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Estimation of variability of retinal vessel network caused by pathology
open access
Abstract
Material and methods. Fractal analysis of photographs of vascular networks revealed significant differences between controls and diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy and AMD (age related macular degeneration). The results are based on the analysis and calculations of fractal dimensions of 173 pathological and control photographs of retinal vessels. The following patients were included in the study: 38 diabetic retinopathy, 31 hypertensive retinopathy, 32 open-angle glaucoma, 39 AMD patients and 33 controls. The fractal dimension is the mathematical parameter describing the complexity of the analysed network. The obtained images of retinal vessel networks were digitised, normalised and processed mathematically. The box counting method was used for calculation of fractal dimensions.
Conclusions. This analysis allows not only for description of the plasticity and complexity of retinal network as the effect of pathological conditions but also contains the potential to use this kind of analysis for diagnostic purposes.
Abstract
Material and methods. Fractal analysis of photographs of vascular networks revealed significant differences between controls and diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy and AMD (age related macular degeneration). The results are based on the analysis and calculations of fractal dimensions of 173 pathological and control photographs of retinal vessels. The following patients were included in the study: 38 diabetic retinopathy, 31 hypertensive retinopathy, 32 open-angle glaucoma, 39 AMD patients and 33 controls. The fractal dimension is the mathematical parameter describing the complexity of the analysed network. The obtained images of retinal vessel networks were digitised, normalised and processed mathematically. The box counting method was used for calculation of fractal dimensions.
Conclusions. This analysis allows not only for description of the plasticity and complexity of retinal network as the effect of pathological conditions but also contains the potential to use this kind of analysis for diagnostic purposes.
Keywords
fractal dimensions; retinal vessel network; plasticity of retinal angiogenesis
About this articleTitle
Estimation of variability of retinal vessel network caused by pathology
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
121-128
Published online
2005-05-19
Page views
836
Article views/downloads
1382
DOI
10.5603/aa.9894
Bibliographic record
Acta Angiologica 2005;11(2):121-128.
Keywords
fractal dimensions
retinal vessel network
plasticity of retinal angiogenesis
Authors
Iwona Liberek
Sławomir Chaberek
Stanisława Kwiecień
Jerzy Szaflik
Kazimierz Ostrowski