant info for you. G

[tallyho in reply to 2468G]

Honestly grateful for your reply. I tried to change the heading to angiography but it would not let me. Apparently OCT angiography is safer and a lot quicker so more hospitals are using them now.

[2468G in reply to tallyho]

That's good to hear tallyho because the honest truth is I passed out and was a hideous shade of yellow for the rest of the day and felt a bit strange until the next morning . Glad to hear you are having a safer process. G

[ironbrain]

I've not had one, but read about them. They must have the latest and most expensive equipment where you are.

[Hidden]

OCT and angiograms are two different things.

OCT is Ocular Coherence Tomography. You simply place your chin in a rest and stare at a blue dot whilst a red line runs down your vision, it takes 4-5 secs and produces a very detailed layered view of the internal structure of the eye accurate down to a few microns.

An angiogram with or without fluorescene dye is a photograph of the inside of the eye concentrating on blood vessels.

Both are utterly painless.

[tallyho in reply to Hidden]

Hi there. There is such thing an OCT angiography it is a very new technique to see the blood vessels more closely. Hospitals used to to do FA ( Fluroscein Angiography) but don’t so much now because using the dye had some side affects So a new machine was invented and a OCTA is now the test they do. i know about normal OCT s as I have them done every month. Just wondered if anyone else had one done as they are so new. I had an FA done years ago.

[tallyho in reply to Hidden]

optovue.com/octa

[Hidden]

Thanks, that is news to me.

I have had approx 100 OCTs at 4 week intervals but not encountered one of those. I know there are several new and advanced machines on the way in fact, I am on a working party involved with an ultra fast, v high definition 3D scanner which will produce results even if a patient moves their eye or blinks!

[tallyho in reply to Hidden]

Wow that sounds very exciting

[2468G in reply to Hidden]

Great to hear of these new advances. G

[StokeySue]

If it's based on OCT, I had a routine OCT two weeks ago

Just the usually thing of sitting with a chin on a rest and gazing where you are told to, don't suppose this will feel any different

[Driveninsane72]

Hi I have had this a few times it makes me feel really warm and some say it can feel like you peed yourself but unless your allergic to the dye unknowingly then you will be fine.