No Arabic abstract
Background/Aims: Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) is the gold standard to monitor visual field (VF) loss in glaucoma management, but is prone to intra-subject variability. We developed and validated a deep learning (DL) regression model that estimates pointwise and overall VF loss from unsegmented optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans. Methods: Eight DL regression models were trained with various retinal imaging modalities: circumpapillary OCT at 3.5mm, 4.1mm, 4.7mm diameter, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) en face images to estimate mean deviation (MD) and 52 threshold values. This retrospective study used data from patients who underwent a complete glaucoma examination, including a reliable Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 24-2 SITA Standard VF exam and a SPECTRALIS OCT scan using the Glaucoma Module Premium Edition. Results: A total of 1378 matched OCT-VF pairs of 496 patients (863 eyes) were included for training and evaluation of the DL models. Average sample MD was -7.53dB (from -33.8dB to +2.0dB). For 52 VF threshold values estimation, the circumpapillary OCT scan with the largest radius (4.7mm) achieved the best performance among all individual models (Pearson r=0.77, 95% CI=[0.72-0.82]). For MD, prediction averaging of OCT-trained models (3.5mm, 4.1mm, 4.7mm) resulted in a Pearson r of 0.78 [0.73-0.83] on the validation set and comparable performance on the test set (Pearson r=0.79 [0.75-0.82]). Conclusion: DL on unsegmented OCT scans accurately predicts pointwise and mean deviation of 24-2 VF in glaucoma patients. Automated VF from unsegmented OCT could be a solution for patients unable to produce reliable perimetry results.
Since the introduction of optical coherence tomography (OCT), it has been possible to study the complex 3D morphological changes of the optic nerve head (ONH) tissues that occur along with the progression of glaucoma. Although several deep learning (DL) techniques have been recently proposed for the automated extraction (segmentation) and quantification of these morphological changes, the device specific nature and the difficulty in preparing manual segmentations (training data) limit their clinical adoption. With several new manufacturers and next-generation OCT devices entering the market, the complexity in deploying DL algorithms clinically is only increasing. To address this, we propose a DL based 3D segmentation framework that is easily translatable across OCT devices in a label-free manner (i.e. without the need to manually re-segment data for each device). Specifically, we developed 2 sets of DL networks. The first (referred to as the enhancer) was able to enhance OCT image quality from 3 OCT devices, and harmonized image-characteristics across these devices. The second performed 3D segmentation of 6 important ONH tissue layers. We found that the use of the enhancer was critical for our segmentation network to achieve device independency. In other words, our 3D segmentation network trained on any of 3 devices successfully segmented ONH tissue layers from the other two devices with high performance (Dice coefficients > 0.92). With such an approach, we could automatically segment images from new OCT devices without ever needing manual segmentation data from such devices.
Accurate isolation and quantification of intraocular dimensions in the anterior segment (AS) of the eye using optical coherence tomography (OCT) images is important in the diagnosis and treatment of many eye diseases, especially angle closure glaucoma. In this study, we developed a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) for the localization of the scleral spur, and the segmentation of anterior segment structures (iris, corneo-sclera shell, anterior chamber). With limited training data, the DCNN was able to detect the scleral spur on unseen ASOCT images as accurately as an experienced ophthalmologist; and simultaneously isolated the anterior segment structures with a Dice coefficient of 95.7%. We then automatically extracted eight clinically relevant ASOCT parameters and proposed an automated quality check process that asserts the reliability of these parameters. When combined with an OCT machine capable of imaging multiple radial sections, the algorithms can provide a more complete objective assessment. This is an essential step toward providing a robust automated framework for reliable quantification of ASOCT scans, for applications in the diagnosis and management of angle closure glaucoma.
Automated drusen segmentation in retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans is relevant for understanding age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk and progression. This task is usually performed by segmenting the top/bottom anatomical interfaces that define drusen, the outer boundary of the retinal pigment epithelium (OBRPE) and the Bruchs membrane (BM), respectively. In this paper we propose a novel multi-decoder architecture that tackles drusen segmentation as a multitask problem. Instead of training a multiclass model for OBRPE/BM segmentation, we use one decoder per target class and an extra one aiming for the area between the layers. We also introduce connections between each class-specific branch and the additional decoder to increase the regularization effect of this surrogate task. We validated our approach on private/public data sets with 166 early/intermediate AMD Spectralis, and 200 AMD and control Bioptigen OCT volumes, respectively. Our method consistently outperformed several baselines in both layer and drusen segmentation evaluations.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) performs non-invasive visualization and characterization of microvasculature in research and clinical applications mainly in ophthalmology and dermatology. A wide variety of instruments, imaging protocols, processing methods and metrics have been used to describe the microvasculature, such that comparing different study outcomes is currently not feasible. With the goal of contributing to standardization of OCTA data analysis, we report a user-friendly, open-source toolbox, OCTAVA (OCTA Vascular Analyzer), to automate the pre-processing, segmentation, and quantitative analysis of en face OCTA maximum intensity projection images in a standardized workflow. We present each analysis step, including optimization of filtering and choice of segmentation algorithm, and definition of metrics. We perform quantitative analysis of OCTA images from different commercial and non-commercial instruments and samples and show OCTAVA can accurately and reproducibly determine metrics for characterization of microvasculature. Wide adoption could enable studies and aggregation of data on a scale sufficient to develop reliable microvascular biomarkers for early detection, and to guide treatment, of microvascular disease.
To explore the clinical validity of elastic deformation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for data augmentation in the development of deep-learning model for detection of diabetic macular edema (DME).