Retinal fundus imaging-based diabetic retinopathy classification using transfer learning and fennec fox optimization

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of diabetes that can result in vision loss if untreated, often progressing silently without warning symptoms. Elevated blood glucose levels damage the retina's microvasculature, initiating the condition. Early detection through retinal fundus imaging, supported by timely analysis and treatment, is critical for managing DR effectively. However, manually inspecting these images is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process, making computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems invaluable in supporting ophthalmologists. This research introduces the Fundus Imaging Diabetic Retinopathy Classification using Deep Learning and Fennec Fox Optimization (FIDRC-DLFFO) model, which automates the identification and classification of DR. The model integrates several advanced techniques to enhance performance and accuracy.1.The proposed FIDRC-DLFFO model automates DR detection and classification by combining median filtering for noise reduction, Inception-ResNet-v2 for feature extraction, and a gated recurrent unit (GRU) for classification.2.Fennec Fox Optimization (FFO) fine-tunes the GRU hyperparameters, boosting classification accuracy, with its effectiveness demonstrated on benchmark datasets.3.The results provide insights into the model's effectiveness and potential for real-world application.