Manual measurement of retinal bifurcation features

This paper introduces a new computerized tool for accurate manual measurement of features of retinal bifurcation geometry, designed for use in investigating correlations between measurement features and clinical conditions. The tool uses user-placed rectangles to measure the vessel width, and lines placed along vessel center lines to measure the angles. An analysis is presented of measurements taken from 435 bifurcations. These are compared with theoretical predictions based on optimality principles presented in the literature. The new tool shows better agreement with the theoretical predictions than a simpler manual method published in the literature, but there remains a significant discrepancy between current theory and measured geometry.