A fundus image classification framework for learning with noisy labels

Abstract

Fundus images are widely used in the screening and diagnosis of eye diseases. Current classification algorithms for computer-aided diagnosis in fundus images rely on large amounts of data with reliable labels. However, the appearance of noisy labels degrades the performance of data-dependent algorithms, such as supervised deep learning. A noisy label learning framework suitable for the multiclass classification of fundus diseases is presented in this paper, which combines data cleansing (DC), adaptive negative learning (ANL), and sharpness-aware minimization (SAM) modules. Firstly, the DC module filters the noisy labels in the training dataset based on the prediction confidence. Then, the ANL module modifies the loss function by choosing complementary labels, which are neither the given labels nor the labels with the highest confidence. Moreover, for better generalization, the SAM module is applied by simultaneously optimizing the loss and its sharpness. Extensive experiments on both private and public datasets show that our method greatly promotes the performance for classification of multiple fundus diseases with noisy labels.

Keywords: Confidence learning; Fundus diseases classification; Negative learning; Noisy labels; Sharpness-aware minimization.