Intelligent Glaucoma Classification for Fundus Images

The human eye is a sensing organ for vision. It is well-constructed to gather the information about the surrounding environment. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue located in the back of the eye. It accumulates light focused by the lens, turns it into neural impulses, and transfers these signals to the optic nerve. The optic nerve transports the signal to the brain and aids visual processing. The fundus camera supports capturing the eye's interior surface, including the retina, vasculature, Optic Nerve Head (ONH), and posterior pole. It aids in interpreting retinal characteristics and is used to screen the patients with sight-threatening retinal disorders.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 43 million people are blind, 295 million have moderate to severe visual impairment, and 258 million have mild vision impairment. Many studies attest that Glaucoma is the prominent cause of blindness, accounting for around 3.12 million cases worldwide, and the leading cause of visual disability. The Glaucoma sufferers prediction rises to roughly 111.8 million in 2040 and 117 million in 2050 due to the constant increase in population. Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease that affects the vision peripherally and gradually leads to blindness due to increased Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) and changes in the retinal structure like Optic Disc (OD) and Optic Cup (OC). Early diagnosis and quick treatment for Glaucoma are critical for preserving visual function and preventing permanent vision loss. Glaucoma comprises a group of ocular neuropathies characterized by gradual loss of retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve degeneration, and vision loss. Additionally, Glaucoma patients experience a severe reduction in their visual field, which is asymptomatic until the disease progresses to an advanced stage.

Clinical trials were conducted to assess the disease's progression stages, ranging from mild to advanced, using numerous risk factors and anatomic features. Diagnosis of disease necessitates a thorough examination, several tests, and access to various diagnostic modalities. This complex, subjective detection method is hampered by various challenges, including a lack of patient awareness of the disease, a lack of healthcare facilities, and a paucity of trained professionals, particularly in remote locations.