Automated drusen detection in dry age-related macular degeneration by multiple-depth, en face optical coherence tomography

We introduce a method to automatically detect drusen in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from optical coherence tomography with minimum need for layer segmentation. The method is based on the en face detection of drusen areas in C-scans at certain distances above the Bruch’s membrane, circumventing the difficult task of pathologic retinal pigment epithelium segmentation. All types of drusen can be detected, including the challenging subretinal drusenoid deposits (pseudodrusen). The high sensitivity and accuracy demonstrated here shows its potential for detection of drusen onset in early AMD.