DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18258095
title: AROMA dataset

description: AROMA dataset (Artifact Recognition on OCT-A, Modeling, and Analysis)

General description

One of the purpose of the AROMA study was to release a publicly available database, consisting of en face retinal SS OCT-A images labeled by artifact type and severity.

This dataset includes:



OCT-A scans (n = 281), each decomposed into 14 .png En Face images (C-scans);

an Excel file that indicates the intensity of artifacts present and the Signal Strength for each OCT-A scan. The following artifacts were rated from 0 to 3: “Motion/Blink”, “Tilt”, “Focus”, “Decentration/Z-offset”, “Shadow/Masking”, “FAZ segmentation”, and “Refractive Shift”;

a python script to read and preview data of a random patient.


Data origin

This dataset was acquired from the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Dijon, France, and consists of clinical acquisitions from various registered clinical studies. It was anonymized and processed in accordance with the rules established by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital of Dijon. All administrative information contained in the metadata was removed, making the dataset untraceable and fully anonymized. Selected patients did not have any macular disease or severe ocular media alteration. Only one eye per patient was analyzed.

OCT-A scans

All OCT-A scans were performed using the same PLEX Elite 9000® device (Zeiss, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, OH, USA) after instillation of one drop of tropicamide 0.5%. One OCT-A scan was collected per visit, with a maximum of two visits per participant. OCT-A image sizes were 3 × 3 mm and/or 6 × 6 mm. If both scan sizes were available for a participant, each scan was considered a separate instance in the analysis. All OCT-A scans were acquired with a frequency of 100 Hz. Only scans with a signal strength ≥ 7 were included. The PLEX Elite 9000® acquisition sequence includes in-built artifact correction algorithms, notably for motion and projection.

En face and layered image acquisitions

After acquisition, each OCT-A scan was exported to the proprietary cloud platform ARI-Network® (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, OH, USA), where it was processed using a dedicated algorithm (Macular Density v0.7.3). The algorithm computed each OCT-A scan into 14 different images according to the layer studied and the type of image processing performed. Depending on the initial acquisition size (3 × 3 mm or 6 × 6 mm), the resolution of an image was either 216 × 216 pixels or 512 × 512 pixels, respectively. The layers, or slabs, as predefined by the proprietary algorithm are: (1) superficial, from the top of internal limiting membrane to the bottom of the inner plexiform layer; (2) deep, from the top of inner plexiform layer to the bottom of outer plexiform layer; (3) retina, from the top of internal limiting membrane to the bottom of Bruch’s membrane minus 41 microns.There were six types of image processing techniques: (1) Structural en face, i.e., en face OCT image with no angiography; (2) Angio en face, i.e., the classic en face OCT-A image; (3) Vessel Trace, i.e., binarization of the Angio en face image to form a black-and-white illustration of the vessels ; (4) Vessel Map Overlay, i.e., averaging of the Vessel Trace image, which is then displayed as a heat map with an ETDRS grid; (5) Slab With FAZ, i.e., automatized segmentation of the FAZ from the Angio en face image; (6) FAZ Area Map, i.e., binarized mask of the FAZ segmented on the Slab With FAZ image.The combination of these three layers and six image processing techniques generates 14 images from one OCT-A scan: "Superficial Structural Enface", "Superficial Angio Enface", "Superficial Angio Enface Vessel Trace", "Superficial Angio Enface Vessel Map Overlay", "Deep Structural Enface", "Deep Angio Enface Projection Removed", "Deep Angio Enface Projection Removed Vessel Trace", "Deep Angio Enface Projection Removed Vessel Map Overlay", "Retina Structural Enface, Retina Angio Enface", "Retina Angio Enface Vessel Trace", "Retina Angio Enface Vessel Map Overlay", "Retina Slab with FAZ", "FAZ Area Map". All images were inspected for artifact labelling.

Artifacts and quality labels

Using a grading system derived from Holmen et al., the following artifacts were rated from 0 to 3: “Motion/Blink”, “Tilt”, “Focus”, “Decentration/Z-offset”, “Shadow/Masking”, “FAZ segmentation”, and “Refractive Shift”. A grade of 0 indicates the absence of artifacts, while a grade of 3 denotes more severe artifacts, based on their extent (% of en face OCT-A scan lines) and central involvement. They were assessed independently for artifact presence and severity by two experienced ophthalmology fellows (LS and PD). In the event of a discrepancy, the final decision was made by a senior ophthalmologist (LA). The same OCT-A image may be affected by different artifacts.