Purpose
Artificial intelligence (AI) methods are changing all areas of research and have a variety of capabilities of analysis in ophthalmology, specifically in visual fields (VFs) to detect or predict vision loss progression. Whereas most of the AI algorithms are implemented in Python language, which offers numerous open-source functions and algorithms, the majority of algorithms in VF analysis are offered in the R language. This paper introduces
PyVisualFields
, a developed package to address this gap and make available VF analysis in the Python language.
Methods
For the first version, the R libraries for VF analysis provided by
vfprogression
and
visualFields
packages are analyzed to define the overlaps and distinct functions. Then, we defined and translated this functionality into Python with the help of the wrapper library
rpy2
. Besides maintaining, the subsequent versions’ milestones are established, and the third version will be R-independent.
Results
The developed Python package is available as open-source software via the GitHub repository and is ready to be installed from
PyPI
. Several
Jupyter
notebooks are prepared to demonstrate and describe the capabilities of the
PyVisualFields
package in the categories of data presentation, normalization and deviation analysis, plotting, scoring, and progression analysis.
Conclusions
We developed a Python package and demonstrated its functionality for VF analysis and facilitating ophthalmic research in VF statistical analysis, illustration, and progression prediction.
Translational Relevance
Using this software package, researchers working on VF analysis can more quickly create algorithms for clinical applications using cutting-edge AI techniques.