AUTOMATED RETINAL VASCULATURE TRACKING . IN GRAY-SCALE & COLOR DIGITAL FUNDUS IMAGES

Abstract

Some of the most common blinding conditions are caused by choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The relevant conditions include diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. At present, the only proven modality of effective _ treatment is the application of laser energy to the CNV to cauterize the vessels. The key

to effective and lasting treatment is the identification of the full extent of the CNV, complete cauterization of the CNV by accurately aiming an appropriate amount of optical energy while ensuring that healthy tissue is not cauterized. Despite the superiority of laser treatment over other available methods, serious problems remain. The current rate of success of this procedure is less than 50% for eradication of the CNV following one treatment session with a recurrence and/or persistence rate of about 50%. The latter condition requires re-treatment. Each re-treatment, in turn, has a 50% failure rate. The visual recovery declines with each successive treatment. Indeed, several studies indicate that incomplete treatment was associated with poorer prognosis than no treatment.