The role of fluorescein angiography in the interpretation of optic nerve head diseases.

In normal individuals fluorescein angiography of the optic nerve head has some peculiar signs. Three early phases can be distinguished, they include: 1) retrolaminar and laminar filling, 2) prelaminar filling, 3) superficial capillary filling. A late staining is also part of the fluorescein angiography of a normal disc. Many optic nerve disturbances show changes of the above mentioned angiographic signs. The Authors discuss the fluorescein angiographic pattern of 1) anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, 2) central retinal vein occlusion, 3) papilledema and 4) drusen.