Deep learning aided measurement of outer retinal layer metrics as biomarkers for inherited retinal degenerations: opportunities and challenges

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review was to provide a summary of currently available retinal imaging and visual function testing methods for assessing inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), with the emphasis on the application of deep learning (DL) approaches to assist the determination of structural biomarkers for IRDs.

Recent findings: (clinical trials for IRDs; discover effective biomarkers as endpoints; DL applications in processing retinal images to detect disease-related structural changes).

Summary: Assessing photoreceptor loss is a direct way to evaluate IRDs. Outer retinal layer structures, including outer nuclear layer, ellipsoid zone, photoreceptor outer segment, RPE, are potential structural biomarkers for IRDs. More work may be needed on structure and function relationship.