Artikel
Retinal Vessel Analysis: state of the art and potentials
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 22. September 2004 |
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Gliederung
Text
Objective
Ophthalmoscopic examinations of the retinal vascular system result in subjective evaluation of visible changes of the morphological vessel state applying qualitative characteristics. Today methods of Retinal Vessel Analysis are able to supply additional quantitative information about vessel state and efficiency to control microcirculation and to compensate for disturbances.
Methods
Vessel Analysis is based on measurements of vessel diameters along the vessels in relation to time. Diameter values are used to estimate vessel parameters. Methods of Static Vessel Analysis estimate static vessel parameters using single fundus image. (SVA). One example of this method group is the estimation of av-ratio as proposed by the ARIC- Study. Methods of Dynamic Vessel Analysis (DVA, RVA) assess functional parameters obtaining retinal image sequences, which record vessel responses to physiologic changes or artificial stimulation. Value and potentials of different methods of vessel analysis are put into perspective applying information about physiological vessel behaviour and autoregulation as well as results of prior studies.
Results
Static Vessel Analysis supplies objective and quantitative information about the actual vessel state and morphological changes respectively. Dynamic Vessel Analysis supplies additional objective and quantitative information about efficiency and disturbances of functions of the vessels and their autoregulation.
Conclusions
Dynamic Vessel Analysis has a high potential for clinical interdisciplinary cooperation in the field of systemic vessel diseases but also for retinal diseases like glaucoma, vascular occlusive disease and diabetic retinopathy. This is true with some limitations also advanced Static Vessel Analysis. Possible applications are retinal vascular risk estimation, early diagnosis and individual treatment optimization.
(OIT, supp. by BMBF FKZ: 13N8522 and Ernst und Berta Grimmke-Stiftung)