7.1Introduction

Glaucoma, a group of diseases that lead to optic neuropathy, is one of the most common reasons for blindness worldwide [1]. The most common form among the Caucasian population is openangle glaucoma (OAG) [2]. Glaucoma can be found especially in the elderly population. The relationship between age and glaucoma prevalence is established, while the inßuence of gender is disputed. Some studies reported a higher prevalence of OAG in men than in women [3Ð5], while other studies did not Þnd differences [6Ð8]. Glaucoma is deÞned by typical changes in the

optic nerve head (ONH) and a visual Þeld loss caused by a degeneration of retinal nerve Þbers, loss of retinal ganglion cells and astrocytes [9] (glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy). Crosssectional screening studies of the optic nerve head were performed, which were accomplished to detect optic nerve head pathologies and retinal microangiopathic abnormalities [10, 11].

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy by a telemedical approach. We conclude this chapter with a perspective on how the telemedical evaluation can be improved by automated pattern recognition techniques.

G. Michelson ( )

Department of Ophthalmology,

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,

Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054,

Erlangen, Germany

Interdisciplinary Center of Ophthalmic Preventive Medicine

and Imaging (IZPI), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,

Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054,

Erlangen, Germany

School of Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany e-mail: georg.michelson@uk-erlangen.de

R. Bock

Chair of Pattern Recognition, University of

Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstrasse 3, D-91054,

Erlangen, Germany

S. WŠrntges

Interdisciplinary Center of Ophthalmic Preventive Medicine

and Imaging (IZPI), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,

Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

J. Hornegger

School of Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT),

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6,

D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

Chair of Pattern Recognition, University of ErlangenNuremberg, Martensstrasse 3, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

B. Lausen

Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of

Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK

W. Adler

Department of Biometry and Epidemiology,

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Waldstrasse 6,

D-91054, Erlangen, Germany