Characterization of changes in Retinal Pigment Epithelium layer in Choroidal Neovascularization through analysis of Optical Coherence Tomographs

Abstract

Choroidal Neo-Vascularization (CNV) is a form of Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) which leads to severe central vision loss. Therefore, it is needed to analyze the alterations that occur during CNV by quantification of the changing parameters. In CNV, the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) layer undergoes many changes and could be recorded by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The highly reflective band, corresponding to the RPE and choriocapillaries visible in an OCT image, shows a fusiform thickening, loss of linearity, and disruption in CNV due to proliferation of new abnormal blood vessels there. This study characterizes the CNV related changes in the RPE layer. Initially by image processing, the RPE layer is segmented out and quantification of the features related to the mentioned changes is done through computing the Euler number, thickness standard deviation, mean thickness, maximum thickness and area of the RPE layer. There is a notable increase in the Euler number, thickness standard deviation, and maximum thickness during CNV.