In 2024 Diabetes Research Western Australia awarded a grant to the project Harmonisation of Western Australia multi-site optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) datasets for new biomarker discovery and application in diabetic retinopathy. The project aims to introduce and validate a data analysis framework so datasets from multiple clinics in Western Australia can be combined and analysed to identify more sensitive biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy.
The project is led by Dr Danuta (Danka) Sampson from Lions Eye Institute and the University of Western Australia and supported by co-investigators A/Prof. Fred Chen (Lions Eye Institute), A/Prof. Angus Turner (Lions Outback Vision), Dr Jeremiah Lim (University of Western Australia) and Dr Mark Chia (University College London).
Update provided by the research team:
We are halfway through our research project, the Harmonisation of Western Australian, multi-site optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) datasets for new biomarker discovery and application in diabetic retinopathy, funded by DRWA. The project aims to validate a data analysis framework to harmonise OCTA datasets collected at Western Australian clinics. The harmonised datasets will generate preliminary data on OCTA-derived microvascular biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy in Western Australians.
We have made good progress in establishing the necessary groundwork to achieve our research goals. We have reviewed over 1,000 retinal images captured using OCTA in Lions Eye Institute (Perth) and Lions Outback Vision (Broome). From this, we’ve established a dataset of 400 high-quality OCTA images of Western Australians with and without diabetic retinopathy that will be used to test and refine harmonisation models. Additionally, we have recruited 70 healthy volunteers and imaged them using three different OCTA instruments. These images will help validate the harmonisation models we are working on.
The next steps will be the implementing and refining of computer models that harmonise data between instruments and generate pilot data on OCTA-based biomarkers (medical signs) of diabetic retinopathy. We also look forward to continuing to work with our CCI group towards the completion of the current project and designing follow-up research.
