Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

Which dye is commonly used in eye angiography?

1. Indocyanine green

2. Sodium fluorescein

3. Brilliant blue

4. Fluorescein isothiocyanate

The correct answer is: Sodium fluorescein

Sodium fluorescein is the dye commonly used in eye angiography due to its specific properties that allow for effective visualization of the blood vessels in the retina and choroid. When injected into the bloodstream, it fluoresces under blue light, making it easier for physicians to capture detailed images of the ocular circulation. This ability to highlight the vascular structures is crucial for diagnosing various retinal conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and other vascular disorders. Indocyanine green is also used in certain specialized forms of angiography but is primarily employed for imaging the choroidal circulation, not the retinal vasculature that sodium fluorescein targets. Brilliant blue is not typically used in eye angiography; rather, it is a dye utilized in aiding surgical procedures within the eye, such as retinal surgery. Fluorescein isothiocyanate may be involved in other types of biological assays or imaging processes but is not the standard dye used in ocular angiography. The specific characteristics of sodium fluorescein, including its safety profile and the clarity of images it produces, solidify its place as the dye of choice for eye angiographic studies.