Comparative Analysis of Feature Extraction Methods for Optic Disc Detection

Abstract

Medical image analysis and processing has great significance in the field of medicine, especially in non-invasive treatment and clinical study. Normally fundus images are manually graded by specially trained clinicians in a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. A computer assisted fundus image analysis could provide an immediate detection and characterization of retinal features prior to ophthalmologist's inspection. Optic Disc (OD) or Optic Nerve Head (ONH) is relevant anatomical eye structure to diagnose various diseases such as Glaucoma, Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetic retinopathy in its advanced stages. Extraction of OD in retinal fundus image is also helpful in image registration and serves as landmark for other retinal feature localization like macula. This paper gives the brief survey of current OD detection methods with limitations and challenges.