Fluorescein angiography using ultra-high speed film

We used a new ultra-high speed black-and-white film, Kodak T-MAX P3200 (ASA 3200), in routine fluorescein angiography on 51 patients and one normal volunteer. The increased film speed permitted a lower flash intensity than with other available films. Photophobia was improved subjectively in 25% of patients who had undergone prior angiography at a higher flash setting. In addition, patient cooperation was improved as evidenced by a decrease in the frequency of photographic artifacts and uninterpretable photographs compared with prior angiograms done using Kodak TRI-X Pan film (ASA 400). T-MAX yielded excellent resolution, but its grain size was slightly greater than that of TRI-X Pan. The use of ultra-high speed film and reduced light intensity may benefit the patient and improve photographic quality in some individuals with photophobia.