Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for training of the human visual accommodation system. Specifically, the apparatus is useful for training a person to volitionally control his focus to his far point (normally infinity) from a position of myopia due to functional causes. The functional causes could be due, for example, to a behavioral accommodative spasm or the effects of an empty field. The device may also be used to measure accommodation, the accommodation resting position and the near and far points of vision. The device comprises a number of optical elements arranged on a single optical axis (74). Several of the elements are arranged in order on a movable stage (20) in fixed relationship to each other: a light source (30), a lens (32), a target (36), an aperture (42), (48) or (52) and second lens (58). On base (18) and in fixed relationship to each other are eyepiece (70) and third lens (64).

Abstract: Pre-literate children are screened for amblyopia utilizing a simple device. A pair of eyepieces are mounted by a static structure so that the fields of view through the eyepieces are segregated. A card having two different, spaced pictorial representations of common physical objects or beings is mounted to the static structure so that the pictorial representations are visible through the eyepieces. If the pre-literate child is not able to accurately report both of the different pictorial representations on the card, the child is sent for more detailed testing.

Abstract: Patients suffering severe retinal damage and focusing impairment are tested in an area having actual or simulated outdoor illumination by viewing a graphic having colored familiar objects and letters of graduated incremental sizes thereon with colored backgrounds either darker or lighter than the objects and letters involved to ascertain the patient's estimated optimal correction for distance vision. Based on said estimate, the patient is provided with a combination of a soft contact lens between the estimated correction and a correction obtained by traditional testing methods using black letters against a white background in a darkened room, and a plurality of spectacle type lenses in incremental diopter corrections of two or three diopters for training purposes.

Abstract: An exercise device for improving poor visual acuity is disclosed in which a subject must identify randomly chosen figures of minimal visual stimulus projected in a darkened chamber. Earphones are provided to aid in the isolation of the subject and provide audio feedback. The device provides effective treatment for certain eye conditions involving poor acuity and is particularly effective in treating the eye condition known as amblyopia.

Abstract: A monocular and binocular spinning optics device for use by doctors, researchers, etc., that creates a specific visual phenomenon in front of one or both eyes of the person wearing the device wherein the lenses are constructed by cutting out and affixing stick-on type lens material, such as fresnel prisms, polarizing material, colored filters, cylinder prisms, reflective material, etc., to a plano-plastic disc. A drive motor rotates the rotating lens, which is held in registry with a stationary, non-spinning lens by spectacle frames. The direction and speed of the motor and therefore the rotating lens, along with any pauses or repetitions, are controlled by a digital computer containing the visual training program, and the visual training program, as well as the construction of the lenses, can be devised by the orthoptic practitioner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing accommodation training under clinical conditions are provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. An infrared optometer is employed to measure a patient's accommodation and outputs therefrom are employed to generate tone information and viewable patient information indicative of the state of focus in a rapid manner. A patient is trained at an empirical rate determined by the viewable information until a predetermined proficiency in the voluntary control of accommodation is achieved. Thereafter, stimuli to accommodation, the accommodation convergence reflex and blur cue information are selectively introduced to generalize the voluntary control of accommodation achieved to a conventional environment so that the same may serve to reduce various visual acuity problems in a patient being trained.

Abstract: An eye chart for use in a treatment program that includes eye exercises comprises a peripheral line defining a geometric shape and a pair of intersecting lines within the area defined by the peripheral line. Spool-shaped images are superimposed on the peripheral line in a predetermined pattern and one of the intersected lines includes an intermediate wavy portion. Numerals of desired sizes are located at various positions on the chart. The invention also encompasses several eye exercise methods utilizing the chart.

Abstract: A saccadic enhancer apparatus which will operate to improve and develop accurate saccadic fixation for a user by providing horizontal, vertical, oblique and circular patterns for the user to observe. The enhancer employs a timing generator which produces a plurality of selectable time periods during which period a particular selected pattern will be provided. The patterns selected are implemented by a plurality of LED devices which are arranged on a display screen according to the patterns desired. The pattern to be implemented is selected by a selector switch and in the case of a horizontal line pattern the LED display operates from left to right and from right to left for the selected time period. When the circular mode is selected a circular pattern is provided which moves in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction and at the end of a complete scan, a smaller circular pattern is switched to.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing accommodation training under clinical conditions are provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. An infrared optometer is employed to measure a patient's accommodation and outputs therefrom are employed to generate tone information and viewable patient information indicative of the state of focus in a rapid manner. A patient is trained at an empirical rate determined by the viewable information until a predetermined proficiency in the voluntary control of accommodation is achieved. Thereafter, stimuli to accommodation, the accommodation convergence reflex and blur cue information are selectively introduced to generalize the voluntary control of accommodation achieved to a conventional environment so that the same may serve to reduce various visual acuity problems in a patient being trained.

Abstract: A monocular and binocular spinning optics device for use by doctors, researchers, etc., that creates a specific visual phenomenon in front of one or both eyes of the person wearing the device wherein the lenses are constructed by cutting out and affixing stick-on type lens material, such as fresnel prisms, polarizing material, colored filters, cylinder prisms, reflective material, etc., to a plano-plastic disc. A drive motor rotates the rotating lens, which is held in registry with a stationary, non-spinning lens by spectacle frames. The direction and speed of the motor and therefore the rotating lens, along with any pauses or repetitions, are controlled by a digital computer containing the visual training program, and the visual training program, as well as the construction of the lenses, can be devised by the orthoptic practitioner.

Abstract: A binocular vision training device is described which includes a lighted enclosure having a pair of viewing ports through which a patient can view the interior of the enclosure, each eye being in registry with one of the ports. Within the enclosure, there are two stationary vertical posts oriented and aligned in a vertical plane bisecting the distance between the viewing ports, and a post movable in the same vertical plane back and forth from a position directly above one of the stationary posts to a position directly above the remaining stationary post. The movement of the latter post exercises critical muscle culture and the mental processes necessary for proper binocular perception of fine visual stimulus patterns.

Abstract: A binocular vision training device is described which includes a lighted enclosure having a pair of viewing ports through which a patient can view the interior of the enclosure, each eye being in registry with one of the ports. Within the enclosure, there are two stationary vertical posts oriented and aligned in a vertical plane bisecting the distance between the viewing ports, and a post movable in the same vertical plane back and forth from a position directly above one of the stationary posts to a position directly above the remaining stationary post. The movement of the latter post exercises critical muscle culture and the mental processes necessary for proper binocular perception of fine visual stimulus patterns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing visual acuity of a person wherein a target is selectively moved toward or away from the person to different positions at accurately determined distances therefrom. At each of the positions, the person is required to identify the appearance of the target which is randomly changed to any one of a plurality of different appearances. The concept includes the moving of the target further away from the person whenever the identification of the target appearance is correct at a given position and moving the target closer to the person whenever the identification is incorrect. The invention comprehends moving the target incrementally at smaller distances away from the person than toward the person. A Badal lens is interposed between the person and the target for causing the focal points to be at the nodal point of the eye of the person.

Abstract: An optical testing and exercising device including a stereo film viewer having a pair of eyepieces and one or more lenses which can be interposed along the user's line of sight to change the apparent distance of an image. The viewer also includes a housing with a pair of juxtaposed eyepieces and an opening to receive a film having a series of frames bearing images to be viewed. A frame advancing mechanism advances successive frames of the film into the line of sight of the device for viewing by the user through the juxtaposed eyepieces. The frame advancing mechanism also changes one or more lenses mounted in the housing between the eyepieces and the film receiving opening into the viewer's line of sight. The interposed lenses can be utilized for various effects, such as to change the apparent distance of the image from the viewer, thus causing the eye muscles to be exercised.