Abstract: An electro-active phoropter and a method of using the electro-active phoropter to measure a patient's vision prescription is disclosed. The electro-active phoropter includes a series of individually addressable electro-active lenses. The lenses have either a positive or negative optical power when an electrical potential is applied across the lens and a neutral optical power when no electrical potential is applied across the lens. Each lens provides an optical power that is part of a net optical power of the series of lenses when a patient views through the phoropter. The optical power of the phoropter can be incrementally adjusted by changing the distribution of the electrical potential across the different lenses of the series to provide increasing or decreasing optical power until a patient achieves a desired level of clarity and a vision prescription has been determined.

Abstract: An optometry apparatus of the present invention comprises an optical element 26 provided in a correction optical system 1, which has a spherical lens 24 and a cylindrical lens 25 and which corrects examined eyes E to be subjected to optometry, wherein the optical element is used so that targets are seen as if they were dispersed in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis O1 and shown simultaneously at a different distance or position in a direction of an optical axis through the eyes E to be subjected to optometry.

Abstract: Microscopes with a noncontact wide-angle viewing scope are used during surgeries on the eye, wherein an electromotively adjustable optic is provided between the lens and the eye. In order to prevent the surgeon from interrupting the surgery in order to refocus and to allow the electromotive drive to be maintained in a sterile condition, the drive is provided above the lens and is rotatably connected to an adjusting gear for the optic by means of a flexible drive shaft which can be released from the drive.

Abstract: A subjective ophthalmic refractor of a type comprising a ring-shaped cylinder power scale having an internal gear actuated by a scale drive gear connected to a cylinder power adjustment knob of the refractor is improved by providing a bearing insert within the cylinder power scale. The bearing insert includes radially and axially facing annular bearing surfaces extending about a substantial portion of the scale, and a cut-out region allowing space necessary for the scale drive gear.

Abstract: A subjective optometric apparatus is provided, which enables the subject to undergo a vision test in a manner as if wearing a trial frame.

Abstract: A subjective ophthalmic refractor is improved for operator visibility in a darkened examination room by forming a cylinder axis scale of the refractor as a light-transmitting component having opaque scale gradations and installing a polar array of illumination sources to project light through the cylinder axis scale, which preferably includes a translucent material for diffuse illumination. In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder axis scale includes a photoluminescent material to which the scale gradations are applied. The refractor is further improved by installing respective illumination sources near a cylinder power readout and a sphere power readout of the refractor. The disclosure additionally relates to a method for retrofitting an ophthalmic refractor to illuminate the cylinder axis scale, cylinder power readout, and sphere power readout.

Abstract: A subjective ophthalmic refractor is improved for operator visibility in a darkened examination room by forming a cylinder axis scale of the refractor as a light-transmitting component having opaque scale gradations and installing a polar array of illumination sources to project light through the cylinder axis scale, which preferably includes a translucent material for diffuse illumination. In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder axis scale includes a photoluminescent material to which the scale gradations are applied. The refractor is further improved by installing respective illumination sources near a cylinder power readout and a sphere power readout of the refractor. The disclosure additionally relates to a method for retrofitting an ophthalmic refractor to illuminate the cylinder axis scale, cylinder power readout, and sphere power readout.

Abstract: To enable evaluation of the binocular performance of spectacle lenses and display of the result of the evaluation, a method and an apparatus for evaluating and indicating the binocular performance of spectacle lenses. Binocular performance indexes indicating the binocular performance of the spectacle lenses to an object point within a visual field when it is observed through specific positions on both lenses are defined. For all object points in the visual field, the binocular performance indexes are derived. An image of the visual field, in which each pixel is assigned a monochromatic luminosity or a set of primary RGB color luminosity according to the value of the binocular performance index for viewing the corresponding object point, is created and displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for creating visual power of a blind person, who has lost a visual ability due to various reasons, thereby recovering the visual ability of the blind person. The visual power creating apparatus includes a CCD camera for picking up the image of an object, a TFF LCD monitor for displaying the image picked up by the CCD camera, a light source for illuminating the TFT LCD monitor at the rear side of the TFT LCD monitor and adapted to increase the illuminance of the image displayed on the TFT LCD monitor, a control box for supplying electric power to the CCD camera and the TFT LCD monitor and transmitting the image from the CCD camera to the TFT LCD monitor via an image transmission line, and an optical system for enlarging the image displayed on the TFT LCD monitor to the actual size of the object.

Abstract: A visual tracking device comprises a light screening member having a relatively high light transmission region and a relatively low light transmission region substantially surrounding the relatively high light transmission region. By means of this arrangement, text, symbols or other markings underlying the high light transmission region are readily discernable and text, symbols and other markings underlying the low light transmission region are less readily discernable.

Abstract: A plastic trial lens having a grip portion gripped when the lens is set in trial frames for trial lenses, an injection molded product for making the trial lenses, and a mold assembly for molding the injection molded product are provided. In the injection molded product molded by means of the mold assembly in an injection compression molding machine, a grip portion and a liquid guided and collected area are molded simultaneously with a lens portion on a periphery of the lens portion. When the injection molded product is dipped into hard coat liquid, the hard coat liquid is guided in the liquid guided and collected area to drip down and the remaining liquid without dripping down is collected in the liquid guided and collected area, thereby forming a coating film of uniform thickness on the lens portion. The plastic trial lens which is integrally provided with the grip portion is finished after the liquid guided and collected area is removed.

Abstract: An optical lens selection apparatus by which an individual who engages in an activity such as welding, machining, wood working or the like, and who wishes to obtain enhanced viewing of a work piece may readily choose an appropriate lens for use with a protective eye mask. The apparatus of the present invention is comprised generally of: a box-like casing; a lens evaluation compartment fixed to the casing; a drum member situated within and movably attached to the lens evaluation compartment; a plurality of slide-like plates, each of the slide-like plates being provided with an optical lens, the plurality of slide-like plates being fixed to the drum member; and a viewing means releasably attachable to the lens evaluation compartment for use with the drum member and the plurality of optical lenses fixed thereto.

Abstract: A phoropter comprises two observation channels, in each of said observation channels a plurality of disk-shaped mounts, rotatably seated about at least one axis, for mounting optically effective members and drive means for rotating said mounts. The drive means are piezoelectric motors, each of which is, on the one hand, connected to a base and, on the other hand, provided with a driving end portion, preferably a driven member which executes a rotating motion. The driven member is, compared to the piezoelectric motor, of small design.

Abstract: A computer controlled subjective refractor includes a microcomputer based remote hand control connected to an enclosure which houses the optical elements of the refractor and which controls their operation for the examination of a patient. The enclosure has a beam splitter extending at its bottom and a forehead rest extending near its bottom such that a patient's eyes are positioned near the bottom of the enclosure to view into the beam splitter and thereby materially reduce accommodation which would otherwise interfere with the accurate refracting of the patient's eyes. Movement and position location of the optical elements are achieved through a microcomputer based electronic controller which is in communication with the microcomputer remote hand control. Additionally, a microcomputer based target projector assembly may be used to selectively project any of a wide number of images comprised of eye charts and the like for testing the patient's vision.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens selection system for untrained persons includes a carrier that is slidably mounted in a viewer module. An eye chart faces the viewer module and an elongated arm connects the chart to the viewer module and lens carrier. The carrier is an elongated strip having a plurality of lenses along its length, each of the lenses has a different refractive power. The lenses are molded of polymethyl methacrylate in a one-piece lens/carrier assembly. In use, a prospective purchaser of eyeglasses looks with one eye at the eye chart through an opening in the viewer module and through a single lens on the carrier. The carrier is slidingly moved through the viewer module so that each lens, in turn, is used in viewing the eye chart until a clear image on the chart is obtained. The procedure is repeated for the other eye.

Abstract: Color imaging projection apparatus for projecting a pair of laterally spaced, collimated, colored light beams onto the iris portion of an individual's eyes while viewing him/herself in a two-way mirror. A housing is provided wherein is located a light source, a color wheel, a pair of laterally spaced, optical collimating rods, and a front-surfaced mirror. Light from the light source passes through a selected color filter of the color wheel, through the optical collimating rods which transmit two discreet, colored beams of light onto the front-surfaced mirror which, in turn, directs the beams of colored light through the two-way mirror to the individual located on the opposite side thereof. The individual positions him/herself with the colored light beams impinging the iris portion of their eyes as the individual views him/herself in the two-way mirror.

Abstract: A projector slide apparatus for use in a duplex optical chart projector of the type used by optometrists and eye care professionals. The apparatus is insertable into and capable of variable movement within the optical chart projector towards combined simultaneous projection of indicia from an optical acuity chart slide onto a display screen; at different acuity diffusion levels for further testing, evaluating and measuring of the capabilities and sensitivities of the patient's eye.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fundus camera which can take photographs other than by fluorescence or by fluorescence. An optical device is withdrawn from the optical path of a photographic system at the same time as a barrier filter for taking photographs by fluorescence is inserted and is inserted in the optical path of the photographic system for observation purposes at the same time as the barrier filter is removed. The optical device has the same optical path length as the barrier filter, and thus a focused fundus image attained during observation is not upset when fluorescent photographs are taken.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring or determining refractive errors are disclosed. In some embodiments the invention includes two bars, each containing multiple lenses positioned longitudinally along the bar, and a collar adapted to constrain relative movement of the bars. Moving, or sliding, the bars and collar positions various lenses in the patient's line of sight, permitting the patient to determine which combination produces the best vision. If asymmetrical lenses are included in either bar, rotating the appropriate lens (either directly or by rotating the bar) provides additional information concerning the optimal refractive correction. The collar or bar may further comprise an indicator for signifying the angular rotation of any asymmetrical lens positioned along the patient's line of sight.

Abstract: The ophthalmic photographic apparatus of the invention comprises a means of detecting abnormalities in the filters used when a fluorescent agent is caused to fluoresce by infra-red light in order to photograph a subject's eye. According to the ophthalmic photographic apparatus of the invention, the abnormality-detecting means detects an abnormality if there is a flaw or deterioration of a filter used to take a photograph when a fluorescent agent is caused to fluoresce by infra-red light. The abnormality-detecting means preferably detects abnormalities of an exciter filter which transmits infra-red light in a specific wavelength range which causes fluorescence of a fluorescent agent in an illuminating optical system having an illuminating light source.

Abstract: The phoropter is provided with a rotating knob means for selecting specific types of functions (12,13,14), the angular position being picked up by means of a pulse generator, e.g.

Abstract: A device permitting the rapid determination of scotopic sensitivity syndrome comprised of small cards with colored filters on visual test patterns. The filter's frequencies correspond to the receptor frequencies of the cones in the retina and their combinations.

Abstract: A method for prescribing bifocal spectacles for a person having reduced visual acuity includes placing a trial frame on the face of said person in front of his eyes and measuring a far interpupillary distance when said person is viewing a distant object, placing corrective lenses in said frame until said person views said distant object with acuity, placing high plus lenses in said frame for each eye and moving said right and left trial frame sections towards each other while said person is viewing text at a nearer distance and until said person can read said text with binocular vision and then obtaining a near interpupillary distance from said frame and recording said far and near distances with said far prescription and said high plus diopter to employ said recorded data to fabricate bifocal spectacles for said person from said data. The resulting spectacles are also described.

Abstract: An eye examining apparatus has an eye examining lens of an elastic material opposed to an eye to be examined, and control means for causing the marginal portion of the eye examining lens to protrude or sink to thereby change the lens surface of the eye examining lens.

Abstract: A color-corrected vision testing apparatus and method are provided, such having a blue filtered incandescent illuminating source in a light-occluding housing for high contrast translumination of test patterns also in said housing to obtain improved testing of acuity levels.

Abstract: A visibility gauge in the form of a disc or strip of diffusing material arranged to be interposed in the light path from a subject to an observer. The diffusiveness of the strip varies along its length so that the contrast between the subject and its background can be selectively varied by arranging the strip to transmit progressively greater or smaller proportions of diffused light until a threshold of visibility is reached. The strip may be in the form of a wedge of diffusing material or a clear strip with one surface treated to be progressively more diffusive towards one end.

Abstract: A compact refraction instrument for use in both the objective and subjective examination of human eyes. The instrument incorporates an alignment mode, a retinoscopy mode, a distance mode and near mode. For carrying out the functions associated with these modes, the instrument includes a Brewster stereoscope and a system for supporting a plurality of binocular/monocular vision testing slides. Positioned along the pair of optical paths between the Brewster stereoscope and the slide supporting system are: a first mask/septum system; a mode change system; a second mask/septum system; and a horizontal/vertical target mask system. The instrument also includes a refractor system and apparatus for suspending the refractor system in the optical paths before the Brewster stereoscope. The slide supporting system includes two rotatable concentric drums. The mode change system includes a first mirror for folding the optical paths when the instrument is used for subjective testing at a distance and near vision testing.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the location relative to eyeglass frames of points at which visual axes penetrate through eyeglass areas of eyeglasses includes a sighting object having two concentric target zones one of which emits polarized light. A support is removably attached to an eyeglass frame and at least one polarized filter having a polarization plane extending transversely of that of the light issuing from the one target zone is mounted on the support for movement in parallelism with the respective eyeglass area toward a position of registry with the respective visual axis, in which position the polarized filter at least substantially obscures the one target zone. Another, larger, polarization filter is removably mounted on the support and obscures the one target zone for the eye which is not then being examined.