A Hybrid Genetic Algorithm based Fuzzy Approach for Abnormal Retinal Image Classification

Introduction

Abnormal retinal image classification system is highly essential in the field of ophthalmology. Classification is a type of pattern recognition system which categorizes the different types of diseases. The effects of the eye abnormalities are mostly gradual in nature which shows the necessity for an accurate abnormality identification system. Most of the ophthalmologists depend on the visual interpretation for the identification of the types of diseases. But, inaccurate diagnosis will change the course of treatment planning which leads to fatal results. Hence, there is a requirement for a bias free automated system which yields highly accurate results. Besides being accurate, the system should be effective in terms of convergence rate which is highly essential for real time applications.

Automating the classification process is a challenging task. Besides being automated, the technique should be accurate and robust. Several computer assisted methods have been proposed for the classification and quantification of brain tumors. Vector fields based pathology identification in retinal images is available in the literature (Benson, 2008). But this technique yields superior results only if the abnormality is highly visible. Contrast enhancement based abnormality detection in retinal images has been implemented (Alan et al., 2006). The drawback of this system is the over estimation of the contrast in the image. Literature survey also reveals the application of wavelet transform for abnormality detection in retinal images (Quellec et al., 2008). The availability of other superior transforms shows the scope for improvement of this technique. Image processing based techniques are also used for retinal exudates detection (Osareh et al., 2003). Diabetic retinopathy detection is also successfully implemented using machine learning techniques (Niemeijer et al., 2007). Though these techniques are highly impressive, they fail to incorporate the intelligence techniques which have proved to be much better than the image processing techniques.

The intelligence techniques form the subset of cognitive informatics which is the emerging trend in the area of engineering. The theoretical framework of cognitive informatics is proposed by (Wang, 2007). The concept of intelligence techniques is analyzed in detail in this report. The difference between the natural intelligence techniques and the artificial intelligence techniques is explained with the mathematical theorems. The foundation of autonomic computing is also explained by (Wang, 2007). Autonomic computing is the branch of artificial intelligence techniques which mainly deals with automation. The work proposed in this paper is also an automated system and hence it is closely related to cognitive informatics. The recent advances in the area of cognitive informatics is demonstrated by (Wang, 2007; Kisner, 2007). These artificial intelligence techniques which comprise the concepts of cognitive informatics can be used for various applications including the medical field. In this work, the application of intelligence techniques for eye disease identification is explored.