MEDICAL INTERFACES AND OTHER MEDICAL DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING EYE EXAMS

• US 20180279870A1
• Filed: 09/14/2016
• Published: 10/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Envision Diagnostics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Envision Diagnostics, Inc.
• Inventors: Walsh, Alexander C., Updike, Paul G., Castro, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 11,039,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0083 provided with means for patient positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/102 for optical coherence tomography [OCT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/152 for aligning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/154 for spacing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/156 for blocking

Abstract

A mask for performing an eye exam of a subject includes one or more optically transparent sections for transmitting an incident light beam therethrough and incident on the subject'"'"'s eye, in some embodiments, the one or more optically transparent sections are coated with an anti-reflective coating configured to reduce reflection of the incident light beam by the one or more optically transparent sections. In some embodiments, the one or more optically transparent sections may have a portion thereof that is tilted with respect to the incident light beam when the mask is optically interfaced with the docking portion of an ophthalmic instrument, such that the incident light beam forms a finite angle of incidence with respect to the corresponding portion of the optically transparent sections.

Claims

1. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument, wherein at least one of the one or more optically transparent sections has a spherical shape and constant thickness over an area of at least 2 cm² for said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and for reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes to pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject when in use; and

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument.

2. The mask of claim 1, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections comprise an anterior surface and a posterior surface that are spherical and have the same center of curvature.

3. The mask of any of claims 1-2, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections have radii of curvature with the range of 30 mm to 70 mm.

4. The mask of any of claims 1-3, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections has a thickness of between about 0.1 mm and 3.0 mm.

5. The mask of any of claims 1-4, wherein said optically transparent section introduces less than 0.07 RMS wavefront error.

6. The mask of any of claims 1-5, further comprising lateral portions laterally disposed with respect to said one or more optically transparent sections.

7. The mask of claim 1, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections comprises a pair of left and right optically transparent sections for left and right eyes of the subject.

8. The mask of claim 7, further comprising bridge portion between said left and right optically transparent sections.

9. The mask of any of claims 1-8, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections are piano.

10. The mask of any of claims 1-8, wherein one or more of said optically transparent sections have optical power.

72. The mask of any of claims 1-71, wherein said mask is single use.

73. The mask of any of claims 1-71, wherein said mask is configured for limited re-use.

74. The mask of any of claims 1-73, wherein said one or more optically transparent section has an anti-fog coating thereon.

75. The ophthalmic instrument of any of claims 1-74, wherein said ophthalmic instrument comprises an optical coherence tomography instrument.

76. The ophthalmic instrument of any of claims 1-74, wherein said ophthalmic instrument comprises an optical scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

77. The mask of any of claims 1-76, wherein said mask is not configured to be secured to the subject when the subject is away from the ophthalmic instrument

78. The mask of any one of claims 1 to 28, 47 to 49, and 67 to 77, further comprising at least one aperture to facilitate air flow.

79. The mask of claim 78, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.

80. The mask of claim 77 or 78, wherein each aperture is positioned closer to a lateral edge of the mask than a center of the mask.

11. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument, wherein at least one of the one or more optically transparent sections has a constant thickness over an area of at least 2 cm² for said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and for reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes to pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject'"'"'s face when in use; and

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument.

12. The mask of claim 11, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections comprises an ellipsoidal surface.

13. The mask of claim 11, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections comprises a paraboloid surface.

14. The mask of any of claims 11-13, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections has a thickness of between about 0.1 mm and 3.0 mm.

15. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject'"'"'s face when in use; and

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein said mask comprises resilient bendable material that deforms when said mask is inserted in a docking portion of said ophthalmic instrument to facilitate securing said mask to said ophthalmic instrument via said mask attachment.

16. The mask of claim 15, wherein said resilient bendable material is sufficiently resilient and bendable to disengage said mask attachment portion from said ophthalmic instrument.

17. The mask of any of claims 15-16, further comprising appendages comprising said mask attachment portion, said appendages being movable with deformation of said resilient bendable material so as to secure said mask to said ophthalmic instrument and disengage said mask from said ophthalmic instrument.

18. The mask of claim 17, further comprising cushioned contact portions on said appendages for contact with the subject.

19. The mask of any of claims 15-18, wherein said resilient bendable material is biased so as not to be as deformed upon removal by said subject.

20. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eye, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject'"'"'s face when in use; and

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein the mask includes a plurality of spaced apart contact points for contacting the subject such that air gaps are provided between said mask and the subject to permit air flow.

21. The mask of claim 20, wherein said plurality of contact points comprise cushioned contact points.

22. The mask of any of claims 20-21, further comprising a plurality of appendages disposed laterally with respect to said optically transparent sections, at least some of said contact point being on said appendages.

23. The mask of any of claims 20-22, wherein said one or more optically transparent sections comprises left and right transparent sections for said left and right eyes of said subject, said mask further comprising a bridge between said left and right transparent sections.

24. The mask of claim 23, wherein one of said contact points is included on said bridge.

25. The mask of claim 24, wherein said contact point on said bridge comprises a cushion on said bridge.

26. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject'"'"'s face when in use;

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument; and

one or more shields disposed to separate said subject from said ophthalmic instrument.

27. The mask of claim 26, wherein at least one of said shields is disposed superiorly with respect to said one or more optically transparent sections to separate a subject'"'"'s forehead from said ophthalmic instrument.

28. The mask of any of claims 26-27, wherein at least one of said shields is disposed inferiorly with respect to said one or more optically transparent sections to separate a subject'"'"'s nose from said ophthalmic instrument.

29. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes,

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s face and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes to pass through said one or more optically transparent sections,

an attachment portion configured to attach to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein said docking station comprises a contoured receptacle shaped so as to receive and mate with said distal portion of said mask.

30. The instrument of claim 29, wherein said contoured receptacle is conformally shaped to receive a portion of said mask configured to receive a nose of a subject.

31. The instrument of any of claims 29-30, wherein said contoured receptacle is conformally shaped for receiving a mask having a base curvature of greater than base 6.

32. The instrument of any of claims 29-31, wherein said contoured receptacle is conformally shaped for receiving a mask having curved optically transparent surfaces as said distal portion.

33. The instrument of any of claims 29-32, wherein said contoured receptacle is conformally shaped for receiving a mask having spherically shaped optically transparent surfaces as said distal portion.

34. The instrument of any of claims 29-33, wherein the attachment portion is configured to receive a corresponding mask attachment portion on said mask to secure said mask to said instrument.

81. The ophthalmic instrument of any one of claims 29 to 46, and 50 to 66, wherein the docking portion further comprises at least one air channel and at least one suction system to remove air from between the instrument and the subject.

82. The ophthalmic instrument of claim 81, wherein the at least one air channel and the at least one suction system are configured to facilitate an air flow between about 0.001 L/min and about 0.5 L/min.

35. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes;

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s face and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through one or more optically transparent sections; and

an attachment portion configured to attached to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein said attachment portion comprises resilient bendable material that deforms when said docking portion receives said mask to facilitate securing said mask to said ophthalmic instrument via said attachment.

36. The instrument of claim 35, wherein said attachment portion is configured to receive a corresponding mask attachment portion on said mask to secure said mask to said instrument.

37. The instrument of any of claims 35-36, wherein attachment portion is configured to be further deformed manually by the subject when the mask is in said docking portion to disengage the attachment portion of the instrument from the mask to remove said mask from said docking portion.

38. The instrument of any of claims 35-37, wherein said resilient bendable material is sufficiently resilient and bendable to disengage said mask from said attachment portion.

39. The instrument of any of claims 35-38, wherein resilient bendable material is biased so as not to be deformed upon removal of said mask from said docking portion.

40. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes;

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s head and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes to pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment portion configured to attach to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument; and

one or more shields disposed to separate said subject from said ophthalmic instrument.

41. The instrument of claim 40, wherein at least one of said shields is disposed superiorly with respect to said one or more optically transparent sections to separate a subject'"'"'s forehead from said ophthalmic instrument.

42. The instrument of any of claims 40-41, wherein at least one of said shields is disposed inferiorly with respect to said one or more optically transparent sections to separate a subject'"'"'s nose from said ophthalmic instrument.

43. The instrument of any of claims 40-41, wherein at least one of said shields is disposed below a least one opening in the instrument providing access to said light source and optics, said at least one shield to separate a subject'"'"'s nose from said ophthalmic instrument.

44. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes;

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s head and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections; and

an attachment portion configured to attach to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein said attachment portion comprises one or more spring loaded extensions configured to mate with the mask to secure the mask to the docking portion.

45. The instrument of claim 44, wherein said one or more spring loaded extensions comprises a spring loaded pin.

46. The instrument of claim 44, wherein said one or more spring loaded extensions comprises a ball detent.

47. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject'"'"'s head when in use; and

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein said mask attachment portion comprises one or more holes configured to receive one or more extensions from said docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument.

48. The mask of claim 47, wherein said one or more holes comprise at least one hole on each of left and right sides of said mask.

49. The mask of claim 47, wherein said one or more holes comprise at least two holes on each of left and right sides of said mask.

50. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes;

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s head and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment portion configured to attach to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument, and

a shutter disposed in a first position to block a path to said light source and optics when a mask is not mated with said docking portion, said shutter configured to be moved from said first position into a second position when a mask is mated with said docking portion so as to permit incident light beam from said light source onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and for said optics to receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes.

51. The instrument of claim 50, further comprising an actuator configured to move said shutter.

52. The instrument of any of claims 50-51, wherein said shutter is configured to moved manually.

53. The instrument of any of claims 50-52, wherein said shutter is configured to be moved by introducing said mask to said docking portion.

54. The instrument of any of claims 50-53, further comprising an actuator to permit movement of said shutter.

55. The instrument of any of claims 50-54, further comprising one or more sensors disposed to sense that a mask has mated with said docking portion.

56. The instrument of claim 55, wherein said optics in said instrument are configured to move, said movement being stopped when said shutter is moved from said first position and no mask is detected as being mated with said docking station.

57. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes;

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s head and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment portion configured to attached to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument, and

one or more sensors disposed to sense that a mask has mated with said docking portion.

58. The instrument of claim 57, wherein said instrument is configured not to perform a measurement of an eye when no mask is detected as being mated with said docking station.

59. The instrument of claim 57, wherein said instrument is configured not to move parts within said instrument that may cause injury when no mask is detected as being mated with said docking station.

60. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes;

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s head and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment portion configured to attached to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument;

one or more sensors disposed to sense that a mask is mating with said docking portion;

at least one movable extension configured to mate with the mask to secure the mask to the docking portion; and

an actuator configure to facilitate movement of said movable extensions to engage a mask attachment portion on a mask when said one or more sensors senses that the mask is mating with said docking portion.

61. The instrument of claim 60, wherein said at least one movable extension comprises a spring loaded pin configured to engage said mask attachment portion on said mask.

62. The instrument of claim 61, wherein said actuator is configured to move said pin counter to a spring force associated with said spring to disengage said spring loaded pin from said mask.

63. The instrument of claim 62, wherein said actuator comprise a solenoid coupled to said spring loaded pin.

64. The instrument of any of claims 60-63, further comprising a shutter disposed in a first position to block a path to said light source and optics when a mask is not mated with said docking portion, said shutter configured to be moved from said first position into a second position when a mask is mated with said docking portion so as to permit an incident light beam from said light source be directed onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and for said optics to receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes.

65. The instrument of claim 64, wherein said at least one movable extension is configured to engage said shutter when said one or more sensors do not sense that said mask is mating with said docking station.

66. The instrument of any of claims 64-65, wherein said movable extensions are configured to disengage from said shutter when said one or more sensors detect that said mask is mating with said docking station.

67. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

a proximal portion having a rear surface that faces the subject'"'"'s face when in use; and

a mask attachment portion configured to attach to the ophthalmic instrument thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein said mask comprises resilient bendable material that deforms when worn by the subject to facilitate securing said mask to said ophthalmic instrument via said mask attachment when said mask is inserted in a docking portion of said ophthalmic instrument.

68. The mask of claim 67, wherein said resilient bendable material is sufficiently resilient and bendable to disengage said mask attachment portion from said ophthalmic instrument.

69. The mask of any of claims 67 and 68, further comprising appendages comprising said mask attachment portion, said appendages being movable with deformation of said resilient bendable material so as to secure said mask to said ophthalmic instrument and disengage said mask from said ophthalmic instrument.

70. The mask of claim 69, further comprising cushioned contact portions on said appendages for contact with the subject.

71. The mask of any of claims 67-70, wherein said resilient bendable material is biased so as not to be as deformed upon removal by said subject.

83. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment feature for attaching the mask to the ophthalmic instrument; and

at least one aperture positioned in the one or more optically transparent sections, the at least one aperture permits air flow through the at least one aperture of the mask when in use.

84. The mask of claim 83, wherein each of the at least one aperture is positioned closer to an outer edge of the mask than the center of the mask.

85. The mask of claim 83 or 84, wherein a total open area of the at least one aperture is between about 0.5 sq. inches and about 1.0 sq. inches.

86. The mask of any one of claims 83 to 85, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.

87. The mask of any one of claims 83 to 86, wherein the attachment feature comprises a flange.

88. The mask of any one of claims 83 to 87, wherein the attachment feature comprises a spring.

89. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the ophthalmic instrument operable to direct an incident light beam to a subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections configured to be optically interfaced with a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes pass through said one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment feature for attaching the mask to the ophthalmic instrument; and

at least one aperture in a surface of the mask, each of the at least one aperture is positioned closer to an outer edge of the mask than the center of the mask, the at least one aperture permits air to flow through the at least one aperture when in use;

wherein the aperture has a periphery with a thickness and the thickness of the periphery of the aperture is no more than 3.0 mm thicker than said surface in which said aperture is disposed.

90. The mask of claim 89, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.

91. The mask of claim 89 or 90, wherein the surface comprises said one or more optically transparent sections.

92. The mask of any one of claims 89 to 91, wherein the attachment feature comprises a flange.

93. The mask of any one of claims 89 to 92, wherein the attachment feature comprises a spring.

94. The mask of any one of claims 89 to 93, wherein the thickness of the periphery of the aperture is no more than 2.0 mm thicker than said surface in which said aperture is disposed.

95. The mask of any one of claims 89 to 94, wherein the thickness of the periphery of the aperture is no more than 1.0 mm thicker than said surface in which said aperture is disposed.

96. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment feature for attaching the mask to a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument; and

a first through-hole in an anterior surface of the mask, the first through-hole configured to permit air to flow through the first through-hole when in use.

97. The mask of claim 96, further comprising a second through-hole in the anterior surface of the mask and configured to permit air to flow through the second through-hole when in use.

98. The mask of claim 96 or 97, wherein the first through-hole is closer to a lateral edge of the mask than a longitudinal axis of the mask.

99. The mask of claim 96 or 97, wherein the first through-hole is closer to a longitudinal axis of the mask than a lateral edge of the mask.

100. The mask of claim 96 or 97, wherein the first through-hole is closer to an upper edge of the mask than a transverse axis of the mask.

101. The mask of claim 96 or 97, wherein the first through-hole is closer to a lower edge of the mask than a transverse axis of the mask.

102. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 101, wherein the first through-hole is positioned in the one or more optically transparent sections.

103. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 102, wherein the attachment feature comprises a flange.

104. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 103, wherein the attachment feature comprises a spring.

105. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 104, further comprising a registration feature projecting anteriorly and positioned at a periphery of the first through-hole.

106. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 105, wherein a posterior edge of the mask extends no more than 3.0 inches from the anterior surface of the mask.

107. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 106, wherein a posterior edge of the mask extends no more than 2.0 inches from the anterior surface of the mask.

108. The mask of any one of claims 96 to 107, wherein a posterior edge of the mask extends no more than 1.0 inches from the anterior surface of the mask.

109. A mask for performing an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the mask comprising:

one or more optically transparent sections;

an attachment feature for attaching the mask to a docking portion of the ophthalmic instrument; and

a first aperture in the mask, the first aperture configured to permit air to flow through the first aperture when in use,

wherein the mask is configured not to attach to a head of the user when the head is tilted 15 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the user.

110. The mask of claim 109, further comprising a second aperture in the mask and configured to permit air to flow through the second aperture when in use.

111. The mask of claim 109 or 110, wherein the first aperture is closer to a lateral edge of the mask than a longitudinal axis of the mask.

112. The mask of claim 109 or 110, wherein the first aperture is closer to a longitudinal axis of the mask than a lateral edge of the mask.

113. The mask of claim 109 or 110, wherein the first aperture is closer to an upper edge of the mask than a transverse axis of the mask.

114. The mask of claim 109 or 110, wherein the first aperture is closer to a lower edge of the mask than a transverse axis of the mask.

115. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 114, wherein the first aperture is positioned in the one or more optically transparent sections.

116. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 115, wherein the attachment feature comprises a flange.

117. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 116, wherein the attachment feature comprises a spring.

118. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 117, further comprising a registration feature projecting anteriorly and positioned at a periphery of the first aperture.

119. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 118, wherein a posterior edge of the mask extends no more than 3.0 inches from the anterior surface of the mask.

120. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 119, wherein a posterior edge of the mask extends no more than 2.0 inches from the anterior surface of the mask.

121. The mask of any one of claims 109 to 120, wherein a posterior edge of the mask extends no more than 1.0 inches from the anterior surface of the mask.

122. A hygienic barrier for use during an eye exam using an ophthalmic instrument, the barrier comprising:

a first optically transmissive section, the first optically transmissive section configured to be optically interfaced with the ophthalmic instrument such that, during use, an incident light beam from the ophthalmic instrument is transmitted through the first optically transmissive section to an eye of a user, the first optically transmissive section comprising a light transmission region through which the incident light beam is transmitted;

a first aperture in an anterior surface of the hygienic barrier, the first aperture configured to permit air to flow through the first aperture during the eye exam.

123. The hygienic barrier of claim 122, further comprising an attachment feature configured to attach the hygienic barrier to the ophthalmic instrument.

124. The hygienic barrier of claim 123, wherein the attachment feature comprises a flange.

125. The hygienic barrier of claim 123 or 124, wherein the attachment feature comprises a spring.

126. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 125, wherein the first aperture is in the first optically transmissive section.

127. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 126, wherein the first aperture is positioned outside the light transmission region.

128. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 127, further comprising a second aperture in the anterior surface of the hygienic barrier.

129. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 128, wherein the first optically transmissive section forms the entire anterior surface of the hygienic barrier.

130. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 128, further comprising a second optically transmissive section.

131. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 130, further comprising a registration feature at a periphery of the first aperture, the registration feature configured to be received by the ophthalmic instrument.

132. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 131, wherein the first optically transmissive section comprises a shore D hardness of at least about 75.

133. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 132, wherein the first optically transmissive section sections comprise polycarbonate.

134. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 132, wherein the first optically transmissive section sections comprise PMMA.

135. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 134, wherein the light transmission region of the first optically transmissive section has a thickness of no more than about 2.0 mm.

136. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 135, wherein the light transmission region of the first optically transmissive section has a substantially uniform thickness.

137. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 136, wherein the light transmission region has a length of at least about 20 mm.

138. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 137, further comprising armatures extending posteriorly to facilitate alignment of the user with the ophthalmic instrument.

139. The hygienic barrier of claim 138, wherein each armature comprises at least one through-hole to transmit audio from the ophthalmic instrument.

140. The hygienic barrier of claim 138 or 139, wherein a length of each armatures is no greater than about 3.0 inches.

141. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 140, wherein the hygienic barrier is a monolithic structure.

142. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 141, wherein the first aperture has a periphery with a thickness and the thickness of the periphery of the first aperture is no more than 3.0 mm thicker than said anterior surface in which said aperture is disposed.

143. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 142, wherein the mask is configured not to attach to a head of the user when the head is tilted 15 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the user.

144. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 143, wherein the first aperture is circular.

145. The hygienic barrier of any one of claims 122 to 144, wherein an air flow through the first aperture is between about 0.001 L/min and about 0.5 L/min.

146. The mask of any one of claims 122 to 145, wherein the first aperture is positioned closer to an outer edge of the mask than the center of the mask.

147. The mask of any one of claims 122 to 146, wherein a total open area of the first aperture is between about 0.05 sq. inches and about 1.0 sq. inches.

148. An ophthalmic instrument for performing an eye exam of a subject, the instrument comprising:

a light source and optics configured to direct an incident light beam onto the subject'"'"'s eyes and receive a reflected or scattered light beam from the subject'"'"'s eyes,

a docking portion configured to receive a mask to be worn by the subject, said mask comprising a proximal portion configured to contact the subject'"'"'s face and a distal portion configured to mate with said docking portion, said mask including one or more optically transparent sections aligned such that said incident light beam to said subject'"'"'s eyes and reflected or scattered light from the subject'"'"'s eyes to pass through said one or more optically transparent sections,

an attachment portion configured to attach to the mask thereby restricting movement of said mask once attached to said ophthalmic instrument,

wherein the docking portion further comprises at least one air channel and at least one suction system to remove air from between the instrument and the subject.