Adaptive Photoscreening System

• US 20110157550A1
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation (University of Teesside)
• Original Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation (University of Teesside)
• Inventors: Lewis, James W.L., Chen, Ying-Ling Ann
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/08 for testing binocular or stereoscopic vision, e.g. strabismus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/103 for determining refraction, e.g. refractometers, skiascopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1035 for measuring astigmatism testing astigmatism A61B3/036
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/112 for measuring diameter of pupils
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/145 by video means

Abstract

Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis. The system can further include a device, for example a lens or lens system, positioned in the system to be between the eye of the examinee and the image detection system during photoscreening for shifting the neutralization of the system to a desired region for a specific population of examinees. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for photoscreening an eye of an examinee, comprising

an image display;

an ocular irradiation source;

an image detection system that captures one or more ocular images of the examinee when viewing the image display when the ocular irradiation source is active; and

a device positioned in the system to be between the eye of the examinee and the image detection system during photoscreening for shifting the neutralization of the system to a desired region for a specific population of examinees.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a lens or a lens system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the ocular irradiation source includes a source for infrared ocular irradiation, visible irradiation, or both.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ocular irradiation source provides coaxial and/or eccentric infrared radiation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the image display includes a two-dimensional video display, a three-dimensional video display, or both.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the image display provides environmental lighting to control the ocular conditions.

7. The system of claim 1, further including a computer control system, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the irradiation system provides infrared irradiation after being instructed by computer control system and visible irradiation after being instructed by the computer control system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the image detection system captures both visible and infrared images.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system performs refractive measurements utilizing a sequent infrared radiation under a lighting environment that is suitable for near distance visual activities.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the captured image is analyzed for bad image data and technique faults to ensure quality control.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the desired region is between about −

2 diopters and about +3.25 diopters.

13. A method of performing photoscreening of an eye of an examinee, comprising the steps of:

displaying an image;

activating an ocular irradiation source;

capturing one or more ocular images of the examinee with an image detection device when viewing the displayed image when the ocular irradiation source is active;

positioning a device between the eye of an examinee and the image detection device during photoscreening for shifting the neutralization of the system to a desired region for a specific population of examinees;

analyzing the one or more ocular images to assess at least one ocular condition; and

providing the results from the analyzing step.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the device is a lens or a lens system.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the ocular irradiation source includes a source for infrared ocular irradiation, visible irradiation, or both.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the positioning of the device is selected from a fixed position between the eye of an examinee and the image detection device or an adjustable position between the eye of an examinee and the image detection device wherein at least a part of the optical elements of the device is adjustable.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the image display includes a two-dimensional video display, a three-dimensional video display, or both.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the image display provides environmental lighting to control the ocular conditions.

19. The method of claim 13, further including a computer control system, wherein the computer control system analyzes the captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of analyzing the one or more ocular images includes adjusting the position of the device, or a part of the optical elements of the device, for shifting the neutralization of the system.