High-resolution retinal imaging: enhancement techniques

AO has achieved success in a range of applications in ophthalmology where microstructures need to be identified, counted, and mapped. Multiple images are averaged to improve the SNR or analyzed for temporal dynamics. For small patches, image registration by cross-correlation is straightforward. Larger images require more sophisticated registration techniques. Strip-based registration has been used successfully for photoreceptor mosaic alignment in small patches; however, if the deformations along long strips are not simple displacements, averaging will actually degrade the images. We have applied non-rigid registration that significantly improves the quality of processed images for mapping cones and rods, and microvasculature in dark-field imaging. Local grid deformations account for local image stretching and compression due to a number of causes. Individual blood cells can be traced along capillaries in high-speed imaging (130 fps) and flow dynamics can be analyzed.