High Dynamic Range Image Processing for Retinal Color Fundus Photography.

Authors :: Critser DB
Troyer J
Whitmore SS
Mansoor M
Stone EM
Russell JF
Han IC
Source :: Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging retina [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina] 2024 May; Vol. 55 (5), pp. 263-269. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 01.
Publication Year :: 2024
Abstract: Background and Objective: Color fundus photography is an important imaging modality that is currently limited by a narrow dynamic range. We describe a post-image processing technique to generate high dynamic range (HDR) retinal images with enhanced detail.<br />Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational case series evaluating fundus photographs of patients with macular pathology. Photographs were acquired with three or more exposure values using a commercially available camera (Topcon 50-DX). Images were aligned and imported into HDR processing software (Photomatix Pro). Fundus detail was compared between HDR and raw photographs.<br />Results: Sixteen eyes from 10 patients (5 male, 5 female; mean age 59.4 years) were analyzed. Clinician graders preferred the HDR image 91.7% of the time (44/48 image comparisons), with good grader agreement (81.3%, 13/16 eyes).<br />Conclusions: HDR fundus imaging is feasible using images from existing fundus cameras and may be useful for enhanced visualization of retinal detail in a variety of pathologic states. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:263-269.] .