Groundbreaking Advances in Imaging Technologies and Machine Learning to Reanalyze OHTS Data | Leveraging Modern Techniques to Enhance Glaucoma Risk Assessment
July 2, 2025 – St. Louis, MO: A new publication in JAMA Ophthalmology led by James C. Liu, MD, glaucoma specialist at WashU Medicine, highlights the transformative potential of deep learning and artificial intelligence in glaucoma risk detection. The study, titled “Predicting Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness From Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study Optic Disc Photographs,” provides novel insights into the natural progression of ocular hypertension utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging combined with predicted OCT data generated by sophisticated machine-to-machine (M2M) deep learning algorithms.
Reimagining Historical Data with Modern Tools
When the OHTS first commenced, researchers relied heavily on the tools available at the time—primarily fundus photographs—to track ocular hypertension and its potential evolution into glaucoma. Today, the incorporation of OCT imaging has opened new avenues for understanding, allowing for more detailed and accurate measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).
Dr. James C. Liu, MD, elaborates, “In our latest paper, we demonstrate that predicted RNFL values derived from fundus photographs can be effectively utilized in both baseline and longitudinal assessments of glaucoma risk. This technique marks a significant advancement from previous methodologies, offering the potential for earlier and more reliable detection of disease progression.”
Harnessing the Power of Machine Learning
Machine learning’s role in reanalyzing the OHTS data cannot be overstated. M2M deep learning algorithms have been deployed to predict OCT data from historical optic disc photographs, thereby simulating modern imaging capabilities that were absent during the original study period. This innovative approach enables researchers to revisit and reinterpret data, uncovering hidden patterns and insights that were previously inaccessible.
Implications for Glaucoma Detection
The study’s findings suggest that the early and accurate prediction of RNFL thickness could transform how clinicians assess and manage glaucoma risk. By leveraging machine learning-generated data, healthcare providers can potentially identify disease progression at an earlier stage, allowing for timely intervention and better patient outcomes.
Publication and Further Reading
For a detailed exploration of our methodology and findings, please refer to our study: Predicting Retinal Nerve Fiber Thickness From Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study Optic Disc Photographs. We invite clinicians, researchers, and interested individuals to delve into our comprehensive data and analyses to understand the far-reaching implications of this innovative approach.
About Dr. James C. Liu
James Liu, MD
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Director of Surgical Training and Skills Lab
Dr. James C. Liu is an accomplished ophthalmologist at WashU Medicine, specializing in glaucoma care, cataract surgery, and comprehensive eye care. He offers a range of treatments, including medical treatment, traditional and laser surgeries, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). Dr. Liu is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through both clinical excellence and research innovation.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.