PubMed ID: 20921928
Author(s): Li HK, Florez-Arango JF, Hubbard LD, Esquivel A, Danis RP, Krupinski EA. Grading diabetic retinopathy severity from compressed digital retinal images compared with uncompressed images and film. Retina. 2010 Nov-Dec;30(10):1651-61. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e3181e3790b. PMID 20921928
Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.), Volume 30, Issue 10, 2010
PURPOSE To compare research grading of diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity level from compressed digital images versus uncompressed images and film.
METHODS Compressed (JPEG2000, 37:1) digital images (C) were compared with uncompressed digital (U) and film (F) stereoscopic photographs from a 152-eye cohort with full-spectrum Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study severity levels for agreement on severity level, DR presence with ascending severity threshold, presence of DR index lesions, and repeatability of grading.
RESULTS Classification of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study severity levels from C images agreed substantially with results from F images (κ = 0.60, κ(w) [linear weighted] = 0.86) and uncompressed digital images (κ = 0.76, κ(w) = 0.92). For agreement of uncompressed digital versus F images, κ = 0.62 and κ(w) = 0.86. Distribution of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study levels was not significantly different between C and F images (P = 0.09, Bhapkar’s test for marginal homogeneity). For presence/absence of DR at 8 ascending severity thresholds, agreement between C and F was “almost perfect” (κ ≥ 0.8). Agreement on severity level between readers with C images was at least as good as that with uncompressed digital image or F. Repeatability of severity threshold grading between readers was similar using C or F images. For identifying individual DR lesions, agreement between C and F ranged from “moderate” to “perfect.” Agreement of grading venous beading from C was slightly lower than from F.
CONCLUSION Full Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale DR severity level grading using C images is comparable to that using U images or film.