Improved diagnostics by automated matching and enhancement in fluorescein angiography of the ocular fundus

摘要

An interactive image matching program has been developed to help ophthalmologists in perceiving subtle differences between sequential images obtained during fluorescein angiography. In a pilot experiment, it appeared that the image matching program could effectively correct camera alignment errors. By offering simple tools like image overlay, blinking and image subtraction, differences between angiograms can be greatly enhanced and interpreted. It appeared that newly formed, leaking blood vessels could be detected at an earlier stage of the disease process using these tools. Treatment can be initiated right away, thereby preventing the patient from having additional visual loss. The matching program seems to improve the quality of fundus diagnostics but needs to be validated in future studies.