Systems and methods for enabling customers to obtain vision and eye health examinations

• US 10,665,345 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2018
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 20/20 Vision Center, LLC
• Original Assignee: 20/20 Vision Center, LLC
• Inventors: Seriani, Joseph S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Fonya M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lultschik, William G
• Application Number:
  US16/226,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20190148017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0033 characterised by user input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for eye health and vision examinations. A customer diagnostic center is configured to generate customer examination data pertaining to an examination of a customer'"'"'s eye. The customer diagnostic center provides a user interface for communicating with a customer and ophthalmic equipment for administering tests to the customer. A diagnostic center server is configured to receive the customer examination data from the customer diagnostic center over a network and allow the customer examination data to be accessed by an eye-care practitioner. A practitioner device associated with the eye-care practitioner is configured to receive the customer examination data from the diagnostic center server and display at least a portion of the customer examination data to the eye-care practitioner. Customer evaluation data is generated pertaining to the eye-care practitioner'"'"'s evaluation of the customer examination data. An eye health report is provided to the customer via the network.

Claims

1. A system for providing remotely assisted eye examinations, comprising:

a diagnostic center including ophthalmic equipment comprising a set of instruments that are utilized in administering a visual acuity eye examination, wherein at least a portion of the ophthalmic equipment is coupled to an equipment controller that is configured to receive commands over a network to enable remote control of the ophthalmic equipment by multiple individuals during the visual acuity eye examination, the ophthalmic equipment located at the diagnostic center at least including an auto-phoropter;

a first remote device operated by a first remote individual; and

a second remote device operated by a second remote individual;

one or more servers that host a web-based platform configured to track availability data indicating which remote individuals are currently connected to the system and available to administer the visual acuity eye examination, and to facilitate communications between the diagnostic center and the first and second remote devices during the visual acuity eye examination;

wherein administering the visual acuity eye examination includes;

administering, by an on-site individual located at the diagnostic center, a first set of tests to a customer using the ophthalmic equipment located at the diagnostic center, wherein the first set of tests are utilized to derive a preliminary refractive error based on one or more objective measurements that are obtained, at least in part, using a lensometer or auto-refractor;

generating a first portion of customer examination data comprising the preliminary refractive error based on the first set of tests;

establishing a first connection between the diagnostic center and the first remote device over the network, wherein the first connection enables the first remote individual to transmit commands over the network to remotely control the auto-phoropter and provides real-time video conferencing between the first remote individual and the customer;

establishing a second connection between the diagnostic center and the second remote device over the network, wherein the second connection enables the second remote individual to transmit a second set of commands over the network to remotely control the auto-phoropter and provides real-time video conferencing between the second remote individual and the customer;

providing, via the web-based platform during the visual acuity eye examination, the first remote device and the second remote device with access to the first portion of customer examination data comprising the preliminary refractive error that is derived from the first set of tests administered by the on-site individual;

administering, with remote assistance from both the first remote individual and the second remote individual, a second set of tests to the customer during the visual acuity eye examination, wherein both the first remote individual and second remote individual are in communication with the equipment controller and the equipment controller enables both the first remote individual and second remote individual to control the auto-phoropter during the second set of tests and to conduct a subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination for the customer located at the customer diagnostic center, and administering the second set of tests includes;

conducting the subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination that involves outputting one or more questions to the customer and receiving one or more responses from the customer, wherein the subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination is administered using an iterative process that includes;

presenting questions to the customer based, at least in part, on testing data comprising the one or more objective measurements and the one or more responses that are received from the customer;

based, at least in part, on the one or more responses received from the customer, remotely adjusting the ophthalmic equipment according to selections received via an equipment controller interface; and

determining that the iterative process should be concluded in response to establishing that the one or more responses received from the customer satisfy one or more conditions indicating that sufficient data has been collected;

generating a second portion of customer examination data based on the second set of tests;

providing, via the web-based platform, one or more graphical user interfaces on the second remote device that enables the second remote individual to (i) view instrument readings and test results corresponding to the first portion of customer examination data and the second portion of customer examination data;

(ii) edit information collected during the visual acuity eye examination; and

(iii) receive selections via the second remote device that are utilized to generate evaluation data;

generating the evaluation data including a refractive error for the customer based, at least in part, on the second remote individual'"'"'s review of the first portion of customer examination data and the second portion of customer examination data; and

receiving, at the diagnostic center, the evaluation data comprising the refractive error; and

wherein;

the auto-phoropter includes a plurality of lenses;

the commands transmitted over the network via the first connection enable the first remote individual to remotely switch the lenses that are presented to the customer during the visual acuity eye examination;

the second connection enables the second remote individual to remotely control the auto-phoropter; and

a second set of commands are transmitted over the network via the second connection to enable the second remote individual to remotely switch the lenses that are presented to the customer during the visual acuity eye examination.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the ophthalmic equipment at the diagnostic center includes an eye chart;

the equipment controller is coupled to the eye chart;

the commands transmitted by the first remote device and the second set of commands are received by the equipment controller via the first connection and second connection; and

the commands and the second set of commands enable the eye chart to be controlled remotely by both the first remote individual and the second remote individual while administering the subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the ophthalmic equipment at the diagnostic center includes;

(i) a tonometer that is configured to measure the customers'"'"' eye pressure; and

(ii) a fundus or retinal camera that is configured to capture digital images of the customers'"'"' eyes;

the tonometer and the fundus or retinal camera are utilized to administer the first set of tests; and

the first portion of customer examination data includes data comprising test results associated with using the tonometer and the fundus or retinal camera.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual acuity eye examination is included in a comprehensive eye examination and includes:

(a) objective and subjective refraction tests to assess the customer'"'"'s visual acuity; and

(b) eye health tests to check for disorders, diseases or other negative health conditions associated with the customer'"'"'s eyes.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the on-site individual is an operator, technician, assistant or other individual who is located at the diagnostic center to provide assistance to the customer;

the first remote individual is an eye doctor, optometrist, ophthalmologist, practitioner, technician, or other individual who is capable of administering or monitoring eye tests; and

the second remote individual is an eye doctor, optometrist, ophthalmologist, practitioner, technician, or other individual who is capable of administering or monitoring eye tests.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the evaluation data received at the diagnostic center includes a prescription; and

the diagnostic center includes at least one printer for printing the prescription.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the evaluation data includes a referral for the customer to visit a practitioner, doctor, or specialist for further evaluation; and

the evaluation data is updated to include the referral in response to one or more disorders or one or more conditions being detected.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data is pre-processed before being transmitted to the second remote individual, and pre-processing the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data includes comparing one or more parameters included in the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data to one or more standards associated with acceptable test results.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein pre-processing the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data further includes generating data for display on the second remote device that shows the one or more parameters in relation to acceptable ranges to assist the second remote individual with reviewing the customer'"'"'s test results.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more servers hosting the web-based platform are further configured to:

provide interfaces on a device located at the customer diagnostic center including;

one or more interfaces for accessing one or more medical records associated with the customer;

one or more interfaces for communicating with the the first remote individual and second remote individual via the first connection and second connection, respectively; and

one or more interfaces for saving the first portion of customer examination data to the one or more servers.

11. A method for providing a remotely assisted eye examination, comprising:

administering a visual acuity eye examination to a customer at a diagnostic center including ophthalmic equipment comprising a set of instruments, wherein at least a portion of the ophthalmic equipment is coupled to an equipment controller that is configured to receive commands over a network to enable remote control of the ophthalmic equipment by multiple individuals during the visual acuity eye examination, the ophthalmic equipment located at the diagnostic centers at least including an auto-phoropter;

wherein administering the visual acuity eye examination includes;

tracking, using a web-based platform hosted on one or more servers, availability data indicating which remote individuals are currently connected to the system and available to administer the visual acuity eye examination, wherein the web-based platform is configured to facilitate communications between the diagnostic center and one or more remote devices;

administering, by an on-site individual located at the diagnostic center, a first set of tests to a customer using the ophthalmic equipment located at the diagnostic center, wherein the first set of tests are utilized to derive a preliminary refractive error based on one or more objective measurements that are obtained, at least in part, using a lensometer or auto-refractor;

generating a first portion of customer examination data comprising the preliminary refractive error based on the first set of tests;

establishing a first connection between the diagnostic center and a first remote device over the network, wherein the first connection enables a first remote individual to transmit commands over the network to remotely control the auto-phoropter and provides real-time video conferencing between the first remote individual and the customer;

establishing a second connection between the diagnostic center and a second remote device over the network, wherein the second connection enables the second remote individual to transmit a second set of commands over the network to remotely control the auto-phoropter and provides real-time video conferencing between the second remote individual and the customer;

providing, via the web-based platform during the visual acuity eye examination, the first remote device and the second remote device with access to the first portion of customer examination data comprising the preliminary refractive error that is derived from the first set of tests administered by the on-site individual;

administering, with remote assistance from both the first remote individual and the second remote individual, a second set of tests to the customer during the visual acuity eye examination, wherein both the first remote individual and second remote individual are in communication with the equipment controller and the equipment controller enables both the first remote individual and second remote individual to control the auto-phoropter during the second set of tests and to conduct a subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination for the customer located at the customer diagnostic center, and administering the second set of tests includes;

conducting the subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination that involves outputting one or more questions to the customer and receiving one or more responses from the customer, wherein the subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination is administered using an iterative process that includes;

presenting questions to the customer based, at least in part, on testing data comprising the one or more objective measurements and the one or more responses that are received from the customer;

based, at least in part, on the one or more responses received from the customer, remotely adjusting the ophthalmic equipment according to selections received via an equipment controller interface presented on the first remote device; and

determining that the iterative process should be concluded in response to establishing that the one or more responses received from the customer satisfy one or more conditions indicating that sufficient data has been collected;

generating a second portion of customer examination data based on the second set of tests;

providing, via the web-based platform, one or more graphical user interfaces on the second remote device that enables the second remote individual to (i) view instrument readings and test results corresponding to the first portion of customer examination data and the second portion of customer examination data;

(ii) edit information collected during the visual acuity eye examination; and

(iii) receive selections via the second remote device that are utilized to generate evaluation data;

generating the evaluation data including a refractive error for the customer based, at least in part, on the second remote individual'"'"'s review of the first portion of customer examination data and the second portion of customer examination data; and

receiving, at the diagnostic center, the evaluation data comprising the revised refractive error; and

wherein;

the auto-phoropter includes a plurality of lenses;

the commands transmitted over the network via the first connection enable the first remote individual to remotely switch the lenses that are presented to the customer during the visual acuity eye examination;

the second connection enables the second remote individual to remotely control the auto-phoropter; and

a second set of commands are transmitted over the network via the second connection to enable the second remote individual to remotely switch the lenses that are presented to the customer during the visual acuity eye examination.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the ophthalmic equipment at the diagnostic center includes an eye chart;

the equipment controller is coupled to the eye chart; and

the commands transmitted by the first remote device and the second set of commands are received by the equipment controller via the first connection and second connection; and

the commands and the second set of commands enable the eye chart to be controlled remotely by both the first remote individual and the second remote individual while administering the subjective refraction portion of the visual acuity eye examination.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the ophthalmic equipment at the diagnostic center includes;

(i) a tonometer that is configured to measure the customers'"'"' eye pressure; and

(ii) a fundus or retinal camera that is configured to capture digital images of the customers'"'"' eyes;

the tonometer and the fundus or retinal camera are utilized to administer the first set of tests; and

the first portion of customer examination data includes data comprising test results associated with using the tonometer and the fundus or retinal camera.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the visual acuity eye examination is included in a comprehensive eye examination and includes:

(a) objective and subjective refraction tests to assess the customer'"'"'s visual acuity; and

(b) eye health tests to check for disorders, diseases or other negative health conditions associated with the customer'"'"'s eyes.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the on-site individual is an operator, technician, assistant or other individual who is located at the diagnostic center to provide assistance to the customer;

the first remote individual is an eye doctor, optometrist, ophthalmologist, practitioner, technician, or other individual who is capable of administering or monitoring eye tests; and

the second remote individual is an eye doctor, optometrist, ophthalmologist, practitioner, technician, or other individual who is capable of administering or monitoring eye tests.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the evaluation data received at the diagnostic center includes a prescription; and

the diagnostic center includes at least one printer for printing the prescription.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the evaluation data includes a referral for the customer to visit a practitioner, doctor, or specialist for further evaluation; and

the evaluation data is updated to include the referral in response to one or more disorders or one or more conditions being detected.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data is pre-processed before being transmitted to the second remote individual, and pre-processing the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data includes comparing one or more parameters included in the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data to one or more standards associated with acceptable test results.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein pre-processing the first portion of customer examination data or the second portion of customer examination data further includes generating data for display on the second remote device that shows the one or more parameters in relation to acceptable ranges to assist the second remote individual with reviewing the customer'"'"'s test results.