Abstract: An indirect ophthalmoscopy lens device is provided for use with a slit-lamp or other biomicroscope for examination, laser treatment or surgical treatment of a patient's eye. The device comprises an image forming lens system for collecting and focussing light exiting a patient's eye to form a real image of the fundus of the patient's eye at a location outside the eye and anterior of the image forming lens system. An anterior lens having a convex anterior surface is disposed anterior to the image forming lens system so that the real image formed by the image forming lens system is located posterior of the convex anterior surface. The convex anterior surface of the anterior lens refracts chief rays of light ray bundles of the light exiting the patient's eye generally toward a collecting lens of the slit-lamp or other biomicroscope.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ophthalmoscopic or gonioscopic lens system as well as an adapter lens systems for use with such an associated lens apparatus. The indirect ophthalmoscopy lens of the invention for use in examination or laser treatment of a patient's eye comprises a hand-held, pre-set or fixed system having at least two lens elements, each having first and second surfaces. At least one of the lens elements includes an aspheric surface of revolution. The at least two lens elements are positioned adjacent one another in a housing, such that the refractive properties of each are combined to converge light from an illumination light source to the entrance pupil of the patient's eye to illuminate the fundus thereof and form a fundus image to be viewed. The adapter lens systems of this invention are designed for use with an associated ophthalmoscopic lens, enabling selective modification of the optical characteristics of the ophthalmoscopic lens system in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: An indirect, contact ophthalmoscopy lens device for use with a slit lamp or other biomicroscope comprises a compound contact lens element and an image forming lens system. The compound contact lens element includes a posterior lens portion having a concave posterior surface with a curvature corresponding to a curvature of an average cornea and anterior lens portion having a convex anterior surface. A middle lens portion is disposed between the posterior and anterior lens portions and has an index of refraction that is different from the index of refraction of air and is different from the index of refraction of each of the posterior and anterior lens portions. The middle lens portion includes a posterior surface that conforms with intimate contact to the anterior surface of the posterior lens portion and an anterior surface that conforms with intimate contact to the posterior surface of the anterior lens portion.

Abstract: An indirect ophthalmoscopy lens device includes a plurality of lenses for collecting light emanating from a patient's eye and focussing the light to form a first, real, inverted image of the fundus of the patient's eye outside of the eye, and for reinverting the first, real, inverted image to form an erect image anterior of the device. The first, real, inverted image, rather than being an aerial image, may be formed at least partially within one of the plurality of lenses of the device. A conjugate pupil image, rather than being located in air as an aerial image of the patient's pupil, may be formed within one of the plurality of lenses of the device.

Abstract: The lens of the invention is specifically designed for use with a slit lamp biomicroscope or operating microscope in the examination or treatment of a patient's eye. The invention consists of one or more coaxial lens elements, with at least one of the lens elements utilizing at least one convex aspheric surface of revolution. The aspheric surface or surfaces utilized are chosen to correct astigmatic imagery of the lens, with the formed aerial image free of excessive field curvature and astigmatism. The lens is held at a distance from the patient's eye pupil corresponding to the secondary focal length of the lens. If the examined eye is emmetropic, and the lens is held in a position wherein the entrance pupil of the lens is conjugate with that of the examined eye, an image of the entrance pupil of the patient's eye will be formed at the pupil aperture of the optical system of the slit lamp biomicroscope used to observe the aerial image of the fundus as produced by the lens.

Abstract: An indirect ophthalmoscopy lens system includes a contact lens device and a separate image erecting component. The contact lens device includes a first holder, a contact lens element having a concave posterior surface for placement on a cornea of a patient's eye and a first image forming lens system located anterior of the contact lens element and cooperating with the contact lens element for focussing light emanating from the retina of the patient's eye for forming a real, inverted, aerial image of the patient's retina anterior of the first image forming lens system. The first holder mounts the contact lens element and the first image forming lens system in a fixed relationship to one another.

Abstract: An indirect ophthalmoscopy contact lens device includes a contact lens having a first posterior lens surface with a concave shape substantially corresponding to the shape of an average cornea and an image forming lens for collecting and focussing light exiting the patient's eye and entering the contact lens when in place on the patient's eye for forming an aerial image of the fundus of the patient's eye. The contact lens comprises a compound contact lens element including a posterior lens portion cemented to an anterior lens portion. The posterior lens portion includes the first posterior lens surface and a first anterior lens surface, and is made of a material having a first index of refraction and a first Abbe value. The anterior lens portion has a second posterior lens surface with a shape substantially matching a shape of the first anterior lens surface and a second anterior lens surface having a convex shape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ophthalmoscopic or gonioscopic lens system as well as an adapter lens systems for use with such an associated lens apparatus. The indirect ophthalmoscopy lens of the invention for use in examination or laser treatment of a patient's eye comprises a hand-held, pre-set or fixed system having at least two lens elements, each having first and second surfaces. At least one of the lens elements includes an aspheric surface of revolution. The at least two lens elements are positioned adjacent one another in a housing, such that the refractive properties of each are combined to converge light from an illumination light source to the entrance pupil of the patient's eye to illuminate the fundus thereof and form a fundus image to be viewed. The adapter lens systems of this invention are designed for use with an associated ophthalmoscopic lens, enabling selective modification of the optical characteristics of the ophthalmoscopic lens system in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: An illuminated lens case for containing a plurality of diagnostic or therapeutic lenses used in eye examination and treatment in a darkened room comprises a container having a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and a top wall enclosing an interior space. One wall may be pivotally mounted to the container and adapted to swing between open and closed positions. The lens case further comprises a pair of vertically spaced horizontal shelf-like members which together with a side wall form a channel for attaching the lens case to a table top. A partition may divide the interior space of the container into a lens chamber and a battery and circuitry chamber. The lens chamber may contain an electroluminescent lamp in strip form at the bottom, and a lens holder having the plurality of recesses for receiving lenses disposed above the lamp. The lens holder is preferably made of polyethylene foam, which is both shock absorbing and translucent so as to diffuse light from the light source.

Abstract: An ophthalmoscopy lens system is provided for collecting light rays emanating from a patient's eye and focussing the collected light rays to produce a real, aerial image of the fundus of the patient's eye. The ophthalmoscopy lens system includes a plurality of lens surfaces at least one of which is shaped to provide in conjunction with the other lens surfaces variable image distortion such that the aerial image, as viewed by an observer from a position anterior of the ophthalmoscopy lens system, has an apparent three dimensional concave curvature that imparts to the observer a sense of the actual concave curvature of the fundus being imaged.

Abstract: The lens of the invention is specifically designed for use with a slit lamp biomicroscope or operating microscope in the examination or treatment of a patient's eye. The invention consists of one or more coaxial lens elements, with at least one of the lens elements utilizing at least one convex aspheric surface of revolution. The aspheric surface or surfaces utilized are chosen to correct astigmatic imagery of the lens, with the formed aerial image free of excessive field curvature and astigmatism. The lens is held at a distance from the patient's eye pupil corresponding to the secondary focal length of the lens. If the examined eye is emmetropic, and the lens is held in a position wherein the entrance pupil of the lens is conjugate with that of the examined eye, an image of the entrance pupil of the patient's eye will be formed at the pupil aperture of the optical system of the slit lamp biomicroscope used to observe the aerial image of the fundus as produced by the lens.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a lens and an adjustable lens holder which is adapted to be positioned on an existing slit lamp biomicroscope such that the lens may be selectively positioned in the path of the illuminating light beam from the slit lamp light source. In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustable holder is designed to be rotatably positioned in association with the slit lamp light illumination apparatus and in relation to the projecting or objective lens of the slit lamp illumination system. The lens holder is designed to pass a narrowed zone on support structures associated with the light illumination apparatus and to frictionally engage a portion of the support structure while allowing rotation of the lens into and out of the path of the illuminating light beam.

Abstract: There is disclosed a diagnostic or therapeutic contact lens for use in examination or treatment of the eye of a patient. The diagnostic or therapeutic contact lens comprises a lens body, constructed of a rigid, transparent material, and includes a concave posterior surface to be selectively positioned on the cornea of an eye. The posterior surface will preferably have a curvature substantially conforming to the curvature of the cornea and will be translationally movable on the cornea during observation or treatment to facilitate examination procedures. The posterior surface of the lens body may include channels for permitting the egress of air from between the posterior surface of the lens body and the surface of the cornea of the eye being examined.

Abstract: The lens of the invention is specifically designed for use with a slit lamp biomicroscope in the examination of a patient's eye. One or more lens elements may be used with each lens element having first and second convex aspheric surfaces of revolution. The first and second aspheric surfaces are coaxial and non-symmetrical with respect to one another. The aspheric surfaces are chosen to correct astigmatic imagery of the lens, with the formed aerial image free of excessive field curvature and astigmatism. The lens is held at a distance from the patient's eye pupil corresponding to the secondary focal length of the lens. If the examined eye is emmetropic, and the lens is held in a position wherein the entrance pupil of the lens is conjugate with that of the examined eye, an image of the entrance pupil of the patient's eye will be formed at the pupil aperture of the optical system of the slit lamp biomicroscope used to observe the aerial image of the fundus as produced by the lens.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus designed to be used in association with the housing supporting an indirect ophthalmoscopy optical system is shown. The optical system may include one or more lens elements contributing to the formation of an aerial fundus image. Exact positioning of the lens elements as well as consistent lens housing dimensions insure accurate location of the aerial image relative to an examined eye. Such positioning may be accomplished by means of a contact lens of given thickness and power, in predetermined relationship with the image forming lens(es), or by means of an adapter positioned on the external eyelid of a patient, with the image forming lens(es) supported therein. A reticle is formed on a transparent disc of glass or other material, and is fitted into a supporting structure which is adapted to be selectively retained in association with the housing of the indirect ophthalmoscopy optical system.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a lens and an adjustable lens holder which is adapted to be positioned on an existing slit lamp biomicroscope such that the lens may be selectively positioned in the path of the illuminating light beam from the slit lamp light source. In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustable holder is designed to be rotatably positioned in association with the slit lamp light illumination apparatus and in relation to the projecting or objective lens of the slit lamp illumination system. The lens holder is designed to pass a narrowed zone on support structures associated with the light illumination apparatus and to frictionally engage a portion of the support structure while allowing rotation of the lens into and out of the path of the illuminating light beam.

Abstract: A diagnostic indirect ophthalmoscopy lens device utilized for illumination and observation of the fundus of the eye may include a plus powered aspheric contact element and at least one anterior lens element which may also have aspheric surfaces and/or positive refractive power. The lens elements in combination act to illuminate and form an inverted aerial image of the fundus of the eye. A erecting optical system may be provided to reinvert the image produced by the lenses of the device, which facilitates examining or surgical procedures. The device may be a hand held device to enable easy manipulation, or may be a non-hand held device which maintains its position on the eye to be examined. The device may further include a separate source of illuminating light which allows proper illumination of the eye while avoiding reflections or the like.

Abstract: A multifocal lens configuration is disclosed having a lens body with first and second surfaces wherein at least one of the surfaces is defined three dimensionally as being rotationally non-symmetric about the optical axis of the lens. The lens surface may be described and modeled as having angular zones or sectors of differing curvature responsible for near, intermediate or distance vision or combinations thereof. The lens surface is defined by a plurality of individually defined semi-meridian sections radiating centrifugally from the apical umbilical point or polar axis of the lens surface, wherein each of the semi-meridian sections are tangent to one another at the apical umbilical point and form a continuous smooth surface in conjunction with one another. Each of the semi-meridian sections may be differently and uniquely shaped, and are defined according to shape and magnitude, wherein the semi-meridian sections within an angular zone may be constant or may vary in a continuous and regular manner.

Abstract: A compound diagnostic indirect ophthalmoscopy contact lens utilized for illumination and observation of the fundus of the eye including a plus powered meniscus aspheric contact element and a biconvex aspheric anterior element, each of the lens elements contributing positive refractive power to the optical system and co-acting to illuminate and form an aerial image of the fundus of the eye.