ABOUT

GA GRADER - AI-Based Analysis for Geographic Atrophy

Quick Summary

Purpose: GA GRADER is an advanced AI-driven tool designed for the precise assessment and quantification of geographic atrophy (GA) in OCT imaging. It provides standardized, objective measurements to support monitoring of disease progression in clinical research.

Target Users: GA GRADER is tailored for ophthalmologists, retina specialists, and clinical researchers.

Implementation: Natively integrated with Heidelberg Heyex 2, GA GRADER enables seamless data analysis through a simple drag-and-drop operation, delivering a comprehensive report that enhances diagnosis, progression tracking, and patient communication.

Discover More About GA GRADER

GA GRADER is an innovative software tool to monitor progression of Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading causes of severe and irreversible vision loss in the Western world. Among its different forms, geographic atrophy (GA), the late-stage manifestation of dry AMD, presents significant challenges for both clinicians and researchers due to its complex progression and the difficulties associated with precise measurement.
With the introduction of novel therapeutic approaches for GA, the need for accurate and reliable assessment tools has become more critical than ever. Traditional methods often struggle to capture the full extent of disease progression, making standardized evaluation difficult and limiting the ability to communicate findings effectively to patients.

The Role of AI in GA Assessment

The GA GRADER, developed by the GRADE Reading Center, is an innovative AI-powered analysis tool designed to enhance the evaluation of geographic atrophy. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms, the GA GRADER provides:

  • Accurate and Objective Measurements – Standardized, reproducible assessments of GA progression, enabling precise monitoring over time.
  • Enhanced Research Capabilities – Supporting clinical studies with robust and automated image analysis, improving the consistency and reliability of data.
  • Improved Patient Communication – Simplifying complex imaging results and disease progression insights, making it easier for physicians to educate and engage patients in their treatment journey.

MAIN FEATURES

  • Automatic segmentation of areas of atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium in the context of GA secondary to AMD, based on analysis of imported volume optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging data that has been acquired with the Spectralis imaging platform (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Germany)
  • Visual segmentation of atrophic areas
  • Determination of absolute values in mm2 of total lesion size, the largest single lesion and additional individual lesions (if present) and number of spots.
  • Progression analysis, including visualization of the spread of atrophic areas as well as calculation of area progression over time
  • Determination of the size of the residual island of foveal sparing atrophy, the minimum distance of any atrophy to the fovea and its changes over time

GA GRADER USP

A key unique selling proposition (USP) of GA GRADER is its advanced approach to foveal assessment in OCT imaging. Unlike competing solutions that rely solely on the central scan, GA GRADER intelligently determines the true foveal scan, ensuring a more accurate and individualized analysis of geographic atrophy. This precise localization enhances the reliability of disease progression tracking and provides a clearer understanding of its impact on central vision.

Comprehensive GA GRADER Analysis Report

Clinical sites using GA GRADER receive a detailed and standardized analysis report, providing key insights into geographic atrophy (GA) progression based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. The GA GRADER analysis report offers:

  • Precise GA Quantification – Automated and objective measurements of GA lesion size, shape, and progression.
  • Foveal Involvement Assessment – Accurate determination of the true foveal scan, ensuring clinically relevant evaluations.
  • Layer-Specific Analysis – Segmentation of retinal layers to assess GA impact at different depths.
  • Progression Tracking – Side-by-side comparisons of current and previous scans for trend analysis.
  • Visual Representation – High-resolution overlays and color-coded maps for intuitive interpretation.
  • Standardized Data Output – Structured formats compatible with clinical trial databases and research studies.

INTEGRATION

GA GRADER is natively integrated with Heidelberg Heyex 2, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow. With just a simple drag-and-drop operation within the Heyex 2 user interface, patient data is automatically analyzed by GA GRADER. The system then generates a detailed analysis report, which is seamlessly sent back to Heyex 2, providing clinicians with accurate and actionable insights in just a few clicks.

USE CASES & SERVICES

  • The GA GRADER Tool is currently available as an advanced solution for research purposes, providing valuable insights for clinical studies and scientific advancements in geographic atrophy assessment.
  • The GA GRADER’s analysis performance is continuously monitored, validated, and refined by the experts at the GRADE Reading Center. Through ongoing quality control measures, data evaluation, and algorithm enhancements, we ensure that GA GRADER delivers highly accurate, reliable, and up-to-date assessments for research and clinical applications.

  • To ensure a seamless experience with GA GRADER, we provide a comprehensive user manual that guides clinical sites through every step of the process. This detailed resource includes step-by-step instructions to maximize efficiency and accuracy. The GA GRADER User Manual is available for all registered users. For access or further assistance, please contact us at mail@ga-grader.org.

REGISTRATION

To register for GA GRADER and gain access within the Heidelberg Heyex 2 system, please reach out to us via email at mail@ga-grader.org. Our team will guide you through the registration process and provide you with your personalized username and password, ensuring a seamless integration into your workflow.