Predicting visual function from the measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer structure
Zhu, H., Crabb, D. P., Schlottmann, P. G. , Lemij, H. G., Reus, N. J., Healey, P. R., Mitchell, P., Holm, T. & Garway-Heath, D. F. (2010). Predicting visual function from the measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer structure. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 51(11), pp. 5657-5666. doi: 10.1167/iovs.10-5239
Abstract
Purpose: To develop and validate a method for predicting visual function from retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) structure in glaucoma.
Methods: RNFL thickness (RNFLT) measurements from GDxVCC scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) and visual field (VF) sensitivity from standard automated perimetry were made available from 535 eyes from three centres. In a training dataset, structure-function relationships were characterized using linear regression and a type of neural network: Radial Basis Function customised under a Bayesian framework (BRBF). These two models were used in a test dataset to 1) predict sensitivity values at individual VF locations from RNFLT measurements and 2) predict the spatial relationship between VF locations and positions at a peripapillary RNFLT measurement annulus. Predicted spatial relationships were compared with a published anatomical structure-function map.
Results: Compared with linear regression, BRBF yielded a nearly two-fold improvement (P<0.001; paired t-test) in performance of predicting VF sensitivity in the test dataset (mean absolute prediction error of 2.9dB (standard deviation (SD) 3.7dB) versus 4.9dB (SD 4.0dB)). The predicted spatial structure-function relationship accorded better (P<0.001; paired t-test) with anatomical prior knowledge when the BRBF was compared with the linear regression (median absolute angular difference of 15° versus 62°).
Conclusions: The BRBF generates clinically useful relationships that relate topographical maps of RNFL measurement to VF locations and allows the VF sensitivity to be predicted from structural measurements. This method may allow clinicians to evaluate structural and functional measures in the same domain. It could also be generalized to use other structural measures.
| Publication Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Publisher Keywords: | Glaucoma, visual field, scanning laser polarimetry, Bayesian methodology, radial basis function, structure-function relationship |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology |
| Departments: | School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Optometry & Visual Sciences |
| SWORD Depositor: |
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