An approach to automated retinal layer segmentation in SDOCT images

The optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technique is a precise and well-known approach to the diagnosis of retinal layers. The pathological changes in the retina challenge the accuracy of computational segmentation approaches in the evaluation and identification of defects in the boundary layer. The layer segmentations and boundary detections are distorted by noise in the computation. In this work, we propose a fully automated segmentation algorithm using a denoising technique called the Boisterous Obscure Ratio (BOR) for human and mammal retina. First, the BOR is derived using noise detection, i.e., from the Robust Outlyingness Ratio (ROR). It is then applied to edge and layer detection using a gradient-based deformable contour model. Second, the image is vectorised. In this method, a cluster and column intensity grid is applied to identify and determine the unsegmented layers. Using the layer intensity and a region growth seed point algorithm, segmentation of the prominent layers is achieved. The automatic BOR method is an image segmentation process that determines the eight layers in retinal spectral domain optical coherence tomography images. The highlight of the BOR method is that the results produced are accurate, highly substantial, and effective, although time consuming.