Automatic retinal registration using global optimization techniques

A new automatic scheme to register retinal images is presented and is currently tested in a clinical environment. The scheme considers the suitability and efficiency of different image transformation models and function optimization techniques, following an initial preprocessing stage. Three different transformation models-Affine, Bilinear and Projective-as well as two global optimization techniques, Simulated Annealing and Genetic Algorithms-are investigated and compared in terms of accuracy and efficiency. The registration of 26 pairs of Fluoroscein Angiography (FA) and Indocyanine Green Chorioangiography (ICG) images with the corresponding Red Free (RF) retinal images, showed the superiority of combining Genetic Algorithms with the Affine and Bilinear transformation models.