Early detection of Papilloedema and Diabetic Retinopathy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early detection of Papilloedema and Diabetic Retinopathy: proof-of-concept study of a novel technique to acquire fundus images using a smartphone for Machine Learning.
IRAS ID
265955
Contact name
Vitaveska Lanfranchi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
This proof of concept trial, involving original research from a multidisciplinary team, aims to establish whether fundus images can be effectively captured using a lens attached (at a pre-fixed distance) to a standard smartphone and used to train a Machine Learning Algorithm. \n\nThe project aims to develop a generic methodology for the early screening of eye diseases using a smartphone-based solution using its camera and flash to image the retina. A platform-independent app will guide the user in imaging the retina, attaching a 20 Dioptre lens to the smartphone. This will enable non-experts (e.g. GP and opticians) to easily screen patients and redirect resources. Many technical challenges will need to be addressed at image acquisition (meeting the image quality requirements for the early screening), image processing (ensuring that images are independent of the lighting and focal length changes during acquisition), and machine learning (to successfully discriminate pathological images from normal). \nThe new imaging method will be trialed in patients within standard eye clinic appointment under clinical supervision. There will be ongoing development of the machine learning algorithms during this process. The images collected during the research will be used as training data for the machine learning algorithm.\n\nIf the new imaging method performs successfully in this proof-of-concept study, we aim to proceed to a larger clinical trial to determine its sensitivity and specificity as a screening tool for diabetic retinopathy and papilloedema, before final development into a commercial product. \n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0339
Date of REC Opinion
3 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion