Abstract: An apparatus for enabling corneal topography includes an attachment to align a placido disc illumination system with a camera of a mobile communication device. The placido disc illumination system generates concentric rings and reflects the concentric rings off a cornea. A portion of the reflected concentric rings are utilized to confirm vertex distance. The apparatus further comprises a memory, a processor, and computer-readable instructions in a mobile communication device. The camera captures an image of reflected concentric rings and communicates the captured image of the reflected concentric rings to an external computing device. A method for performing corneal topography utilizes a mobile computing and/or communication device, projects a plurality of peripheral concentric rings onto a subject's cornea and projects center rings onto the subject's cornea. The method further includes capturing, via a smartphone camera, an image of the projected peripheral concentric rings and the center rings.

Abstract: A system and method of characterizing through-focus visual performance of an IOL using metrics based on an area under the modulation transfer function for different spatial frequencies at different defocus positions of the IOL. Also disclosed is a system and method of characterizing through-focus visual performance of an IOL using a metric based on an area under a cross-correlation coefficient for an image of a target acquired by the IOL at different defocus positions of the IOL.

Abstract: A method of virtually trying on eyeglasses includes capturing a plurality of images of a user's face, obtaining locations of a plurality of feature points on the user's face in the plurality of images, and using the locations of the plurality of feature points in the plurality of images to create a standard three-dimensional model of the user. Next, a selection is received from the user of a pair of virtual eyeglasses, the selected pair of virtual eyeglasses having a corresponding three-dimensional model depicting the size and shape of the selected pair of virtual eyeglasses. After this, a modified three-dimensional model of the user having the selected pair of virtual eyeglasses superimposed on the user's face is created according to the standard three-dimensional model of the user and the corresponding three-dimensional model of the selected pair of virtual eyeglasses. The result is then displayed for the user to see.

Abstract: The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied. Since quality information is shown at the location on which the person is already focused, the quality dependent information can easily be absorbed by the person.

Abstract: An analysis method for determining a morphological property of an optic disc and/or a retinal nerve fiber layer of an eye is, performed an ophthalmological device, in particular a perimeter, and also means for data processing using a database with functional data of a field of vision and morphological data of the optic disc and/or retinal nerve fiber layer, wherein, by the ophthalmological device, functional data of a field of vision of the eye are measured, a retina being divided into points representing the field of vision, optical stimuli of a defined intensity being provided to the points of the retina, a reaction to a stimulus being determined as a measuring result of a point, the measuring results having a statistically significant relation to morphological data of the optic disc and/or the retinal nerve fiber layer, the morphological data nerve fiber layer being derived from the measuring results and the datasets.

Abstract: In order to take advantage of the real time nature of intra-operative refraction or wavefront aberrometry, and visually make the history of the measurements apparent to a surgeon, a histogram of frequency vs IOL results calculated from an IOL formula is computed and IOL suggestions being accumulated are displayed in a histogram. One embodiment is a means to present to a surgeon a histogram of intra-operative refractions. Another embodiment is to automatically and intra-operatively detect the aphakic phase of a cataract surgery to display a histogram of a recommended IOL power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser system for detecting biomechanical properties of the cornea, which comprises a laser for emitting a pulsed laser beam, a beam transmission module, a collecting-filtering module and a spectroscopic analysis unit, the beam transmission module is used for transmitting the laser beam and focusing the laser beam onto the cornea, on the surface of which a laser-induced plasma signal is generated; the laser-induced plasma signals are collected and filtered by the collecting-filtering module; the spectroscopic analysis unit performs spectroscopic analysis on the laser-induced plasma signal to determine the biomechanical properties of the cornea. The present invention further provides a method for detecting the biomechanical properties of the cornea with the above laser system. The same laser system for LASIK surgery is utilized in the present invention to measure the biomechanical properties of the cornea timely and accurately, which improves work efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more surgical parameters of the eye over multiple sessions which are temporally spaced apart and between which the eye of the patient can have moved, said apparatus comprising: a camera for taking one or more images of the eye; a module for determining during a first session said at least one surgical parameter of the eye and its coordinates based on the image taken by said camera in a first coordinate system; a module for determining during a second session temporally spaced apart from said first session said at least one surgical parameter of the eye and its coordinates based on the image taken by said camera in a second coordinate system; a module for determining the eye motion in six degrees of freedom between said first and said second session and for determining a coordinate transformation based thereon; a module for transforming based on said determined eye motion said at least one surgical parameter of the eye and its coordinates from said first coordinate system int

Abstract: This invention concerns apparatus and a method for authenticating a subject using their eye as an identifying biometric, in particular the shape of their cornea. The apparatus comprises an image projection device to generate and project an image of a pattern, made up of plural discrete points, onto at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the person. An image capture device to capture an image of the pattern of plural discrete points, after reflection in at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the person. And, a computer processor to extract a data set defining the locations of the discrete points in the captured image. The method comprises capturing an image of an illuminated pattern, made up of plural discrete points, after reflection in at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the subject. Comparing the locations of the discrete points in the pattern of the captured image against the locations of the discrete points in the pattern of a reference image.

Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.

Abstract: A dilation tower providing a darkened space for performing a dilated fundus examination (DFE) in bright environments (e.g., stores, shopping malls, shopping centers, medical offices, etc.) is provided. In order to reach more patients in need of DFEs, the dilation tower provided may be configured to be mobile. A method of administering a DFE on a patient comprising the steps of positioning said patient in a patient area of a dilation tower, enclosing said patient and said patient area with a patient area cloak, and performing said DFE on said patient is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally refers to corneal topography systems. More specifically, it regards a Placido disc projector (or simply Placido disc) for a corneal topography system, having a novel arrangement of LED lighting.

Abstract: An ophthalmological device calculates a cornea surface shape of an eye to be examined. The ophthalmological device includes a ring image photographic optical system configured to radiate a plurality of concentric ring light to the cornea surface of the eye and take reflected images of the plurality of ring light reflected from the cornea surface of the eye, an interference optical system configured to radiate measurement light to the eye and detect interfering light composed of reflected light of the measurement light reflected from the eye and predetermined reference light. The shape of the cornea anterior surface of the eye is calculated form the reflected images of the plurality of ring light, the thicknesses of the cornea of the eye at the plurality of incident positions is calculated from the interfering light, and the posterior surface shape of the cornea of the eye is calculated based on these two results.

Abstract: A method of determining a geometrical measurement of a retina of an eye, comprising obtaining a two dimensional representation of at least a portion of the retina of the eye (34), deriving a geometrical remapping which converts the two dimensional representation of the retinal portion to a three dimensional representation of the retinal portion (36), using one or more coordinates of the two dimensional representation of the retinal portion to define the geometrical measurement to be taken of the retina on the two dimensional representation (38), using the geometrical remapping to convert the or each coordinate of the two dimensional representation of the retinal portion to an equivalent coordinate of the three dimensional representation of the retinal portion (40), and using the or each equivalent coordinate of the three dimensional representation of the retinal portion to determine the geometrical measurement of the retina of the eye (42).

Abstract: A module for use with a mobile device to measure an aberration of a patient's eye includes a light shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The light shaft includes a first plurality of optical components arranged to direct light along a first light path to the proximal end, and a second plurality of optical components arranged to direct light along a second light path to the distal end. A connector at the distal end includes at least one guide component for positioning the distal end adjacent to a light detector and a light source of the mobile device. When the distal end is positioned adjacent to the light detector and the light source, the first plurality of optical components directs light along the first light path and the second plurality of optical components directs light along the second light path.

Abstract: The surface topography of at least one wafer can be determined in-situ based on deflectometer measurements of surface tilt. The deflectometer is re-positioned by a scanning positioner to facilitate tilt mapping of the wafer surface for each of the at least one wafer. A surface height mapping engine is configured to generate a three-dimensional topographic mapping of the surface of each of the at least one wafer based on the mapping of the tilt.

Abstract: A method to drive a pixelated display of an electronic device arranged in sight of a user of the device. The method includes receiving a signal that encodes a display image, and controlling the pixelated display based on the signal to form the display image in addition to a latent image, the latent image being configured to illuminate an eye of the user with light of such characteristics as to be unnoticed by the user, but to reveal an orientation of the eye on reflection into a machine-vision system.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL), system, and method having a base lens and a complementary lens selected to form a curved image surface matching a retina surface when placed in an eye's line of sight.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a wavefront-guided scleral lens prosthetic device customized for an eye of a patient include obtaining a first scleral lens prosthetic device with a central optic zone configured to vault over the eye's cornea and a peripheral haptic zone configured to align with the eye's sclera, collecting measurements of any offset and/or rotation of the first scleral lens prosthetic device relative to the eye's pupil and of any aberrations, particularly higher-order aberrations, generating a wavefront-guided profile from the measurements, and fabricating a second scleral lens prosthetic device with the profile on a surface of a central optic zone configured to vault over the eye's cornea and a peripheral haptic zone customized to align with the eye's sclera.

Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatus for an accurate measurement of the anterior surface of the eye including the corneal and scleral regions are disclosed. The measurements provide a three-dimensional map of the surface which can be used for a variety of ophthalmic and optometric applications from astigmatism and keratoconus diagnostics to scleral lens fitting.

Abstract: If an intraocular lens is inserted in an eye to be examined, characteristics of the eye to be examined are measured after increasing light intensity of visible light projected onto the eye to be examined to be higher than light intensity at the time of measurement of an eye to be examined in which no intraocular lens is inserted.

Abstract: There is provided an ophthalmic measurement apparatus 1 including: a keratoscopic projection optical system 10 that projects a pattern target toward a cornea Ec of a subject eye E; and an imaging optical system 20, the imaging device 27 of which captures second Purkinje images Rp1 and Rp2 that are target images formed due to the pattern target being reflected from a posterior corneal surface of the subject eye E. In the ophthalmic apparatus 1, a controller 100 executes a process (S9) of detecting the second Purkinje images Rp1 and Rp2 based on an imaging signal output from the imaging device 27, and an anterior chamber information acquisition process (S10) of acquiring information of the posterior corneal surface of the subject eye E based on the detected result of the detecting process.

Abstract: Provisioned is a selecting unit configured to select a bright spot image corresponding to a reflected light beam reflected by the cornea of the subject eye from among a plurality of bright spot images on the basis of a positional relationship between a first bright spot image formed from a plurality of bright spot images corresponding to a first light beam in a first direction and a second bright spot image corresponding to a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction, and a calculating unit configured to calculate a state of alignment between the subject eye and a measuring unit using the bright spot image selected from the first bright spot images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are proposed for accurate and efficient automatic measurement of jaw and leaf positioning in multi-leaf collimator imaging systems. Specifically, the method enables the automated and objective processing of images to determine characteristics of collimator jaws and MLC leaves. These novel techniques enable verification of collimator component positioning to ensure accurate beam modulation for radiation therapy procedures.

Abstract: To promptly take a high quality image of an object to be inspected, provided is an imaging method for taking an image of the object to be inspected by irradiating the object to be inspected with measuring light, in which an aberration generated in the object to be inspected is corrected by an aberration correction unit. The method includes the repeatedly performed steps of measuring the aberration generated in the object to be inspected, correcting the aberration by controlling the aberration correction unit in accordance with the measured aberration, and storing, in a storage unit, a control state of the aberration correction unit in association with the measured aberration. The aberration correction unit is controlled in a predetermined control state stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: Systems for performing combined phoropter and refractive measurements to ascertain the aberrations present in the eye of a subject. The systems use a pair of phoropter wheel assemblies, one for each eye, each assembly comprising a number of lens wheels incorporating the series of lenses and wedges required to compensate for a range of refractive vision aberrations. The vision of each eye is corrected by a combination of a subjective phoropter measurement, iteratively performed with an objective wavefront analysis measurement to determine the residual aberrations existing after the initial phoropter correction. The system is able to automatically align the axes of each wavefront analyzer with is corresponding eye, by means of centering the pupil image in the wavefront analyzer camera, and to determine the pupil distance. By changing the focusing point on the wavefront analyzer of the light reflected from the eye, the corneal profile can be measured.

Abstract: A surgical microscopy system comprises microscopy optics for generating an image of an eye under surgery. A pattern generator generates a pattern to be superimposed with the image. An eye-tracker is provided for tracking a position of the superimposed pattern with respect to the image in case of a movement of the eye. The superimposed pattern comprises pattern elements that are equally distributed on first and second circles of different sizes, in order to give assistance when placing a suture during a corneal transplant. The superimposed pattern may also provide an assistance for orientating a toric intra-ocular lens.

Abstract: A pattern processing device includes: an input unit to input an input image containing a plurality of pattern elements; an extraction unit that calculates edge intensities of pixels from the input image so as to extract edge pixels; an evaluation unit that obtains evaluation values for determining whether the pixels are foreground pixels or background pixels, based on comparison result between first thresholds set corresponding to the edge pixels and pixel values of pixels contained in vicinity regions of the edge pixels; a binarization determining unit that determines whether the pixels are the foreground pixels or the background pixels by comparing the evaluation values with a predetermined second threshold, and a coupling component extraction unit that extracts pixel coupling components obtained by coupling the pixels adjacent in any direction among the pixels determined to be the foreground pixels.

Abstract: An optical system for measuring an observed object includes an illuminant component, an imaging component, and an optical component. The illuminant component generates a measuring light. The optical component including a mirror and a beam splitter is located between the illuminant component and the imaging component. The mirror is located between the illuminant component and the observed object, the beam splitter is located between the mirror, the observed object, and the imaging component. The measuring light is projected to the observed object via the mirror and beam splitter, and an imaging light that has been generated from the illuminant component and reflected by the observed object is projected to the imaging component via the beam splitter, the imaging light and the measuring light intersect at the beam splitter. The present invention also provides a measurement method.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for generating at least one user adjustable, accurate, real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium including data for making at least one limbal and/or corneal relaxing incision for use in astigmatism correcting procedures are disclosed. An example method includes providing at least one real-time multidimensional visualization of at least a portion of an eye to a surgeon and producing at least one rotationally accurate virtual indicium including data for making at least one limbal relaxing incision, at least one corneal relaxing incision or a combination thereof on the eye in conjunction with the real-time multidimensional visualization of at least a portion of the eye.

Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the topography of the corneal and scleral regions of the eye. The measurements provide surface contours that are useful in the manufacture of scleral contact lenses.

Abstract: A treatment method and apparatus for surgical correction of defective-eyesight in an eye of a patient, wherein a laser device is controlled by a control device, said laser device separating corneal tissue by irradiation of laser radiation to isolate a volume located within a cornea, wherein the control device controls the laser device to focus the laser radiation, by providing target points located within the cornea, into the cornea, wherein the control device, when providing the target points, allows for focus position errors which lead to a deviation between the predetermined position and the actual position of the target points when focusing the laser radiation, by pre-offsets depending on the positions of the respective target points to compensate for said focus position errors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to apparatus and methods for measuring a deformation characteristic of a deformable target surface. The measurement principles of the invention may be applied to a large variety of organic (e.g., human, animal or plant tissue) and inorganic materials having a surface that can be deformed by an applied non-contact force. The surface may be light diffusing and non-transparent or non-diffusing and transparent. An illustrative embodiment of the invention is directed to a device for measuring a deformation characteristic of a cornea. The device comprises a corneal topographer and a non-contact tonometer that is operationally integrated with the corneal topographer. In an aspect, the corneal topographer is a rasterstereography-based topographer. Use of the inventive device enables a method for measuring a deformation characteristic of the cornea.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a pupil of a subject's eye, and a control change unit configured to change a method of fogging control for moving a fixation target image away from the subject's eye according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.

Abstract: A cornea shape measurement apparatus includes: a first projecting optical system configured to project a first target on the cornea; a first imaging optical system configured to capture a reflection image of the first target projected on the cornea; a second projecting optical system configured to project a second target different from the first target on the cornea to measure a corneal shape; a second imaging optical system configured to capture a reflection image of the second target projected on the cornea; and a calculation controller configured to adjust the amount of projection light of the second projecting optical system based on the reflection image of the first target, the reflection image having been acquired by the first imaging optical system, and measuring the corneal shape of an examinee's eye based on the reflection image of the second target, the reflection image having been captured by the imaging optical system.

Abstract: A sensing system for implant surgery includes an insertion device for moving an implant into a narrow cavity in a patient's body. A sensor measures the distance from an end of the insertion device to anatomic surfaces at a distance from the end of the insertion device. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system integrates the sensor and produces OCT images, which can be quantified to distance measurements. The system is particularly useful for cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: An eye imaging system, including: a light source module; a radial splitting module; a common optical module; an image receiver; a power supply module for the light source module; a driver module for the image receiver; a processing-displaying module; and a motion driving module. The image receiver is an area array sensor. The motion driving module is connected to the light source module and drives the light source module to move in a radial direction of an upstream illuminating optical path formed by the light source module and the radial splitting module. The image receiver continually opens for exposure in a radial direction of a downstream observation optical path formed by the radial splitting module and the image receiver. The continual opening of the image receiver for signal acquisition is synchronous with the movement of the light source module.

Abstract: A wavefront device produces adjustable amplitudes in optical path differences and adjustable axis orientation angles. two substantially identical wave plates have a wavefront profile of at least the third order Zernike polynomial function which are not circularly symmetric, as denoted by Z(i,j) where i?3 and j?0. The wave plates are mounted in rotatable mounts with their optical centers substantially aligned with each other. An subjective wavefront refraction instrument and method are provided to correct low and high order aberrations of the eye, using the adjustable wave plates that have astigmatism and higher order Zernike function optical path difference wavefront profiles.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system for use in performing angular measurements in relation to a patient's eye. The ophthalmic system can include an optical angular measurement device that can provide angular indicia by, for example, projecting an image of an angular measurement reticle onto a patient's eye or by superimposing an image of an angular measurement reticle onto an image of the patient's eye. The ophthalmic system can include an optical refractive power measurement device for providing desired angular orientations for ocular implants or for incisions. The ophthalmic system can be used, for example, to align a toric intraocular lens to a desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A system for surgical treatment of an eye includes a laser arrangement that is adapted to emit light with a wavelength and repetition-rate suitable for surgical treatment of the eye. The system further includes a temperature-registration device that is adapted to register the temperature of an object that is to be subjected to the light of the laser arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for an eye marker device that includes a handle having an interior cavity, a marking means coupled to the handle, and a rotational scale for providing a visual representation of the angle of the marking means relative to a predetermined origination point.

Abstract: A system for ophthalmic surgery on an eye includes: a pulsed laser which produces a treatment beam; an OCT imaging assembly capable of creating a continuous depth profile of the eye; an optical scanning system configured to position a focal zone of the treatment beam to a targeted location in three dimensions in one or more floaters in the posterior pole. The system also includes one or more controllers programmed to automatically scan tissues of the patient's eye with the imaging assembly; identify one or more boundaries of the one or more floaters based at least in part on the image data; iii. identify one or more treatment regions based upon the boundaries; and operate the optical scanning system with the pulsed laser to produce a treatment beam directed in a pattern based on the one or more treatment regions.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to machine a material by application of non-linear radiation. The aim is achieved by modifying the laser radiation emitted by a laser beam source with the aid of a polarization modulator in such a way that laser radiation focused into the material is polarized in a linear fashion, the direction of polarization varying across the cross section of the beam.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus is configured to determine a direction in which a target that is used to adjust a working distance comes into focus based on an influence of astigmatism contained in a cornea reflection image of an eye to be examined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a binocular visual simulator for correcting eyeball aberration by using adaptive optics to form a chart image on both eyes. The binocular visual simulator includes; a chart-projecting unit for producing a chart light; an adaptive optics element for changing the chart light in accordance with wavefront aberration measured for both eyes; a beam splitter for dividing the changed chart light into two chart lights; a left eye correction unit for changing the divided chart light in accordance with wavefront aberration of the left eye so that the chart light is focused on a retina of the left eye; and a right eye correction unit for changing the divided chart light in accordance with wavefront aberration of the right eye so that the chart light is focused on a retina of the right eye.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved techniques for evaluating performance of intraocular lenses. Such techniques can be used to evaluate lens designs and can help reduce the need for multiple clinical trials that may otherwise be needed to evaluate multiple design iterations. In one embodiment, a method is provided for method for evaluating performance of an intraocular lens, where the method comprises capturing a plurality of images through the intraocular lens at different focus positions; displaying at least one selected image from the plurality of images to a test subject; receiving input from the test subject indicative of perceived acuity of the at least one selected image; and determining a measure of intraocular lens performance from the received input.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and associated methods for the generation of at least one user adjustable, accurate, real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium including natural patient vertical for use in ocular surgery. The apparatus used to generate real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium including natural patient vertical includes one or more real-time, multidimensional visualization modules, one or more data processors configured to produce real-time, virtual surgical reference indicia, and at least one user control input for adjusting the at least one real-time virtual surgical reference indicium including natural patient vertical.