The role of fundus fluorescein angiography in classification and diagnosis of macular diseases: A hospital-based study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims and objectives of this study is to assess the role of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) in classification and diagnosis of macular diseases. SETTING AND DESIGN: This was an 1-year hospital-based study conducted at KLES, Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belagavi, Karnataka. METHODOLOGY: The present study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, KLES, Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belagavi, on 66 participants from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2016. METHODS: An 1-year hospital-based study was conducted on 66 patients who attended the outpatient department. A detailed history was obtained from all the patients and a thorough ocular and systemic examination were done. All the patients were examined by conventional methods of ophthalmoscopy (direct, indirect, and slit lamp examination with +90 D lens) followed by FFA. The clinical ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography findings were analyzed and categorized. RESULTS: Sixty-six participants were analyzed and sub-divided into categories of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), diabetic maculopathy, vascular occlusive disorders, Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR), inflammatory causes, macular dystrophy, and macular hole. FFA confirmed the diagnosis in 62% of the cases and altered the diagnosis in 38% of cases. It also classified the lesions in 64% of cases. CONCLUSION: FFA has played a major role in diagnosing wet ARMD. It was of immense value in diagnosis and classification of diabetic maculopathy cases. It is a superior diagnostic modality in differentiating macular edema from macular ischemia in vascular disorders. It provides definitive diagnosis in CSCR by detecting the exact site of leakage. It is of immense value in the diagnosis of macular edema in inflammatory diseases. FFA played an important role in the diagnosis of macular dystrophy and macular hole cases.