Mosaicking and enhancement of slit lamp biomicroscopic fundus images.

AIMS To process video slit lamp biomicroscopic fundus image sequences in order to generate wide field, high quality fundus image montages which might be suitable for photodocumentation. METHODS Slit lamp biomicroscopic fundus examination was performed on human volunteers with a contact or non-contact lens. A stock, charge coupled device camera permitted image capture and storage of the image sequence at 30 frames per second. Acquisition time was approximately 30 seconds. Individual slit lamp biomicroscope fundus image frames were aligned and blended with custom developed software. RESULTS The developed algorithms allowed for highly accurate alignment and blending of partially overlapping slit lamp biomicroscopic fundus images to generate a seamless, high quality, wide field montage. CONCLUSIONS Video image acquisition and processing algorithms allow for mosaicking and enhancement of slit lamp biomicroscopic fundus images. The improved quality and wide field of view may confer suitability for inexpensive, real time photodocumentation of disc and macular abnormalities.