Automated assessment of glaucoma loss from optical coherence tomography
Inventors
Abramoff, Michael • Sonka, Milan
Assignees
University of Iowa Research Foundation UIRF • US Department of Veterans Affairs
Publication Number
US-12288337-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-29
Expiration Date
2033-03-15
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Abstract
Systems and methods for assessing glaucoma loss using optical coherence topography. One method according to an aspect comprises receiving optical coherence image data and assessing functional glaucoma damage from retinal optical coherence image data. In an aspect, the systems and methods can map regions and layers of the eye to determine structural characteristics to compare to functional characteristics.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods for assessing glaucoma loss using optical coherence tomography (OCT). It involves receiving optical coherence image data of the retina and assessing functional glaucoma damage based on retinal OCT images. The systems and methods can map regions and layers of the eye to determine structural characteristics that are compared to functional characteristics to improve glaucoma assessment.
The problem addressed is the progressive optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma that leads to irreversible vision loss if untreated. Current clinical standards, including automated perimetry and optic nerve cup assessment, have limitations especially in moderate and advanced glaucoma, where visual field (VF) measurement variability increases and reduces reliability. There is a need for improved structural-functional (S-F) correlation to enhance diagnosis and progression monitoring.
The invention aims to overcome limited dynamic range and variability in existing OCT measurements by analyzing OCT images to measure damage along the retinal ganglion cell-axonal complex (RGC-AC), comprising ganglion cell bodies, nerve fiber bundles (NFB), and optic nerve head (ONH) segments. By segmenting retinal layers and mapping connectivity using multi-field OCT scans, it achieves improved prediction of visual function from objective structural measures, reducing dependence on VF testing and enhancing clinical care.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent method claim and one independent computer-readable medium claim, each involving determining macular damage and nerve region correlations from retinal images.
Determining macular damage using cell layer thickness and correlations to nerve regions
The method determines macular damage based on thickness measurement of a cell layer within a retinal image, computes a set of correlations between this cell layer and multiple nerve regions, identifies the nerve region with the highest correlation to the cell layer, and determines that this nerve region is affected by macular damage.
Generating image grids and defining regions of interest
The method employs one or more image grids, including nerve fiber bundle (NFB) grids, macular grids, and optic nerve head (ONH) grids, to segment the retinal image into regions of interest. The macular grid is a subset of regions within the NFB grid. Regions sizes can be scaled using a factor based on anatomical distances, such as between the fovea and the center of the neural canal opening.
Mapping and determining connectivity paths along retinal structures
The method determines connectivity paths of the cell layer to nerve fiber bundle segments within NFB regions and identifies paths with the highest cumulative correlation linking nerve regions to the cell layer. It further maps connectivity of the cell layer to the neural rim of the ONH, initial and final NFB segments, and connectivity within NFB regions to the ONH area.
These inventive features establish a novel process for assessing glaucoma damage through targeted correlation and connectivity analysis of retinal layers and nerve regions using OCT image grids, enabling improved determination of structural damage related to macular and nerve fiber regions.
Stated Advantages
Improved ability to stage glaucoma disease comprehensively using both structural and functional measures over the entire disease spectrum.
Enhanced capacity to confirm functional changes with corresponding structural changes, improving detection of disease progression.
Reduced testing burden for patients by enabling more frequent and objective structural testing using OCT, which is easier to perform than visual field testing.
Feasibility of objective glaucoma damage assessment in patients unable to perform visual field testing, such as young children or the elderly with limitations.
Documented Applications
Assessing glaucoma damage and progression by measuring retinal ganglion cell and nerve fiber layer thinning using OCT imaging.
Mapping structural-functional correlations in the retina by registering multi-field OCT scans and visual field test data to predict visual function.
Quantification and mapping of glaucomatous damage along the retinal ganglion cell-axonal complex for improved glaucoma detection and management.
Use in clinical settings to reduce dependence on variable visual field testing and enhance objective glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring.
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