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Computerized stereochronoscopy and alternation flicker to detect optic nerve head contour change
J W Berger1, T R Patel, D S Shin
1Computer Vision Laboratory, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Ophthalmology
|July 13, 2000
Summary
Computerized image registration and alternation flicker enable sensitive detection of glaucoma progression by aligning sequential optic disc images. This digital method improves upon older techniques for identifying optic nerve head contour changes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Computer Science
Background:
- Glaucoma diagnosis historically faced challenges with stereochronoscopy due to image misalignment.
- Previous attempts to use stereochronoscopy for glaucoma were limited by the inability to superimpose sequential optic nerve images accurately.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate computerized registration techniques for aligning sequential optic disc images.
- To facilitate sensitive detection of optic nerve head contour changes in glaucoma using digital methods.
Main Methods:
- Developed custom software for accurate alignment of digitized optic disc photographs (1-18 years apart).
- Utilized digital stereochronoscopy and alternation flicker for judging disc morphology changes.
- Compared digital methods with standard stereoscopic comparison for glaucoma progression detection.
Main Results:
- Computerized registration successfully aligned sequential optic disc photographs.
- Alternation flicker of superimposed images effectively detected optic nerve head contour changes.
- High concordance was observed between alternation flicker and standard stereoscopic comparison, with alternation flicker sometimes revealing changes missed by standard methods.
Conclusions:
- Digital image processing and alternation flicker offer a simple, sensitive, software-based approach for detecting glaucomatous optic disc changes.
- This digital technique enhances the ability to monitor glaucoma progression through optic nerve head imaging.