Abstract: An endophotocoagulation probe has a probe tip adapted for insertion into the eye of a subject, and includes an optical fiber for carrying light, and a lens for focusing the light from the end of the fiber onto target tissue at a desired working distance. The lens forms a convergent beam with the waist of the beam providing a spot of maximum power density whose size is independent of the ocular medium. In a preferred embodiment a positioner provides selective variation of the spacing between the lens and the fiber to select a desired spot size. Preferably the lens is a selfocal or rod lens. A step-positioning handle selects one of a plurality of determined spacings, so as to achieve plural different spot sizes, each having a predetermined power density. Examples of probes having variable spot sizes in ranges from 50 to 500 microns are described with particular fibers and selfocal lens elements. A microprocessor may control lens position and light input power in accordance with the selected spot size.

Abstract: A stereoscopic ophthalmoscope for use with a condensing lens to observe the fundus of a patient's eye, the ophthalmoscope having a left eyepiece and a right eyepiece, a light source for directing light into the patient's eye so that an image of the patient's eye is focused by the condensing lens in a focal plane perpendicular to an optical axis, the ophthalmoscope having the improvements consisting of an image-splitting device for splitting the image into a left image and a right image travelling along a left optical path and a right optical path, respectively, left and right image-rotating devices arranged in optical alignment with the image-splitting device for inverting and reversing each of the left and right images from the image-splitting device, and left and right magnifying devices, each including an objective lens and an ocular lens and each arranged in optical alignment with the respective image-rotating devices to magnify the image therefrom and to transmit that image to the respective eyepiece.

Abstract: A surgical ophthalmoscope for observing the fundus of a patient's eye, the ophthalmoscope having a left eyepiece and a right eyepiece, a light source for directing light into the patient's eye, a condensing lens for focusing an image of the patient's eye in a focal plane perpendicular to an optical axis, a telescopic tube, an image-interchanging device for splitting the image into a left image and a right image and then interchanging the images such that image rays entering the right side of the condensing lens are directed to a right optical path, while image rays from the left side are directed to a left optical path, and left and right magnifying devices, each including an objective lens and an ocular lens situated between the image-interchanging device and the eyepieces in optical alignment to magnify the interchanged images and to transmit the magnified images to the respective eyepieces.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for photocoagulation of the fundus of a patient's eye eliminates the contact lens and provides for binocular viewing. The technique is characterized by the utilization of a common ophthalmoscopic lens for each of the illumination beam, the observation beam, and the laser beam. A scanning mirror for the laser beam is disposed on the optical axis and is rotatable in two dimensions about a fixed point which is conjugated with the nodal point of the patient's eye with respect to the ophthalmoscopic lens. The binocular viewing paths are converged onto a point on the optical axis in the plane of the first aerial image of the fundus provided by the ophthalmoscopic lens; the laser beam reflected by the scanning mirror is also focused onto that point.

Abstract: A macula-disc camera records the first aerial image of the patient's fundus to provide an actual increase in resolution of retinal detail not obtainable by merely magnifying this image with the recording optics. An array of optical fibers surrounds the contact lens to illuminate a limied field of the fundus, on the order of 18.degree.. A high degree of contrast is achieved by tightly separating the observation and illumination beams throughout the lens of the cornea and crystalline lens. Magnification, is on the order of 6.8 times.

Abstract: A wide-angle indirect ophthalmoscope that enables an operator to view the retina from the posterior pole to the equator as a single image. The ophthalmoscope has an observable field that can include the entire retina. The ophthalmoscope includes optical fibers built into a contact lens in a circular pattern. The fibers are connected to a light source to illuminate the retina, and the contact lens is utilized for observation. The fibers are maintained in a pre-determined fixed orientation in the lens to produce uniform illumination over the entire retina.

Abstract: A scanning ophthalmoscope for repeatedly scanning a selected portion of an eye fundus has a laser source which produces a directed narrow-beam output and means for scanning the fundus with at least one selected scanning sequence. The scanning beam passes through a pivot point located in a preselected plane, preferably within the eye, for providing a wide field of view. An optical system directs light reflected from the fundus to a detector, which produces an electrical output signal proportional to the detected light. An output element provides a visual representation of the magnitude of the output signal in a spatial distribution corresponding to the scanning sequence.

Abstract: Apparatus for viewing an eye fundus through a contact lens has an illuminating element that illuminates the fundus through the sclera. The illuminating element includes at least one fiber optic bundle with an exit facet for placement contiguous with the sclera, generally through whatever thickness of occular conjunctiva is present. The apparatus also has an optical mask system which masks the image of the fundus portion most intensely illuminated by the fiber optic exit facet to control over-illumination of that fundus portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in an illuminating system for an ophthalmoscope of the type employing transillumination through the sclera of the eye. One or more fiber optic bundles convey light from a source to the sclera. Each fiber optic bundle has a physically separated tip portion of relatively small size (e.g., less than one inch long) and mass supported in a fitting. The tip portion is biased in a direction away from the main fiber optic bundle, is optically aligned therewith, and has a maximum separation therefrom of approximately 0.160 inch (4 mm). With this arrangement, a light biasing force applied to the tip portion can absorb any movement of the tip portion as it is placed in contact with the eye. The small force thus applied to the eye, even if there is minor over-exertion of pressure by the instrument operator, reduces the possibility of damage to the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus for viewing an eye fundus through a contact lens has a lamp element that illuminates the fundus through the sclera. The lamp element preferably includes at least one fiber optic bundle with an exit facet for placement contiguous with the sclera, generally through whatever thickness of ocular conjunctiva is present. The apparatus can include a further lamp element having fiber facets arrayed around the viewing lens for illuminating the fundus through the crystal lens of the eye being examined.

Abstract: A wide-angle indirect ophthalmoscope contains a contact lens that fits over a cornea and is surrounded by two rings of optical fibers for illumination of the eye fundus. The two rings of fibers are oriented to maximize illumination of the fundus while reducing troublesome reflections. The inside ring is formed of fibers with a numerical aperture and inclination selected to illuminate 100.degree. of the retina. The outside ring of fibers illuminates the periphery of the retina up to 150.degree.. The location and inclination of the rings are calculated to prevent blockage of the entrance pupil of the observation system while avoiding direct illumination of the entrance pupil.A lens series for use in an ophthalmoscope in combination with the contact lens is also disclosed.Further, a fundus camera contains the contact lens, the two rings of optical fibers, and a lens series for use in conjunction with a camera having a 50 mm focal length.