Automatic measurement and evaluation of anterior segment anatomical structures via UBM images using a deep learning-based approach

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: P < 0.001 for correlation with postoperative vault

• Effect Size: ICC exceeding 0.978 for all measurements

• Primary Outcome: Measurement accuracy of anterior segment parameters using deep learning compared to reference standards

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Mean Euclidean distance of 67.65 ± 54.25 μm across all anatomical landmarks with relative error below 1.7%

• Confidence Interval: 95% CI: 0.975 to 0.985 for key parameters (ACD, pupil diameter, sulcus-to-sulcus distance)

Clinical Application

Requires UBM imaging capability and computational resources for deep learning implementation Relevant to Australian ophthalmology practices offering ICL surgery. Technology could enhance precision of preoperative planning, potentially reducing revision rates and improving patient outcomes. Implementation would require TGA consideration for software as medical device. Patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for ICL surgery, particularly those requiring precise anterior segment biometry

Abstract

PURPOSE: To develop a deep-learning model capable of measuring essential anterior segment (AS) parameters derived from preoperative ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images of candidates for implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery. SETTING: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective study. METHODS: A dataset comprising 1,480 preoperative panoramic UBM images taken from 638 eyes of 320 subjects was collected and was divided into training and testing subsets at a proportion of 7:3. Using the YOLOv8-pose algorithm, the model identified ten anatomical key point coordinates and computed six relevant AS parameters. Both manual and anterior segment optical coherence tomography-based non-contact measurements served as reference standards for evaluating the model's accuracy. The relationship between postoperative vault and preoperative parameters measured by the model was analyzed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: On the test dataset, the model achieved an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) exceeding 0.978, with a mean Euclidean distance of 67.65 ± 54.25 μm across all point locations. The ICC values for anterior chamber depth (ACD), pupil diameter, and sulcus-to-sulcus distance were above 0.980 (95% CI: 0.975 to 0.985), with average relative error below 1.7%. Additionally, postoperative vault at one month was significantly correlated with model-measured parameters, including crystalline lens rise, iris concavity, and ACD (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study introduces a robust program capable of quantitatively measuring AS parameters with accuracy comparable to that of experienced ophthalmologists. The findings provide valuable guidance for ICL sizing and vault prediction.

References

1. 1.Chen, S., Chu, X., Pazo, E. E., Huang, Y., Liu, H., Zhang, C., Yang, R., & Zhao, S. (2026). Automatic measurement and evaluation of anterior segment anatomical structures via UBM images using a deep learning-based approach. Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.3928/1081597X-20200513-02