Kharagpur: IIT Kharagpur has developed a software for the early detection and risk categorisation of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a disease caused by the complication of diabetes that can eventually lead to blindness.
Titled Computer Vision Approach to Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and developed by Chandan Chakrabarty of IIT-Kharagpur, the project is now being used on a pilot basis at a hospital in the city with encouraging results. It is being funded by IT major IBM India.
“The software uses data analytics capabilities to automatically compare and analyse retina images of the patient. It can tell if the patient has DR and also provides risk categorisation ranging from low to medium and high,” Chakrabarty said.
DR is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease, which affects up to 80 percent of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more.
The project was initiated March 2011 by the IIT Kharagpur, in association with IBM India and Susrut Eye Foundation and Research Centre (SEFRC), Kolkata.
“The solution is being used in our clinic and the results are very encouraging, in fact, the accuracy level is as high as 92 percent,” said Anirudh Maity of SEFRC, where the project is being used on a pilot basis.
Chakrabarty said the project will take at least a year more before it can be marketed commercially.
“We are using the results generated by the prototype at the SEFRC to enhance its operations and we hope it will ready within a year. Once operational, the solution will help prevent and cure DR which has been increasingly spreading across the country,” Chakrabarty told IANS.
IIT Kharagpur – Officiating Registrar Mr. T K Ghosal who appeared for interview on Dec 05. 2012 for the Post of Registrar in IIT Kharagpur does not fulfil the minimum qualification prescribed for recruitment as per UGC / MHRD / Judgement of Supreme Court of India, i.e., 10+2+3+2 / 11+1+3+2 pattern, and has secured less than 50% marks in Master’s Degree received by Distance Education. As per MHRD / UGC norm, the educational qualification for the post of Registrar must be as Under: “A Master’s Degree with at least 55% of Marks or its equivalent grade of ‘B’ in the UGC Scale 7 point scale.” Members of Screening Committee have shortlisted the name of Dr. T K Ghosal without following the above criteria and T K Ghosal’s allegations. Prof B K Mathur who is one of member in the screening committee for shorlisting the candidates for the post of Registrar in IIT Kharagpur is under CBI scanner because of his involvement in fake institute scam in IIT-Kharagpur. B K Mathur, current chief vigilance officer, was a member of the board of governors of IEE (I) in 2001.