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18 pages, 4836 KiB  
Article
Deep Learning to Analyze Spatter and Melt Pool Behavior During Additive Manufacturing
by Deepak Gadde, Alaa Elwany and Yang Du
Metals 2025, 15(8), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15080840 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 426
Abstract
To capture the complex metallic spatter and melt pool behavior during the rapid interaction between the laser and metal material, high-speed cameras are applied to record the laser powder bed fusion process and generate a large volume of image data. In this study, [...] Read more.
To capture the complex metallic spatter and melt pool behavior during the rapid interaction between the laser and metal material, high-speed cameras are applied to record the laser powder bed fusion process and generate a large volume of image data. In this study, four deep learning algorithms are applied: YOLOv5, Fast R-CNN, RetinaNet, and EfficientDet. They are trained by the recorded videos to learn and extract information on spatter and melt pool behavior during the laser powder bed fusion process. The well-trained models achieved high accuracy and low loss, demonstrating strong capability in accurately detecting and tracking spatter and melt pool dynamics. A stability index is proposed and calculated based on the melt pool length change rate. Greater index value reflects a more stable melt pool. We found that more spatters were detected for the unstable melt pool, while fewer spatters were found for the stable melt pool. The spatter’s size can affect its initial ejection speed, and large spatters are ejected slowly while small spatters are ejected rapidly. In addition, more than 58% of detected spatters have their initial ejection angle in the range of 60–120°. These findings provide a better understanding of spatter and melt pool dynamics and behavior, uncover the influence of melt pool stability on spatter formation, and demonstrate the correlation between the spatter size and its initial ejection speed. This work will contribute to the extraction of important information from high-speed recorded videos for additive manufacturing to reduce waste, lower cost, enhance part quality, and increase process reliability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning in Metal Additive Manufacturing)
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18 pages, 30309 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Widefield Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Angio-OCT Using an Add-On Lens
by Bartosz L. Sikorski
Diagnostics 2025, 15(13), 1697; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15131697 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 565
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of a prototype ultra-widefield (UWF) single-capture optical coherence tomography (OCT) lens developed to image large areas of the retina. Material and Methods: This study included OCT and angio-OCT measurements performed with a REVO FC [...] Read more.
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of a prototype ultra-widefield (UWF) single-capture optical coherence tomography (OCT) lens developed to image large areas of the retina. Material and Methods: This study included OCT and angio-OCT measurements performed with a REVO FC 130 (Optopol Technology, Poland) with an add-on widefield lens in a case series of 215 patients with retinal pathologies and 39 healthy subjects. The imaging width provided by the lens was 22 mm (covering a 110-degree field of view), while the scanning window height ranged from 2.8 to 6 mm. Results: The quality of the peripheral UWF OCT and angio-OCT images obtained by REVO FC 130 with the attachable lens is very good and sufficient for patient diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment planning. Both the boundaries of the non-perfusion zones and the location and extent of vascular proliferations can be accurately traced. Furthermore, the vitreoretinal interface can also be accurately assessed over a large area. The imaging quality of the macula with UWF OCT angiography is also good. The mean thickness measurement difference between a UWF and a standard 10 mm 3D retinal scan in a healthy individuals for the Central ETDRS sector was −1.37 ± 2.96 µm (the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) on Bland–Altman plots ranged from −6.82 to 2.43); for the Inferior Inner sector, it was −2.81 ± 1.09 µm (95% LoA, −4.94 to −0.68); for the Inferior Outer sector, it was −1.31 ± 2.58 µm (95% LoA, −6.38 to 3.75); for the Nasal Inner sector: −1.46 ± 1.19 µm (95% LoA, −3.79 to 0.88); for the Nasal Outer sector, it was −0.56 ± 2.61 µm (95% LoA, −5.67 to 4.55); for the Superior Inner sector, it was −2.71 ± 3.16 µm (95% LoA, −8.91 to 3.48); for the Superior Outer sector, it was −1.82 ± 1.39 µm (95% LoA, −4.55 to 0.91); for the Temporal Inner sector, it was −1.77 ± 2.24 µm (95% LoA, −6.16 to 2.62); for the Temporal Outer sector, it was −3.61 ± 1.43 µm (95% LoA, −6.41 to −0.81). Discussion: The proposed method of obtaining UWF OCT and UWF angio-OCT images using an add-on lens with the REVO FC 130 gives high-quality scans over the entire 110-degree field of view. This study also shows a high agreement of the ETDRS sector’s thickness measurements between UWF and standard retinal scans, which allows UWF to be used for quantitative macular thickness analysis. Considering its image quality, simplicity, and reliability, an add-on lens can be successfully used for the UWF OCT and OCT angiography evaluation of the retina on a daily basis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Images)
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28 pages, 2676 KiB  
Article
Improved Filter Designs Using Image Processing Techniques for Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) Types
by Fatma Akalın, Nilgün Özkan Aksoy, Dilara Top and Esma Kara
Symmetry 2025, 17(7), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17071046 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 457
Abstract
The eye is one of our five sense organs, where optical and neural structures are integrated. It works in synchrony with the brain, enabling the formation of meaningful images. However, lack of function, complete absence or structural abnormalities of cone cells in the [...] Read more.
The eye is one of our five sense organs, where optical and neural structures are integrated. It works in synchrony with the brain, enabling the formation of meaningful images. However, lack of function, complete absence or structural abnormalities of cone cells in the cone cells in the retina causes the emergence of types of Color Vision Deficiency (CVD). This deficiency is characterized by the lack of clear vision in the use of colors in the same region of the spectrum, and greatly affects the quality of life of the patient. Therefore, it is important to develop filters that enable colors to be combined successfully. In this study, an original filter design was improved, built on a five-stage systematic structure that complements and supports itself. But optimization regarding performance value needs to be tested with objective methods independent of human decision. Therefore, in order to provide performance analyses based on objective evaluation criteria, original and enhanced images simulated by patients with seven different Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) types were classified with the MobileNet transfer learning model. The classification results show that the developed final filter greatly improves the differences in color perception levels in both eyes. Thus, color stimulation between the two eyes is more balanced, and perceptual symmetry is created. With perceptual symmetry, environmental colors are perceived more consistently and distinguishably, and the visual difficulties encountered by color blind individuals in daily life are reduced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry in Computational Intelligence and Applications)
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10 pages, 1611 KiB  
Communication
Design of Eye Models for Quantitative Analysis of Interactions Between Ocular Aberrations and Intraocular Scattering
by Feng Rao, Lin Zhang, Xinheng Zhao, Jing Li, Jie Hou and Yan Wang
Photonics 2025, 12(7), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12070657 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 219
Abstract
Based on the widely used Gullstrand–Le Grand eye model, a scattering individual eye model was constructed with Zemax, which has individual ocular wavefront aberration and the scattering particles distributed in the eye. There are three main steps to build the model. Firstly, the [...] Read more.
Based on the widely used Gullstrand–Le Grand eye model, a scattering individual eye model was constructed with Zemax, which has individual ocular wavefront aberration and the scattering particles distributed in the eye. There are three main steps to build the model. Firstly, the Gullstand-Le Grand eye model was constructed, and converted into a non-sequential model. The axial lengths of all ocular components, and the corneal curvatures were input into the optical model. Secondly, a high-order aspheric surface-Zernike Fringe Sag surface was chosen to fit the wavefront aberrations measured with the ocular wavefront aberrometer. Thirdly, an embedded scattering lens within the crystalline lens was developed, of which parameters of scattering particles can be selected flexibly. The scattering individual eye model can be used to quantitatively investigate interaction between ocular aberrations and scattering light on retina image quality. The results demonstrated that when scattering particles were uniformly distributed across the optical pupil, MTFs at all spatial frequencies decreased proportionally with increasing particle density, independent of aberrations. When scattering particles were located in regions with smaller wavefront aberrations, the combined effect of scattering and aberrations synergistically degraded retinal image quality. In contrast, when particles were concentrated in zones of larger aberrations, the scattered light could partially compensate for the aberrational effects, leading to improved optical performance Full article
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18 pages, 3370 KiB  
Article
Exploring a Novel Anti-Inflammatory Therapy for Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Glyco-Zeolitic-Imidazolate Frameworks
by Elena Díaz-Paredes, Francisco Martín-Loro, Rocío Rodríguez-Marín, Laura Gómez-Jaramillo, Elena M. Sánchez-Fernández, Carolina Carrillo-Carrión and Ana I. Arroba
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(6), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17060791 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 688
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy is an ocular disease caused by changes in the expression of inflammatory mediators and increased oxidative stress in the retina and is the leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Currently, there is no treatment capable of reversing retinal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy is an ocular disease caused by changes in the expression of inflammatory mediators and increased oxidative stress in the retina and is the leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Currently, there is no treatment capable of reversing retinal damage, which represents a significant burden on the quality of life of patients. (1R)-1-Dodecylsulfonyl-5N,6O-oxomethylidenenojirimycin stands outs as a prototype of the sp2-iminoglycolipids family for its beneficial neuroprotective effect against this chronic eye disease. Critical issues related to the low solubility and bioavailability of this glycolipid in biological settings are overcome by its encapsulation in a Zeolitic-Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) structure, resulting in homogeneous and biocompatible GlycoZIF nanoparticles. Cell studies show an enhanced cellular uptake compared with the free glycolipid, and importantly, its bioactivity is preserved once released inside cells. Methods: Extensive in vitro and ex vivo assays with diabetic retinopathy models unveil the mechanistic pathways of the designed GlycoZIF. Results: A reduction in proinflammatory mediators, increased heme oxygenase-1 level, inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and reduced reactive gliosis is shown. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate for the first time the potential of Glyco-modified ZIFs for the treatment of diabetes-related ocular problems by controlling the immune-mediated inflammatory response. Full article
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15 pages, 5968 KiB  
Article
A Comparison of Ultra-Widefield Imaging Quality Obtained with Zeiss Clarus and Optos for Virtual Medical Retina Services
by Matthew Azzopardi, Sneha Gridhar, Chrysanthi Tsika, Georgios Koutsocheras, Michail Katzakis, Bahar Demir, Waheeda Rahman, Ling Zhi Heng, Yu Jeat Chong and Abison Logeswaran
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(10), 3270; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103270 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 741
Abstract
Background: Virtual clinics (VCs) have proven to be an effective solution for the increasing strain on Medical Retina (MR) services, although imaging quality issues (IQIs) persist. Our aim was to compare the quality of two ultra-wide-field (UWF) imaging modalities (Optos and Clarus) in [...] Read more.
Background: Virtual clinics (VCs) have proven to be an effective solution for the increasing strain on Medical Retina (MR) services, although imaging quality issues (IQIs) persist. Our aim was to compare the quality of two ultra-wide-field (UWF) imaging modalities (Optos and Clarus) in real-world MR-VC settings. Methods: We conducted a real-world, prospective study. Data were collected from 6 Moorfields NHS Trust MR-VCs between September and October 2024. We obtained patient demographics and characteristics, primary diagnosis, UWF imaging types and images obtained, and follow-up outcomes. Results: Optos (California RG/RGB, and Monaco) was used for 56.7% (n = 152) and Zeiss Clarus 500 for 43.3% (n = 116) of the total cohort (n = 268). No statistically significant difference (p = 0.14) was found between the two in terms of the rates of IQIs. FAF (p = 0.001) acquisition was significantly higher when Optos was used. Of the patients affected by IQIs, 10 were examined in a face-to-face clinic (F2FC). No difference in IQI rates was observed when pathology-related poor image quality was considered (p = 0.561). A significantly (p = 0.001) higher rate of F2F follow-ups was found for red-flag pathologies and unexplained vision loss, with a statistically significantly higher rate of virtual follow-ups for non-red-flag pathologies (p = 0.001). Conclusions: A total of 7.5% of the clinical decisions were impacted by IQIs; 11.1% of F2FC follow-ups. Neither UWF imaging modality type was inferior in terms of IQI rates. FAF acquisition was higher with Optos, likely representing greater user-dependency for Clarus. The outcomes were not influenced by FAF acquisition, indicating that routine acquisition is not required in MR-VCs and instead should be obtained when clinically required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
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11 pages, 214 KiB  
Article
Retinal Vascularity in Military Pilots in Relation to the Type of Aircraft, Flight Altitude and Total Hours of Flight
by Justyna Mędrzycka, Grzegorz Rotuski, Radosław Różycki and Joanna Gołębiewska
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(8), 2671; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082671 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 563
Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to assess retinal circulation in military pilots, as well as to determine the relationship between the type of aircraft, flight altitude, total hours of flight time and parameters of retinal circulation, using OCT angiography (OCT-A). [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of the study was to assess retinal circulation in military pilots, as well as to determine the relationship between the type of aircraft, flight altitude, total hours of flight time and parameters of retinal circulation, using OCT angiography (OCT-A). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 44 military pilots and 44 controls. The inclusion criteria encompassed healthy adult men. Due to the fact that military pilots cannot suffer from any vision defects or any other eye disease, the exclusion criteria concerned the control group and included refractive error exceeding −3 diopters (D) and +3 D and concomitant eye diseases, such as any retinal or choroidal pathologies, glaucoma, uveitis. The exclusion criteria for both groups were low-quality OCT-A images. Subsequently, the results of the measurements obtained for 176 eyes were included in further descriptive and multivariate analyses, of which 88 were in the pilot group versus 88 in the comparison group. Results: The total vessel density in superficial and deep capillary plexuses was significantly decreased (p = 0.0176, p < 0.0001, resp.) the longer the flight experience, particularly in the parafoveal region (p = 0.0299 and p < 0.0001, resp.). Moreover, the foveal avascular zone area was significantly increased proportionally to the total hours of flight (p = 0.0083). Also, the total vessel density was increased with a higher flight altitude in the deep capillary plexus (p = 0.0042), especially in the parafoveal region (p = 0.0110). Conclusions: Gravitational forces manifesting in the unique conditions of the flight of military pilots seem to induce microvascular changes in the retina. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Retinal Diseases: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment)
16 pages, 1925 KiB  
Review
Link Between Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, and Eye Diseases
by Kamila Pieńczykowska, Anna Bryl and Małgorzata Mrugacz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052174 - 28 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2211
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS)—a cluster of conditions including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance—is increasingly recognized as a key risk factor for the development of various eye diseases. The metabolic dysfunctions associated with this syndrome contribute to vascular and neurodegenerative damage within the eye, [...] Read more.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS)—a cluster of conditions including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance—is increasingly recognized as a key risk factor for the development of various eye diseases. The metabolic dysfunctions associated with this syndrome contribute to vascular and neurodegenerative damage within the eye, influencing disease onset and progression. Understanding these links highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management of metabolic syndrome to prevent vision loss and improve ocular health outcomes. This review explores the intricate interplay between metabolic syndrome, chronic low-grade inflammation, and eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome. It highlights how inflammatory mediators, oxidative damage, and metabolic dysregulation converge to compromise ocular structures, including the retina, optic nerve, and ocular surface. We discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning these associations and examine evidence from clinical and experimental studies. Given the rising global prevalence of metabolic syndrome, addressing this connection is crucial for improving overall patient outcomes and quality of life. Future research should focus on delineating the precise mechanisms linking these diseases as well as exploring targeted interventions that address both metabolic and ocular health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Metabolic Syndrome)
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44 pages, 3233 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Ocular Neuro-Prosthetics: Bridging Neuroscience and Information and Communication Technology for Vision Restoration
by Daniele Giansanti
Biology 2025, 14(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020134 - 28 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3172
Abstract
Background: Neuroprosthetics for vision restoration have advanced significantly, incorporating technologies like retinal implants, cortical implants, and non-invasive stimulation methods. These advancements hold the potential to tackle major challenges in visual prosthetics, such as enhancing functionality, improving biocompatibility, and enabling real-time object recognition. Aim: [...] Read more.
Background: Neuroprosthetics for vision restoration have advanced significantly, incorporating technologies like retinal implants, cortical implants, and non-invasive stimulation methods. These advancements hold the potential to tackle major challenges in visual prosthetics, such as enhancing functionality, improving biocompatibility, and enabling real-time object recognition. Aim: The aim of this review overview is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the latest advancements in ocular neuroprostheses. Methods: A narrative review was conducted, focusing on the latest developments in visual neuroprosthetics. Comprehensive searches were carried out on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus using specific keywords. A specific narrative checklist was applied, alongside a tailored quality assessment methodology, to evaluate the quality of the studies included. A total of sixteen relevant studies from the past three years were included in the review. Results and discussion: The integration of artificial retinas, cortical implants, high technology-enabled prosthetics, gene therapies, nanotechnology, and bioprinting has shown significant promise in enhancing the quality and functionality of vision restoration systems, offering potential to address complex visual impairments and improve independence and mobility for individuals with blindness. These innovations appear to have the potential to transform healthcare systems in the future by enabling more efficient and personalized therapies and prosthetic devices. However, challenges such as energy efficiency, scalability, and the neural dynamics of vision restoration persist, requiring continued interdisciplinary collaboration to refine these technologies, overcome ethical and regulatory hurdles, and ensure their effectiveness in real-world applications. Conclusions: While visual neuroprosthetics have made remarkable progress, addressing challenges related to energy consumption and regulatory and ethical concerns will be crucial for ensuring that neuroprosthetic devices can effectively meet the needs of individuals with visual impairments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Convergence of Neuroscience and ICT: From Data to Insights)
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18 pages, 6383 KiB  
Article
Automating Dataset Generation for Object Detection in the Construction Industry with AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
by Erik Araya-Aliaga, Edison Atencio, Fidel Lozano and José Lozano-Galant
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030410 - 28 Jan 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2355
Abstract
The construction industry is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity and safety, with object detection in visual data serving as a vital tool. However, developing robust object detection models demands extensive, high-quality datasets, which are often difficult to generate and maintain [...] Read more.
The construction industry is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity and safety, with object detection in visual data serving as a vital tool. However, developing robust object detection models demands extensive, high-quality datasets, which are often difficult to generate and maintain in construction due to the dynamic and complex nature of job sites. This paper presents an innovative approach to automating dataset generation using robotic process automation (RPA) and generative AI techniques, specifically, DALL-E 2. This approach not only accelerates dataset creation but also improves model performance by delivering balanced, high-quality inputs. To validate the proposed methodology, a case study of a building construction site is conducted. In this study, three commonly used convolutional neural network architectures—RetinaNet, Faster R-CNN, and YOLOv5—are trained with the artificially generated dataset to automate the identification of formworks and rebars during construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)
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23 pages, 7348 KiB  
Review
Advancing Insights into Pediatric Macular Diseases: A Comprehensive Review
by Lucia Ambrosio, Tatiana Perepelkina, Abdelrahman M. Elhusseiny, Anne B. Fulton and Jose Efren Gonzalez Monroy
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(2), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020614 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1519
Abstract
Pediatric macular disorders are a diverse group of inherited retinal diseases characterized by central vision loss due to dysfunction and degeneration of the macula, the region of the retina responsible for high-acuity vision. Common disorders in this category include Stargardt disease, Best vitelliform [...] Read more.
Pediatric macular disorders are a diverse group of inherited retinal diseases characterized by central vision loss due to dysfunction and degeneration of the macula, the region of the retina responsible for high-acuity vision. Common disorders in this category include Stargardt disease, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, and X-linked retinoschisis. These conditions often manifest during childhood or adolescence, with symptoms such as progressive central vision loss, photophobia, and difficulty with fine visual tasks. Underlying mechanisms involve genetic mutations that disrupt photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium function, accumulating toxic byproducts, impaired ion channel activity, or structural degeneration. Advances in imaging modalities like optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence have improved diagnostic accuracy and disease monitoring. Emerging therapies are transforming the treatment landscape. Gene therapy and genome editing hold promise for addressing the genetic basis of these disorders, while stem cell-based approaches and pharmacological interventions aim to restore retinal function and mitigate damage. Personalized medicine, driven by genomic sequencing, offers the potential for tailored interventions. Despite current challenges, ongoing research into molecular mechanisms, advanced imaging, and innovative therapies provides hope for improving outcomes and quality of life in children with macular disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Pediatrics)
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23 pages, 104931 KiB  
Article
Applications of the FusionScratchNet Algorithm Based on Convolutional Neural Networks and Transformer Models in the Detection of Cell Phone Screen Scratches
by Zhihong Cao, Kun Liang, Sheng Tang and Cheng Zhang
Electronics 2025, 14(1), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14010134 - 31 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 886
Abstract
Screen defect detection has become a crucial research domain, propelled by the growing necessity of precise and effective quality control in mobile device production. This study presents the FusionScratchNet (FS-Net), a novel algorithm developed to overcome the challenges of noise interference and to [...] Read more.
Screen defect detection has become a crucial research domain, propelled by the growing necessity of precise and effective quality control in mobile device production. This study presents the FusionScratchNet (FS-Net), a novel algorithm developed to overcome the challenges of noise interference and to characterize indistinct defects and subtle scratches on mobile phone screens. By integrating the transformer and convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, FS-Net effectively captures both global and local features, thereby enhancing feature representation. The global–local feature integrator (GLFI) module effectively fuses global and local information through unique channel splitting, feature dependency characterization, and attention mechanisms, thereby enhancing target features and suppressing noise. The bridge attention (BA) module calculates an attention feature map based on the multi-layer fused features, precisely focusing on scratch characteristics and recovering details lost during downsampling. Evaluations using the PKU-Market-Phone dataset demonstrated an overall accuracy of 98.04%, an extended intersection over union (EIoU) of 88.03%, and an F1-score of 65.13%. In comparison to established methods like you only look once (YOLO) and retina network (RetinaNet), FS-Net demonstrated enhanced detection accuracy, computational efficiency, and resilience against noise. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method effectively enhances the accuracy of scratch segmentation. Full article
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16 pages, 2225 KiB  
Review
Beyond Longer Intervals: Advocating for Regular Treatment of Neovascular AMD
by Alexandra K. Gilligan and David J. Ramsey
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010057 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Personalizing the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) poses significant challenges for practicing retina specialists and their patients. This commentary addresses some of these complexities, particularly those that arise in the context of an expanding array of intravitreal agents targeting vascular endothelial [...] Read more.
Personalizing the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) poses significant challenges for practicing retina specialists and their patients. This commentary addresses some of these complexities, particularly those that arise in the context of an expanding array of intravitreal agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and related retinal disease targets. Many of these newer agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of nAMD have labeling that indicates that they can provide non-inferior visual outcomes when compared head-to-head with previously available treatments and can be used at significantly extended dosing intervals in some patients. It can be difficult to know if patients should be transitioned to these agents, especially those who are doing well on existing therapies. Although offering extended intervals may be appropriate for some patients with excellent disease control, retina specialists know that undertreatment risks the loss of visual acuity (VA). It can also be challenging for clinicians to interpret the results delivered by clinical trial treatment protocols compared with what is likely to occur in real-world office settings. Many retina specialists use less liberal treatment paradigms than employed in clinical study protocols and consequently many patients experience shorter injection intervals. Since VA is most closely linked to quality of life, it should be prioritized compared with other endpoints. The authors advocate for maintaining consistent treatment schedules dictated by disease control instead of switching therapies even in the presence of small amounts of macular fluid that may occur with longer injection intervals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
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19 pages, 1126 KiB  
Review
Retinal Inflammation and Reactive Müller Cells: Neurotrophins’ Release and Neuroprotective Strategies
by Bijorn Omar Balzamino, Andrea Cacciamani, Lucia Dinice, Michela Cecere, Francesca Romana Pesci, Guido Ripandelli and Alessandra Micera
Biology 2024, 13(12), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121030 - 9 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
Millions of people worldwide suffer from retinal disorders. Retinal diseases require prompt attention to restore function or reduce progressive impairments. Genetics, epigenetics, life-styling/quality and external environmental factors may contribute to developing retinal diseases. In the physiological retina, some glial cell types sustain neuron [...] Read more.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from retinal disorders. Retinal diseases require prompt attention to restore function or reduce progressive impairments. Genetics, epigenetics, life-styling/quality and external environmental factors may contribute to developing retinal diseases. In the physiological retina, some glial cell types sustain neuron activities by guaranteeing ion homeostasis and allowing effective interaction in synaptic transmission. Upon insults, glial cells interact with neuronal and the other non-neuronal retinal cells, at least in part counteracting the biomolecular changes that may trigger retinal complications and vision loss. Several epigenetic and oxidative stress mechanisms are quickly activated to release factors that in concert with growth, fibrogenic and angiogenic factors can influence the overall microenvironment and cell-to-cell response. Reactive Müller cells participate by secreting neurotrophic/growth/angiogenic factors, cytokines/chemokines, cytotoxic/stress molecules and neurogenic inflammation peptides. Any attempt to maintain/restore the physiological condition can be interrupted by perpetuating insults, vascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Herein, we critically revise the current knowledge on the cell-to-cell and cell-to-mediator interplay between Müller cells, astrocytes and microglia, with respect to pro-con modulators and neuroprotective/detrimental activities, as observed by using experimental models or analyzing ocular fluids, altogether contributing a new point of view to the field of research on precision medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cell Biology)
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9 pages, 3908 KiB  
Proceeding Paper
Automated Glaucoma Detection in Fundus Images Using Comprehensive Feature Extraction and Advanced Classification Techniques
by Vijaya Kumar Velpula, Jyothisri Vadlamudi, Purna Prakash Kasaraneni and Yellapragada Venkata Pavan Kumar
Eng. Proc. 2024, 82(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecsa-11-20437 - 25 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 742
Abstract
Glaucoma, a primary cause of irreversible blindness, necessitates early detection to prevent significant vision loss. In the literature, fundus imaging is identified as a key tool in diagnosing glaucoma, which captures detailed retina images. However, the manual analysis of these images can be [...] Read more.
Glaucoma, a primary cause of irreversible blindness, necessitates early detection to prevent significant vision loss. In the literature, fundus imaging is identified as a key tool in diagnosing glaucoma, which captures detailed retina images. However, the manual analysis of these images can be time-consuming and subjective. Thus, this paper presents an automated system for glaucoma detection using fundus images, combining diverse feature extraction methods with advanced classifiers, specifically Support Vector Machine (SVM) and AdaBoost. The pre-processing step incorporated image enhancement via Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) to enhance image quality and feature extraction. This work investigated individual features such as the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG), local binary patterns (LBP), chip histogram features, and the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), as well as their various combinations, including HOG + LBP + chip histogram + GLCM, HOG + LBP + chip histogram, and others. These features were utilized with SVM and Adaboost classifiers to improve classification performance. For validation, the ACRIMA dataset, a public fundus image collection comprising 369 glaucoma-affected and 309 normal images, was used in this work, with 80% of the data allocated for training and 20% for testing. The results of the proposed study show that different feature sets yielded varying accuracies with the SVM and Adaboost classifiers. For instance, the combination of LBP + chip histogram achieved the highest accuracy of 99.29% with Adaboost, while the same combination yielded a 65.25% accuracy with SVM. The individual feature LBP alone achieved 97.87% with Adaboost and 98.58% with SVM. Furthermore, the combination of GLCM + LBP provided a 98.58% accuracy with Adaboost and 97.87% with SVM. The results demonstrate that CLAHE and combined feature sets significantly enhance detection accuracy, providing a reliable tool for early and precise glaucoma diagnosis, thus facilitating timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. Full article
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