RetNet30: A Novel Stacked Convolution Neural Network Model for Automated Retinal Disease Diagnosis

Abstract

Automated diagnosis of retinal diseases holds significant promise in enhancing healthcare efficiency and patient outcomes. However, existing methods often lack the accuracy and efficiency required for timely disease detection. To address this gap, we introduce RetNet30, a novel stacked convolutional neural network (CNN) designed to revolutionize automated retinal disease diagnosis. RetNet30 combines a custom-built 30-layer CNN with a fine-tuned Inception V3 model, integrating these sub-models through logistic regression to achieve superior classification performance. Extensive evaluations on retinal image datasets such as DRIVE, STARE, CHASE_DB1, and HRF demonstrate significant improvements in accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) when compared to conventional approaches. By leveraging advanced deep learning architectures, RetNet30 not only enhances diagnostic precision but also generalizes effectively across diverse datasets, establishing a new benchmark in retinal disease classification. This novel approach offers a highly efficient and reliable solution for early disease detection and patient management, addressing the limitations of manual examination methods. Through rigorous quantitative and qualitative assessments, our proposed method demonstrates its potential to significantly impact medical image analysis and improve healthcare outcomes. RetNet30 marks a major step forward in automated retinal disease diagnosis, showcasing the future of AI-driven advancements in ophthalmology.