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In fluorescein angiography, the late phase is characterized by the observation of diminished fluorescence in all retinal vessels, which indicates that the dye is being washed out of the vessels and less bright in those areas. During this phase, there is often an absence of white areas of leakage, signifying that the blood-retinal barrier is intact in the regions being imaged. This phase typically occurs after the initial and intermediary phases, where hyperfluorescence or leakage might be more prominent due to pathology such as retinal edema, neovascularization, or other abnormalities.

Understanding the endothelial integrity and the behavior of the dye application helps in distinguishing normal from pathological conditions within the retina. The late phase findings are crucial for determining the extent of any damage or disease process present, assisting in diagnosis and subsequent management plans. Thus, identifying the late phase is vital for interpreting the results of fluorescein angiography.