Abstract: Methods and devices are described that are needed to design and fabricate modified surfaces on contact lenses or on corneal tissue that correct the eye's optical aberrations beyond defocus and astigmatism. The invention provides the means for: 1) measuring the eye's optical aberrations either with or without a contact lens in place on the cornea, 2) performing a mathematical analysis on the eye's optical aberrations in order to design a modified surface shape for the original contact lens or cornea that will correct the optical aberrations, 3) fabricating the aberration-correcting surface on a contact lens by diamond point turning, three dimensional contour cutting, laser ablation, thermal molding, photolithography, thin film deposition, or surface chemistry alteration, and 4) fabricating the aberration-correcting surface on a cornea by laser ablation.

Abstract: Cataract and other diseases of the eye which degrade the clarity of the ocular media cause blurred vision and sensitivity to glare. Vision tests that require patients with unclear ocular media to read letter charts are not always reliable indicators of vision loss because these tests are sensitive to such subjective variables as patients' reading and language skills as well as neurological status. The invention provides a non-invasive means for the objective assessment of vision loss in patients with unclear ocular media thus overcoming the difficulties associated with subjective vision tests.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to determine the degree of cataractogenesis of a lens in vivo. By collecting and determining the intensity of light scattered from a measurement location in the lens and comparing this value to the intensity of light scattered by a normal, clear lens region or a calibrating element, it is possible to determine the degree of cataractogenesis at the specific measurement location. This data may be applied to an experimentally determined and theoretically deduced universal curve in order to determine quantitatively the degree of cataractogenesis at that particular location in the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive in vivo inspection of ocular tissue wherein a laser provides a low power, coherent and uniform output beam of light which is guided through the optical system of a modified slit lamp biomicroscope to the eye of a patient for scattering by protein molecules in the ocular tissue of the patient, and scattered laser light in the ocular tissue is viewed through the slit lamp to visually align a pick up associated with the slit lamp optical system to a desired location in the ocular tissue. A measurement is performed by receiving laser light scattered from the ocular tissue and converting the scattered light into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is analyzed by sorting it into components each characterized by an intensity and a fluctuation rate and each component associated with a protein group in the ocular tissue.

Abstract: A gas or vapor sensing and alarm device in an air purifying respirator for warning the wearer of hazardous levels of gases or vapors penetrating through the respirator cartridge. An exothermic sensor which can be fitted in the cartridge adaptor or facepiece cavity of the respirator monitors the heat evolved during adsorption of the vapor or gas into the sensor's adsorbent and triggers in alarm when the respirator cartridge has reached the end of its service life.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described that are needed to design and fabricate modified surfaces on contact lenses or on corneal tissue that correct the eye's optical aberrations beyond defocus and astigmatism. The invention provides the means for: 1) measuring the eye's optical aberrations either with or without a contact lens in place on the cornea, 2) performing a mathematical analysis on the eye's optical aberrations in order to design a modified surface shape for the original contact lens or cornea that will correct the optical aberrations, 3) fabricating the aberration-correcting surface on a contact lens by diamond point turning, three dimensional contour cutting, laser ablation, thermal molding, photolithography, thin film deposition, or surface chemistry alteration, and 4) fabricating the aberration-correcting surface on a cornea by laser ablation.