PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - R C Peterson AU - J S Wolffsohn TI - The effect of digital image resolution and compression on anterior eye imaging AID - 10.1136/bjo.2004.062240 DP - 2005 Jul 01 TA - British Journal of Ophthalmology PG - 828--830 VI - 89 IP - 7 4099 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/89/7/828.short 4100 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/89/7/828.full SO - Br J Ophthalmol2005 Jul 01; 89 AB - Aim: To determine the theoretical and clinical minimum image pixel resolution and maximum compression appropriate for anterior eye image storage. Methods: Clinical images of the bulbar conjunctiva, palpebral conjunctiva, and corneal staining were taken at the maximum resolution of Nikon:CoolPix990 (2048×1360 pixels), DVC:1312C (1280×811), and JAI:CV-S3200 (767×569) single chip cameras and the JVC:KYF58 (767×569) three chip camera. The images were stored in TIFF format and further copies created with reduced resolution or compressed. The images were then ranked for clarity on a 15 inch monitor (resolution 1280×1024) by 20 optometrists and analysed by objective image analysis grading. Theoretical calculation of the resolution necessary to detect the smallest objects of clinical interest was also conducted. Results: Theoretical calculation suggested that the minimum resolution should be ⩾579 horizontal pixels at 25× magnification. Image quality was perceived subjectively as being reduced when the pixel resolution was lower than 767×569 (p<0.005) or the image was compressed as a BMP or <50% quality JPEG (p<0.005). Objective image analysis techniques were less susceptible to changes in image quality, particularly when using colour extraction techniques. Conclusion: It is appropriate to store anterior eye images at between 1280×811 and 767×569 pixel resolution and at up to 1:70 JPEG compression.