The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of artificial neural networks (ANN) in estimating the severity of mean deviation (MD) from peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements derived from optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods: Models were trained using 1796 pairs of visual field and OCT measurements from 1796 eyes to estimate visual field MD from RNFL data. Multivariable linear regression, random forest regressor, support vector regressor, and 1D convolutional neural network (CNN) models with sectoral RNFL thickness measurements were examined. Three independent subsets consisting of 698, 256, and 691 pairs of visual field and OCT measurements were used to validate the models. Estimation errors were visualized to assess model performance subjectively. Mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), median absolute error, Pearson correlation, and R-squared metrics were used to assess model performance objectively. Results:The MAE and RMSE of the ANN model based on the testing dataset were 4.0 dB (95% confidence interval = 3.8-4.2) and 5.2 dB (95% confidence interval = 5.1-5.4), respectively. The ranges of MAE and RMSE of the ANN model on independent datasets were 3.3-5.9 dB and 4.4-8.4 dB, respectively. Conclusions:The proposed ANN model estimated MD from RNFL measurements better than multivariable linear regression model, random forest, support vector regressor, and 1-D CNN models. The model was generalizable to independent data from different centers and varying races. Translational Relevance: Successful development of ANN models may assist clinicians in assessing visual function in glaucoma based on objective OCT measures with less dependence on subjective visual field tests.

rotruding ears continue to be perceived as a negative physical attribute in many cultural settings, with affected children frequently being ridiculed and adolescents experiencing reduced self-esteem. 1 Protruding ears have been associated with inferior cognitive performance at school, immaturity, less favorable personality traits, diminished selfconfidence, and social avoidance. 2,3 Media often select a person with large, prominent, or oddly shaped ears when wishing to depict an odd character or a less-intelligent individual. Few, if any, features are believed to elicit such negative responses as prominent or overly large ears. Prominent ears have been found to be significantly larger than normal ears. 4 From this perspective, protruding ears may be perceived as a stigma, defined as "an attribute or characteristic that conveys a social identity that is devalued in a particular social context," which includes "being the target of negative stereotypes, being rejected socially, being discriminated against, and being economically disadvantaged." 5(p505) Facial stigmata, such as scars, acne, strabismus, nasal deformities, and protruding ears are the most common reasons for a request for surgical revision. Persons with these facial stigmata provoke a negative reaction in the observer, with facial deformities having a negative effect on the perception of honesty, trustworthiness, and employability and, thereby, social functionality. 6 The relationship between visual deformities and high psychological distress was demonstrated to be close. 7 Several studies have IMPORTANCE Protruding ears are often thought to be a stigma, supposedly drawing attention and negatively influencing the perception of personality. These purported negative effects that may indicate corrective aesthetic otoplasty in patients too young to provide informed consent have not been quantified. OBJECTIVE To quantify attention directed toward protruding ears and its effect on the perception of selected personality traits. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this observational study conducted from August 1, 2013, to October 31, 2013, visual scan paths were recorded of 20 lay observers looking at photographs of faces of 20 children (age range, 5-19 years) with either protruding ears or ears morphed via computer software to appear nonprotruding. Subsequently, the observers rated 10 perceived personality traits based on the same photographs. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Visual fixation time on protruding vs nonprotruding ears was compared and correlated with observers' scores for personality traits. RESULTS Fixation time on protruding ears was significantly longer compared with that for morphed nonprotruding ears (mean [SD], 9.6% [5.6%] vs 5.8% [3.2%] of total fixation time, P = .04). The difference between the overall personality questionnaire scores and between individual scores for assiduousness, intelligence, and likeability was not significant for protruding and nonprotruding ears. Faces in which the protruding auricles received the highest percentage of vis...

Purpose We determine the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of structural and functional measurements to assess their sensitivity to detect progression in the various stages of glaucoma. Methods We calculated the CNRs for the mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and the mean deviation (MD) and visual field index (VFI) determined by standard automated perimetry for the transitions between five stages. Longitudinal data from healthy and glaucomatous eyes from a prospective study were used. Contrast was defined as the change in the mean value of the parameter between two successive stages. Noise was defined as the variability of the parameter and calculated from the residuals of linear regression on the data from five subsequent visits per eye. Results We studied 205 eyes from 125 participants (46% men, 54% women). CNRs for different parameters varied considerably across the range of disease severity (0.8–12.2). The RNFL thickness had a higher CNR in the transition from normal to mild glaucoma (12.2) compared to the CNRs of the functional measures (MD 4.1, VFI 4.5). The CNRs for the functional measures were higher in the transition from moderate to advanced (MD 5.2, VFI 5.8) and advanced to severe glaucoma (MD 7.2, VFI 5.8) compared to the RNFL thickness (CNR 0.8 and 3.2, respectively). Conclusions The RNFL thickness is more sensitive for detecting glaucomatous progression at the onset of glaucoma compared to the functional measures, while the latter are more sensitive for detecting progression in the later stages of glaucoma. Translational Relevance The CNR method can be used to determine which measurement is most sensitive for detecting progression in glaucoma, differentiated for the severity of the disease. Furthermore, it creates a basic toolset for determining the most sensitive measurement in detecting progression not only in glaucoma, but other (ophthalmic) diseases as well.

No abstract

Purpose To determine the sensitivity of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) for detecting glaucomatous progression in the superior and inferior hemiretina. Methods We calculated contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) for OCT retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness of hemiretinas and for SAP mean total deviation (MTD) of the corresponding hemifields from longitudinal data (205 eyes, 125 participants). The glaucoma stage for each hemiretina was based on the corresponding hemifield's MTD. Contrast was defined as the difference of the parameter between two consecutive glaucoma stages, whereas noise was the measurement variability of the parameter in those stages. The higher the CNR of a parameter, the more sensitive it is to detecting progression in the transition between successive stages. Results There were no statistically significant differences for the RNFL CNR and MTD CNR between superior and inferior hemiretinas. As the glaucoma stage of the opposite hemiretina worsened, the MTD CNR in the transition from moderate to advanced glaucoma significantly increased. The RNFL CNR in the transition from mild to moderate glaucoma significantly decreased in case of advanced glaucoma in the opposite hemiretina. Conclusions Similar to full retinas, detecting conversion to glaucoma in hemiretinas is more sensitive with OCT than SAP, whereas with more advanced disease, SAP is more sensitive for detecting progression. More importantly, the sensitivity for detecting progression in one hemiretina with either technique depends on the glaucoma severity in the opposite hemiretina. Translational Relevance Monitoring glaucomatous progression with either OCT or SAP partly depends on the glaucoma severity in the opposite hemiretina.