title: Real-time algorithm for retinal tracking.
abstract: Conventional retinal laser photocoagulation is presently performed by an ophthalmologist manually aiming a low-power laser beam at a desired site and firing a high-power laser for a preselected interval of time. To automate this process a retinal tracker must acquire a target, track small saccades, and identify loss of track during a large saccade. The authors successfully implemented a real-time algorithm that used a simple computer, video digitizing card, low light video camera, and fundus camera to perform rudimentary tracking on a photograph of a retina undergoing smooth circular motion. The algorithm tracked speeds up to 5 Hz, or 27 degrees/s, which equated to the retina moving in a 525 microns diameter circle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, CO.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Markov
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Rylander
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004867:Equipment Design; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008433:Mathematics; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D012438:Saccades; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation