Method and apparatus for measuring visual sensitivity and optical properties of components of the eye
First Claim
1. An apparatus for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising:
- a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject;
control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element;
an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and
a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Non-Maxwellian, free viewing system capable of psychophysical measurement of visual sensitivity for the determination of ocular components is disclosed. The apparatus features electronically controlled light emitting elements whose outputs are variable with respect to intensity and temporal pattern, and can be combined by a small number of optical components. The light emitting elements can have outputs of different wavelengths, can be positioned at different retinal locations, and can be viewed through masks or apertures having different geometries. These features permit miniaturization of the device, and eliminate a major or experimental difficulty of light path alignment associated with larger systems, thus simplifying the measurement of macular pigment density compared to procedures used with a full sized optical bench.
75 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising:
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a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject;
control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element;
an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and
a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said method comprising:
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providing a test subject;
employing an apparatus to test said test subject, said apparatus comprising;
a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject;
control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element;
an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and
a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus;
determining the response of said test subject to the output of said light-emitting element; and
relating said response to the extent or condition of an ocular component in said test subject. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for psychophysical determination of visual sensitivity in an eye of a test subject, said method comprising:
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providing a test subject;
employing an apparatus to test said test subject, said apparatus comprising;
a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by the subject until the flicker of said light source appears to be eliminated;
control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element;
an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and
a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus;
determining the response of said test subject to the output of said light-emitting element, whereby said subject adjusts the light source until said light source appears to have no flicker; and
relating said response to the extent or condition of visual sensitivity in said test subject.
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16. An apparatus for psychophysical determination of visual sensitivity in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising:
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a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by the subject until the flicker of said light source appears to be eliminated;
control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element;
an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and
a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus.
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Specification