Preventing corneal blindness caused by keratitis using artificial intelligence

Zhongwen Li, Jiewei Jiang, Kuan Chen, Qianqian Chen, Qinxiang Zheng, Xiaotian Liu, Hongfei Weng, Shanjun Wu and Wei Chen ()
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Zhongwen Li: Wenzhou Medical University
Jiewei Jiang: Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications
Kuan Chen: Wenzhou Medical University
Qianqian Chen: Wenzhou Medical University
Qinxiang Zheng: Wenzhou Medical University
Xiaotian Liu: Wenzhou Medical University
Hongfei Weng: Wenzhou Medical University
Shanjun Wu: Wenzhou Medical University
Wei Chen: Wenzhou Medical University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Keratitis is the main cause of corneal blindness worldwide. Most vision loss caused by keratitis can be avoidable via early detection and treatment. The diagnosis of keratitis often requires skilled ophthalmologists. However, the world is short of ophthalmologists, especially in resource-limited settings, making the early diagnosis of keratitis challenging. Here, we develop a deep learning system for the automated classification of keratitis, other cornea abnormalities, and normal cornea based on 6,567 slit-lamp images. Our system exhibits remarkable performance in cornea images captured by the different types of digital slit lamp cameras and a smartphone with the super macro mode (all AUCs>0.96). The comparable sensitivity and specificity in keratitis detection are observed between the system and experienced cornea specialists. Our system has the potential to be applied to both digital slit lamp cameras and smartphones to promote the early diagnosis and treatment of keratitis, preventing the corneal blindness caused by keratitis.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24116-6

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