Abstract
Purpose:
To present the improved version of The Queryable Atlas of the Retina that allows for queries based on partial information, including retinal images, of an unknown retinal condition.
Methods:
Since the original presentation of the Queryable Atlas of the Retina (Sayegh et al, AAO 2000) a number of events have occurred that led to a fundamental redesign and improvement of the Atlas. 1) OCT has become a major tool of diagnosis of retinal disease, 2) the speed and memory capacity of computers, as well as speed of implementation of search algorithms, have continued to rise exponentially and 3) new treatments paradigm and novel surgical techniques have profoundly transformed retinal therapeutics. These three aspects have been utilized to redesign the Atlas while maintaining its fundamental queryable nature which clearly distinguishes it from other more traditional approaches.
Results:
The new design allows for rapid queries to be resolved based on limited characterization or partial information. The search "by field" and "by image" features have been vastly improved.
Conclusions:
The Queryable Atlas of the Retina can be used as a powerful diagnostic support tool as well as a valuable teaching tool in residency and retinal fellowship programs.