Since the early 1980’s, many studies have been initiated worldwide to develop advanced systems for the automated detection and follow-up of diabetic retinopathy, the first cause of blindness in people between 25 and 65 years old.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories these systems, based on automatic image processing, mainly consist in tools for detecting and measuring common lesions (such as microaneurysms, exudates, hemorrhages) and in indexing and automated retrieval techniques applied to image databases.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories

In view of the numerous studies already available, the major issue is now to assess accurately and objectively the results that have been obtained so far.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories this problem is far from being solved due to the lack of a large and adequate database accessible to the scientific community. The size of the available databases described in literature is clinically inadequate to allow this kind of assessment.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories

The two main databases will contain color images of the retina, acquired using a retinograph with or without pupil dilation during routine clinical examinations.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories these examinations will be performed in the four ophthalmology departments involved in the program. To make their diagnosis, ophthalmologists are generally using a central picture and two peripheral pictures of the retina.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories we will proceed in the same way and we will record the three images in the databases. However, during the messidor project, only the central image will be annotated.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories

For the individual marking of microaneurysms, images will be annotated by two specialists in each ophthalmology department. If there is only a slight difference between departments, we will retain the marking proposed by the department that has provided the images; if there is a significant difference, we will try to reach an agreement between the different departments and/or new rules for selecting microaneurysms will be proposed.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories

Before adopting a given metrics, we have first to consider the audience to which this evaluation is intended, in other words the people who may be interested in the obtained results.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories we will first address the medical community. Therefore we must select a metrics that is commonly used in the medical field in the evaluation as well as in the presentation of the results.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories second, this work is intended to the scientific researchers who develop automatic image processing methods. Then we will have to select the metrics used by these scientists.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories we propose to compute and describe the results in two different ways: by applying first the performance measurements used by physicians, and second the more detailed statistics commonly used in image processing.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories the analysis – quantization algorithms will be applied to all the images of the evaluation database. We will do the same for the indexing – retrieval algorithms for which every image of the evaluation database will serve as the requested image.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories

Comparison and evaluation criteria applied to retrieval performances (precision / recall). These measurements will be done from the annotations concerning the stage of seriousness of diabetic retinopathy.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories and to evaluate segmentation – quantization algorithms, we will assess their sensitivity and specificity with respect to the detection of microaneurysms, exudates and hemorrhages that have been marked individually by ophthalmologists.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories expected results

• establish a strong collaboration between the messidor partners to foster the development of practical, supported, software products to be used in tracking-down services, telemedicine, pathology tracking, and as a diagnostic aid in the field of diabetic retinopathy.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories the successful accomplishment of the messidor project goals will be a major breakthrough in the field of public health and the treatment of eye disease.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories

After the research campaign, the databases will be accessible to the scientific community by signed agreements taking into account any related legal constraints.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories the value and industrialization of the software tools will be developed according to the rules defined and adopted by all the partners in the exploitation plan which will soon be elaborated.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories the value of indexing and retrieval algorithms and methods will also be developed in internet teaching applications. This could be another important benefit of messidor program.Behavioral and cognitive learning theories