Multimodal and multi-omics-based deep learning model for screening of optic neuropathy

Purpose: To examine the use of multimodal data and multi-omics strategies for optic nerve disease screening. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study. A deep learning model was created from fundus photography and infrared reflectance (IR) images of patients with diabetic optic neuropathy, glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and optic neuritis. Patients who were seen at the Ophthalmology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in Jiangxi Province from November 2019 to April 2023 were included in this study. The data were analyzed in single and multimodal modes following the traditional omics, Resnet101, and fusion models. The accuracy and area-under-the-curve (AUC) of each model were compared. Results: A total of 312 images fundus and infrared fundus photographs were collected from 156 patients. When multi-modal data was used, the accuracy of the traditional omics mode, Resnet101, and fusion models with the training set were 0.97, 0.98, and 0.99, respectively. The accuracy of the same models with the test sets were 0.72, 0.87, and 0.88, respectively. We compared single- and multi-mode states by applying the data to the different groups in the learning model. In the traditional omics model, the macro-average AUCs of the features extracted from fundus photography, IR images, and multimodal data were 0.94, 0.90, and 0.96, respectively. When the same data were processed in the Resnet101 model, the scores were 0.97 equally. However, when multimodal data was utilized, the macro-average AUCs in the traditional omics, Resnet101, and fusion modesl were 0.96, 0.97, and 0.99, respectively. Conclusion: The deep learning model based on multimodal data and multi-omics strategies can improve the accuracy of screening and diagnosing diabetic optic neuropathy, glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and optic neuritis.