Touka Banaee1, Asieh Ehsaei2, Hamidreza Pourreza3, Mohammad Khajedaluee4, Mojtaba Abrishami5, Mohsen Basiri5, Ramin Daneshvar Kakhki5, Reza Pourreza3. 1. Retina Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: tkbanaee@gmail.com. 2. Refractive Error Research Centre, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 3. Computer Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. 4. Department of Social Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 5. Retina Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the distribution of different-sized vessels in the digital images of the ocular surface, an endeavor which may provide useful information for future studies. METHODS: This study included 295 healthy individuals. From each participant, four digital photographs of the superior and inferior conjunctivae of both eyes, with a fixed succession of photography (right upper, right lower, left upper, left lower), were taken with a slit lamp mounted camera. Photographs were then analyzed by a previously described algorithm for vessel detection in the digital images. The area (of the image) occupied by vessels (AOV) of different sizes was measured. Height, weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and hemoglobin levels were also measured and the relationship between these parameters and the AOV was investigated. RESULTS: These findings indicated a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the AOV among the four conjunctival areas. No significant correlations were noted between the AOV of each conjunctival area and the different demographic and biometric factors. Medium-sized vessels were the most abundant vessels in the photographs of the four investigated conjunctival areas. The AOV of the different sizes of vessels follows a normal distribution curve in the four areas of the conjunctiva. The distribution of the vessels in successive photographs changes in a specific manner, with the mean AOV becoming larger as the photos were taken from the right upper to the left lower area. CONCLUSIONS: The AOV of vessel sizes has a normal distribution curve and medium-sized vessels occupy the largest area of the photograph.
PURPOSE: To investigate the distribution of different-sized vessels in the digital images of the ocular surface, an endeavor which may provide useful information for future studies. METHODS: This study included 295 healthy individuals. From each participant, four digital photographs of the superior and inferior conjunctivae of both eyes, with a fixed succession of photography (right upper, right lower, left upper, left lower), were taken with a slit lamp mounted camera. Photographs were then analyzed by a previously described algorithm for vessel detection in the digital images. The area (of the image) occupied by vessels (AOV) of different sizes was measured. Height, weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and hemoglobin levels were also measured and the relationship between these parameters and the AOV was investigated. RESULTS: These findings indicated a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the AOV among the four conjunctival areas. No significant correlations were noted between the AOV of each conjunctival area and the different demographic and biometric factors. Medium-sized vessels were the most abundant vessels in the photographs of the four investigated conjunctival areas. The AOV of the different sizes of vessels follows a normal distribution curve in the four areas of the conjunctiva. The distribution of the vessels in successive photographs changes in a specific manner, with the mean AOV becoming larger as the photos were taken from the right upper to the left lower area. CONCLUSIONS: The AOV of vessel sizes has a normal distribution curve and medium-sized vessels occupy the largest area of the photograph.