Anisotropic Enhancement of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer

Abstract

Purpose: Visual examination of the retinal nerve fiber layer is difficult because of its low contrast and granular appearance. Previous attempts toward enhancement mainly have concerned contrast. Reduction of granularity also could have merit. Methods: Digital anisotropic processing of color slides from normal and abnormal ocular fundi, with superpositioning of image pairs of slightly different sizes. Results and Conclusion: Qualitative comparison of native and processed images indicated that longitudinal enhancement of nerve fiber bundles is feasible. This novel type of processing may allow more reliable evaluation of conditions causing wasting or swelling of the retinal nerve fiber layer.

KEYWORDS:

• Retinal nerve fiber layer
• fundus photography
• digital image enhancement
• optic atrophy