Detecting central fixation by means of artificial neural networks in a pediatric vision screener using retinal birefringence scanning.

Journal: Biomedical engineering online
Published Date:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Reliable detection of central fixation and eye alignment is essential in the diagnosis of amblyopia ("lazy eye"), which can lead to blindness. Our lab has developed and reported earlier a pediatric vision screener that performs scanning of the retina around the fovea and analyzes changes in the polarization state of light as the scan progresses. Depending on the direction of gaze and the instrument design, the screener produces several signal frequencies that can be utilized in the detection of central fixation. The objective of this study was to compare artificial neural networks with classical statistical methods, with respect to their ability to detect central fixation reliably.

Authors

  • Boris I Gramatikov
    Laboratory of Ophthalmic Instrument Development, The Krieger Children's Eye Center at the Wilmer Institute, Wilmer Eye Institute, 233, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287-9028, USA. bgramat@jhmi.edu.