Classification Maps: A New Mathematical Tool Supporting the Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Objective: A new diagnostic graphical tool-classification maps-supporting the detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has been constructed. Methods: The classification maps are constructed using the ordinal regression model. In the ordinal regression model, the ordinal variable (the dependent variable) is the degree of the advancement of AMD. The other variables, such as CRT (Central Retinal Thickness), GCC (Ganglion Cell Complex), MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density), ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study), Snellen and Age have also been used in the analysis and are represented on the axes of the maps. Results: Here, 132 eyes were examined and classified to the AMD advancement level according to the four-point Age-Related Eye Disease Scale (AREDS): AREDS 1, AREDS 2, AREDS 3 and AREDS 4. These data were used for the creation of two-dimensional classification maps for each of the four stages of AMD. Conclusions: The maps allow us to perform the classification of the patient's eyes to particular stages of AMD. The pairs of the variables represented on the axes of the maps can be treated as diagnostic identifiers necessary for the classification to particular stages of AMD.

Automated summary

A new diagnostic graphical tool called classification maps has been developed to aid in the detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The maps use an ordinal regression model, with the degree of AMD advancement as the dependent variable and other variables such as CRT, GCC, MPOD, ETDRS, Snellen, and Age as predictors. The study classified 132 eyes into four stages of AMD and created two-dimensional classification maps for each stage. These maps provide a way to classify patients' eyes into specific stages of AMD using the variables represented on the axes.