Retina
The human retina is a thin tissue composed of neuralcells that is located in the posterior portion of the eye. Because of the complex structure of the capillaries that supply the retina with blood, each person’s retina is unique. The network of blood vessels in the retina is so complex that even identical twins do not share a similar pattern.
Although retinal patterns may be altered in cases of diabetes, glaucoma or retinal degenerative disorders, the retina typically remains unchanged from birth until death.
A biometric identifier known as a retinal scan is used to map the unique patterns of a person’s retina. The blood vessels within the retina absorb light more readily than the surrounding tissue and are easily identified with appropriate lighting. A retinal scan is performed by casting an unperceived beam of low-energy infrared light into a person’s eye as they look through the scanner’s eyepiece. This beam of light traces a standardized path on the retina. Because retinal blood vessels are more absorbent of this light than the rest of the eye, the amount of reflection varies during the scan. The pattern of variations is converted to computer code and stored in a database.
Retinal scanning also has medical applications. Communicable illnesses such as AIDS, syphilis, malaria, chicken pox as well as hereditary diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia impact the eyes. Pregnancy also affects the eyes.
Likewise, indications of chronic health conditions such as congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, and cholesterol issues first appear in the eyes.
Overview of some similarities and differences between retina and iris recognition:
Similarities:
Differences:
More at:
Iris Recognition vs. Retina Scanning – What are the Differences?
Retina biometrics
Securing Revocable Iris and Retinal Templates using Combined User and Soft Biometric based Password Hardened Multimodal Fuzzy Vault
The human retina is a thin tissue composed of neuralcells that is located in the posterior portion of the eye. Because of the complex structure of the capillaries that supply the retina with blood, each person’s retina is unique. The network of blood vessels in the retina is so complex that even identical twins do not share a similar pattern.
Although retinal patterns may be altered in cases of diabetes, glaucoma or retinal degenerative disorders, the retina typically remains unchanged from birth until death.
A biometric identifier known as a retinal scan is used to map the unique patterns of a person’s retina. The blood vessels within the retina absorb light more readily than the surrounding tissue and are easily identified with appropriate lighting. A retinal scan is performed by casting an unperceived beam of low-energy infrared light into a person’s eye as they look through the scanner’s eyepiece. This beam of light traces a standardized path on the retina. Because retinal blood vessels are more absorbent of this light than the rest of the eye, the amount of reflection varies during the scan. The pattern of variations is converted to computer code and stored in a database.
Retinal scanning also has medical applications. Communicable illnesses such as AIDS, syphilis, malaria, chicken pox as well as hereditary diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia impact the eyes. Pregnancy also affects the eyes.
Likewise, indications of chronic health conditions such as congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, and cholesterol issues first appear in the eyes.
Overview of some similarities and differences between retina and iris recognition:
Similarities:
- Low occurrence of false positives
- Extremely low (almost 0%) false negative rates
- Highly reliable because no two people have the same iris or retinal pattern
- Speedy results: Identity of the subject is verified very quickly
- The capillaries in the iris and retina decompose too rapidly to use a amputated eye to gain access
Differences:
- Retinal scan measurement accuracy can be affected by disease; iris fine texture remains remarkably stable
- An iris scan is no different than taking a normal photograph of a person and can be performed at a distance; for retinal scanning the eye must be brought very close to an eyepiece (like looking into a microscope)
- Iris scanning is more widely accepted as a commercial modality than retinal scanning
- Retinal scanning is considered to be invasive, iris is not
More at:
Iris Recognition vs. Retina Scanning – What are the Differences?
Retina biometrics
Securing Revocable Iris and Retinal Templates using Combined User and Soft Biometric based Password Hardened Multimodal Fuzzy Vault