Automated quantification of retinal nerve fiber layer atrophy in fundus photograph

Quantitative analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect is prerequisite in the early detection and management of glaucoma. A new automatic quantification method to evaluate the degree of RNLF defect has been proposed in this paper. Simple image processing technique is applied to locate optic disc and intensity of the pixels around optic disc is plotted. The area with RNFL defect can be easily determined by comparing the intensity plot of the RNFL and the first derivative of the intensity plot. Through analysis of the plot, thickness of RNFL also can be postulated.