Automated detection of eye surface cancer

by  ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics

Researchers have developed a new automated non-invasive technique for diagnosing eye surface cancer (ocular surface squamous neoplasia or OSSN). The technique has the potential to reduce the need for biopsies, prevent therapy delays and make treatment far more effective for patients.

Reported in a clinical journal ‘The Ocular Surface’, the innovative method comprises the custom-building of an advanced imaging microscope in association with state-of-the-art computing and artificial intelligence operation. The result is an automated system that is able to successfully identify between diseased and non-diseased eye tissue, in real-time, through a simple scanning process.

“Clinical symptoms of OSSN are known to be variable and in early stages can be extremely hard to detect so patients may experience delays in treatment or be inaccurately diagnosed,” says Mr Habibalahi, Researcher at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) and lead scientist on the project. 

“The early detection of OSSN is critical as it supports simple and more curative treatments such as topical therapies whereas advanced lesions may require eye surgery or even the removal of the eye, and also has the risk of mortality,” he says.

What Mr Habibalahi and the research team have developed is a technological approach that utilises the power of both microscopy and cutting-edge machine learning. 

“Our hi-tech system scans the natural light given off by specific cells of the eye, after being stimulated by safe levels of artificial light. Diseased cells have their own specific ‘light-wave’ signature which our specially designed computational algorithm is then able to identify providing a quick and efficient diagnosis,” says Mr Habibalahi.

In the reported research, tissue samples from eighteen patients with OSSN were tested. 

“We successfully identified the diseased cells in all eighteen cases,” confirmed Mr Habibalahi. “A quick test using our automated system is all that is necessary to pick up early warning signs of OSSN.”

A key benefit of the innovative setup is that the OSSN diagnosis foregoes the need for a biopsy approach.

“This benefits both the patient and the doctor. Biopsies of the eye can be traumatic and can also be costly and time intensive with samples needing to be sent to a laboratory for testing,” Mr Habibalahi says.

“We will be able to confirm the disease straight away through a simple eye scan with no biopsy required and appropriate action can be quickly progressed by the specialist.”

In addition to the early-detection and non-invasive benefits, the innovative diagnostic technology is able to precisely map the location of abnormal tissue margins on the eye.

“This is highly desirable in a clinical setting,” Mr Habibalahi says.

“Accurate boundary delineation of OSSN means that curative treatments such as topical medications or surgery can be more accurately and effectively applied.”

Abbas Habibalahi, CNBP. Credit: ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics

Mr Habibalahi believes that the automated technology has potential for widespread use on an outpatient basis, especially in developing countries where there may be a lack of pathology equipment and associated specialists. 

“Our technology has the potential to be a real game-changer in dealing with eye disease,” he says. 

“Next steps are to make our system practical and workable in a clinical setting. We hope to do this by incorporating our system into a standard retinal camera setup—similar to that used by opticians and optometrists when undertaking regular eye examinations.”

Researchers involved in this project are affiliated with CNBP, Macquarie University, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Personal Eyes Pty Ltd and UNSW Sydney. Mr Habibalahi was a CNBP PHD candidate at Macquarie University when the research was undertaken.