[Video fluorescence angiography for studying the hemodynamics of the eye]

The fluorescence angiogram can be recorded continuously with a video camera equipped with a low light amplifier and attached to a 3/4-inch videorecorder. The light intensities are low enough not to disturb the patient. Indocyanine and infrared light are used to examine the choroid. Conventional fundus cameras with 30 degrees or 50 degrees frames can be used. The inflow of the dye may be followed through the arterioles into the precapillary vessels. The capillaries themselves can only be seen as diffuse background fluorescence. Subsequently, the filling of the venules can be seen. The quality of the videofluorescence angiograms also allows nonperfusion areas and leakage of the fluorescein to be identified. Compared to conventional photography, angiography using the videotechnique allows to evaluate the blood flow with electronic procedures. The dilution curves obtained from the image analyzing system are not perfect because of reperfusion of the dye, but the exact time point when the fluorescein appears in the arterioles and venules can be defined and reproduced. From such measurements the arteriovenous passage time (AVP) and the speed of the dye bolus in the vessel (FBG) can be calculated. The clinical value of videofluorescence angiography evaluated with the image analyzing system has been proven in more than 1000 patients suffering from diseases of the retinal circulation. In cases with thromboses of the central retinal veins, occlusion of the central retinal arteries, stenoses of the internal carotid arteries, diabetic retinopathy and arterial hypertension, the extent of the retinal circulation disturbances could be defined by measuring the AVP and the FBG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)