[Improvement of differential diagnosis of pigmented changes in the fundus using multispectral image analysis]

On the basis of preliminary investigations completed in 1978 dealing with computer-assisted analysis of infrared photographs of the ocular fundus, multispectral photograph analysis methods were tested as to their usefulness in improving differential diagnosis. The computer used in this case was a process control computer with special peripheral equipment. Computer programs were developed to solve problems relating to photograph analysis and classification. Information obtained by computer processing should prove helpful in the differential diagnosis of pigmented changes in the fundus. Since melanomas cannot always be clearly differentiated by purely visual examination, and since the "extra-visual" spectra are often more easily interpreted with the aid of computerized photograph analysis, this paper presents examples illustrating the anticipated practical value of our investigations.