Abstract: The present invention is biocompatible polymer containing the copolymerization product of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic and/or allelic monomers, graft-polymerized with telo-collagen. The present material is useful in the production of deformable lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, refractive intraocular contact lenses, and standard contact lenses useful, for example, for correcting aphekia, myopia and hypermetropia.

Abstract: The present invention is biocompatible polymer containing the copolymerization product of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic and/or allelic monomers, graft-polymerized with telo-collagen. The present material is useful in the production of deformable lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, refractive intraocular contact lenses, and standard contact lenses useful, for example, for correcting aphekia, myopia and hypermetropia.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for mapping the surface of an object, in particular, a transparent object such as anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea, in a clinically useful time using a single optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern generator projects a pattern of light and dark areas onto a patient's cornea, and a light detector receives patterns reflected from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. A mapping means generates a three-dimensional map of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces from information regarding the projected and detected light patterns. The invention can be used to map other transparent objects such as a contact lens or an intraocular device, e.g., an intrastromal ring. The invention can also be used to map the surface of an opaque object.

Abstract: An ophthalmic measuring apparatus has an optical system for measurement, a light source unit for measurement, an image pickup element for picking up the cornea reflection image of the light source by an eye to be examined through the optical system for measurement, a signal processing unit for effecting cornea shape measurement from the image pickup data of the cornea reflection image obtained by the image pickup element, and a control unit for automatically causing the signal processing unit to execute measurement on the basis of the information of the position, on the image pickup element, of the cornea reflection image obtained by the image pickup element and/or the focusing information of the cornea reflection image.

Abstract: A contact lens and method of use are disclosed where the lens has a vertical orienting mass and an occluded portion that restricts light passing through the portion. The occluded portion can be preselected to continuously restrict visual input to any portion of the retina, regardless of movement of the eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus comprises a first ophthalmic device and a second ophthalmic device. The first ophthalmic device is provided with a first examining part for examining optical characteristics of examinee's eye, a first memory device for memorizing data detected by the first examining part, and device for transmitting by wireless the detected data of the first memory device to the second ophthalmic device. The second ophthalmic device is provided with a second examining part for examining optical characteristics of examinee's eye, device for receiving the detected data of the first ophthalmic device transmitted by the wireless transmitting device, a second memory device for memorizing data detected by the second examining part, and device for outputting the detected data of the first and the second examining parts respectively in a predetermined format.

Abstract: An eye measuring apparatus includes a refracting power detector for measuring the refracting power of an eye to be examined, a fogging producer for moving the position of a target image in the direction of the optical axis of the eye to be examined, and a feedback controller for receiving an output from the refracting power detector, and moving the position of the target image in a direction, in which accommodation of the eye to be examined is relaxed, in accordance with refracting power information measured in a predetermined meridian direction of the eye to be examined and astigmatic information of the eye to be examined obtained from refracting power values measured in a plurality of meridian directions of the eye to be examined.

Abstract: A method for focusing a corneal topographer by determining the maximum intensity of a reflected light during a first focusing sweep and capturing the topographic image during a second sweep when the reflection intensity reaches the maximum intensity.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus measures characteristics of an eye using a projection mechanism that projects a target onto a fundus of the eye in a plurality of meridional directions in a cornea of the eye so as to substantially cover all over the cornea. A detection mechanism detects a position of the target image projected onto the fundus. A processor calculates refractive power values in the meridional directions based on the positions detected by the detection mechanism. The results are graphically displayed to permit an operator to quickly understand and interpret the results at a glance.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for mapping the surface of an object, in particular, a transparent object such as anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea, in a clinically useful time using a single optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern generator projects a pattern of light and dark areas onto a patient's cornea, and a light detector receives patterns reflected from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. A mapping means generates a three-dimensional map of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces from information regarding the projected and detected light patterns. The invention can be used to map other transparent objects such as a contact lens or an intraocular device, e.g., an intrastromal ring. The invention can also be used to map the surface of an opaque object.

Abstract: In a pupil center detection method and a pupil ring portion detection method, which can obtain a pupil center and a pupil ring portion necessary for calculating a sight axis of an eyeball from specific points on the basis of a light beam reflected by the eyeball, when the position of the pupil center of the eyeball is detected by utilizing an image based on a light beam radiated from a projection device onto the eyeball and reflected by the eyeball, a large number of pupil ring portion positions are obtained, an average value and a standard deviation of the large number of pupil ring portion positions are obtained, and the pupil center is detected using values within a range defined by the average value and the standard deviation.

Abstract: A eye exercising process and apparatus for an individual focusing on a viewable object, such as a computer monitor or television screen, and causing the object through means to slowly reciprocate or oscillate, generally at a predetermined rate, whereby the viewer's eye muscles are exercised without visual distraction.

Abstract: An improved photokeratoscopic method and apparatus for measuring corneal curvature and topography. The principal of parallax is used by generating a reference light point outside of the relevant plane of a ring generator, such that the relative apparent position of the reference light point with respect to the projected light rings provides a calibration reference that varies with distance of a cornea from the photokeratoscope. More particularly, the invention determines the coordinates in space and the tangent angle of the reflection point on the corneal surface of the image of the reference light point. This information defines the actual corneal topography at the reflection point, without making assumptions. These coordinates and tangent angle can be used to determine the actual distance d from the photokeratoscope lens to the apex of the cornea. An exact value of d permits better accuracy in calculating the central corneal radius of curvature and corneal topography.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring the shape of a surface of an object in compact size, in easy operability and with improved measurement precision. The apparatus is provided with a measurement relay system and an observation relay system for respectively guiding a reflected image of index on the object surface through an objective lens to re-image it at a certain magnification on a photoelectric converter, a member enclosing the measurement relay system and the observation relay system and disposed between the objective lens and the photoelectric converter, and rotating means for rotating the member such that either the optical axis of the measurement relay system or the optical axis of the observation relay system is made coincident with an optical path between the objective lens and the photoelectric converter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining a prescription for contact lenses, comprising in cooperative combination a refractometer and a keratometer, both hooked up to a computer, comprising a program for processing the results obtained from said meters in any desired sequence, optionally supplemented with personal data and the results of a tono-meter and/or vertexmeter in optional sequence. The apparatus and method are also suitable for detecting any requirement for readjustment of the lenses after a period of time of use, comparing the new data with the data stored in the memory of the computer, and providing any readjustment required.

Abstract: A method for use in preparing a customized multifocal contact lens includes the step of providing a standard diagnostic contact lens having an annular portion with a concave cornea-fitting posterior surface and a central portion with a predetermined convex anterior surface and a concave aspherical posterior surface of predetermined eccentricity. The diagnostic contact lens is placed on the cornea of a patient's eye so that the fitting surface is in substantial contact with the cornea. The diagnostic contact lens is allowed to align itself with the cornea in an off-center position. Upon an alignment of the diagnostic contact lens in the off-center position, two or more test lenses are disposed in series before the patient's eye to determine a power curve with which the anterior surface of the central portion could be formed to provide optimal near and far vision for the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the spherical surface of the cornea including an annular mounting frame for fastening to the microscope barrel of a refracting unit, two contact metal springs concentrically fastened to the annular mounting frame at the bottom, a centering device suspended within the annular mounting frame to hold a light emitting diode at the center of the annular mounting frame, an annular light holder fastened to the annular mounting frame at the bottom to hold a series of light emitting diodes permitting them to be abutted against one another around a circle, and a lens grip fastened to the annular mounting frame at the bottom to hold down the annular light holder and having a lens on the inside for condensing the light of the light emitting diodes of the annular light holder into a ring of light for projecting onto the spherical surface of the cornea for measuring refraction of the eye.

Abstract: The device comprises a luminous source 3 in the form of a circular ring, an optical doublet 4 and a matrix camera 5 on the lens of which the doublet 4 carries the elliptic image of the source 3 given by the cornea 2 of the eye 1. An electronic card 15 connected to the outlet of the matrix camera 5 supplies from a video signal, made up of a plurality of video lines and derived from the camera 5, a plurality of numerical values describing the elliptic image. A microprocessor element 19 receives and processes this plurality of numerical values so as to extract the value information from the large bending radius, the small bending radius and the angular position of the main axis of the cornea 2.

Abstract: Color-coded corneal topographic information contained in a polar plot of plurality of different traces taken over the corneal surface, such as that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. 4,863,260, is reprocessed to present the color topographic map in a "hills and valleys", Cartesian coordinate display; polar position being presented along the x-axis and elevation being presented along the y-axis. The different circular traces are separated one from the other in a perspective dispersion to emphasize the elevation data with the more apical traces being presented at one end and the more limbal trace being presented at the other end of the perspective dispersion.

Abstract: A method of fitting rigid gas permeable contact lenses comprising the steps of:providing a set of lenses of differing BCOR values, but the same optical corrective power;fitting a patient with a lens to determine an acceptable BCOR value for the patient;determining the corrective prescription for that patient; andsupplying the patient with a lens having an acceptable BCOR value and the correct prescription.The lens supplied is manufactured in the same geometry and fitting characteristics as the lens from the set used in fitting and adjusted to the correct prescription power from the fixed power by diffractive means.

Abstract: A rectilinear keratoscope for determining the curvature of the anterior corneal surface of an eye. The keratoscope includes a translucent sheet having a curved pattern in the shape of a grid of intersecting individual curved lines. The pattern forms a substantially rectilinear grid image when reflected from a curved surface having a known radius of curvature. Deviations from a spherical surface can be qualitatively and quantitatively determined from examining the nature of the reflected image pattern and by measuring the spatial frequency of grid lines lying between a reference point and an image point corresponding to a point on the surface of the cornea whose refractive power is to be measured.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus includes a first index mark provided as an index mark for measuring the shape of a cornea substantially on the optic axis, a second index mark provided around the optic axis, and a calculator for calculating the shape of the cornea based on the position information of the cornea-reflected image of the first and second index marks.

Abstract: A toroidal lens (10) or a plurality of such lenses attached to a handle (14) for use as or in a keratoscope (12). If a plurality of lenses are employed, they are arranged either in different planes parallel to each other or concentrically in a single plane with varying degrees of ellipticity.

Abstract: A computerized system which enables the contact lens fitter to select a contact lens by specifying its "base curve" and diameter and then to obtain a visual representation of how that lens would fit the cornea of a specific patient using a simulation of the traditional fluorescein dye procedure. The patient's corneal contours are electronically stored, having been ascertained, for example, using the image scanning technique disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,260. The contour of the contact lens is positioned to a predetermined point over the contour of the corneal surface and iteratively rotated about two axes to establish a minimum average clearance. At this point, the clearance is depicted by a color display analogous to that which would be obtained using the actual contact lens on the patient's cornea with the fluorescein dye.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and technique are disclosed for illuminating the cornea with points of light for analysis of the specularly reflected return light in determining the shape of the cornea. In combination with an optical illumination system which forms real images of points of light inside or in the path of the objective lens, the system of the invention includes a plurality of real light source points optically peripheral to the real image points and physically outside to the objective lens. The sources of the point light sources may be optical fibers or LEDs arranged in an array which optically extends radially outward from the objective lens, although the external points may be forward or back from the objective lens. The two types of point light sources are generally registered in a pattern and together form an ordered geometric array for providing paraxial reflections off the cornea over a wide area of the cornea, including both central and peripheral areas of the cornea.

Abstract: An optical system for measuring the human cornea includes a light source, a scanner, an optical deflecting system, a sensor and an evaluating unit. A rotating mirror is used as the scanner and a plurality of stationary plane deflecting mirrors are arranged in the path of the rotating light beam. With increasing distance of the deflecting mirrors from the eye, the deflecting mirrors direct the light beam onto points of the cornea surface which are located increasingly closely to the frontmost point of the cornea.

Abstract: A novel optical subsystem is connected to an analyzing computer. The optical subsystem projects a grid of parallel lines onto a patient's retina, and a video camera in the optical subsystem captures a first retinal image and transmits it to the computer, where the image is digitized for analysis. A second image of the same eye is also captured, with the grid of parallel lines oriented perpendicular to the grid of the first image. The computer stores image data for the patient for a plurality of visits. The computer analyzes the images by forming a skeletonized topographical map of the retinal area of interest. First, a novel one-dimensional line detection algorithm is used to process the images. The line detection algorithm dilates, erodes and restores, Fourier transforms, bandpass filters, thresholds, skeletonizes, line traverses and interpolates the data for each of the two images. The resulting information is normalized to compensate for the effects of the patient's ocular optics.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a corneal shape includes a projecting device projecting a set of point sources, which are substantially on a same circle, onto a cornea. A detecting optical system defects the positions of the point sources projected onto the cornea by the projecting device. A selecting device selects a plurality of the corneal reflection images detected by the detecting optical system, each of which consists of at least 3 points forming a part of the circle. A calculating device obtains a part of the corneal shape by presuming an ellipse containing the points of each selected group in the corneal reflection images. A displaying device displays the corneal shape based on the results obtained by the calculating device.

Abstract: An alignment system for use with a keratoscope to form an eye measurement system uses a source of a light beam which is directed towards a cornea. A reflection from that beam is supplied to first and second quadrant detectors which are connected to circuits to generate an output when the cornea is properly aligned. Upon proper alignment, the system triggers the calculation of the cornea shape by the keratoscope.

Abstract: A device having a single protractor scale for determining a therapeutic axis for toric contact lenses based on a prescription axis. The device comprising a coaxially mounted card, protractor dial and reference symbol. Alternate embodiments if the invention are set forth, depending on the specific embodiment the protractor scale may be depicted in a counter-clockwise or clockwise orientation. Additionally, methods for employing alternate embodiments of the present invention are set forth.

Abstract: The present invention describes a technique and apparatus for finding spots in an image with substantial noise making it difficult to identify without specialized noise suppression algorithms. In the context of determining corneal shape, as an example of the technique, the reflections of point light sources in or on the cornea have long played a diagnostic role. The image analysis technique described applies the tools of mathematical morphology and prior information about the shape of illumination patterns to remove noise and isolate the points of interest for further mathematical analysis. The output from the technique is a set of pairs matching the detected points in the image with the known location of the illumination.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the surface contour of optical elements having aspheric surfaces accommodates large numerical aperture optical elements. A null lens composed of only spheric surfaces is inserted into the optical path for nulling an aspheric surface under test, such as parabola or hyperbola, so that the aberration is zero as indicated by a reduced Ronchi fringe image from a Ronchi test grating located at the optical path focus. The surface contour of the aspheric surface is obtained as equivalent to the conjugate of the null lens.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for obtaining the corneal topography of an object using computer analyzed rasterstereographic images. The object may be nontransparent and diffusing, or it may be transparent and nondiffusing, such as a cornea. Rasterstereographic images of a cornea are produced by staining the cornea with a fluorescein solution which projects a light and dark line pattern onto the cornea through a grid. When obtaining the topography of a cornea, several different filters are used for producing and obtaining a grid image. An image processor uses unique software to store and analyze data extracted from the grid pattern. A video camera, an illuminator, the filters, and the grid may be mounted on a microscope. One embodiment uses a grid with vertical lines. Another embodiment uses a grid having intersecting horizontal and vertical lines for exhibiting surface details in a two-dimensional x-y plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmological instrument capable of measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye to be tested in an noncontact manner and capable of measuring the radius of curvature of the cornea of the eye, provide a single ophthalmological instrument capable of measuring both the intraocular pressure and the corneal configuration. The instrument includes a noncontact type intraocular measuring means for discharging a fluid toward the cornea of the eye and adapted to measure the intraocular pressure of the eye and means for projecting a predetermined target mark to the cornea of the eye and for receiving a reflected image of said target mark adapted to measure the radius of curvature of the cornea in accordance with the configuration of the corneal reflection image of the target mark, both means being integrally constructed.

Abstract: A mechanical device for positioning the head of a patient in electromedical apparatuses, which device comprises a chin-rest and a headrest element held by two vertical rods, in which device mechanical means for bringing the same to a position displace of about 15.degree. to the right or to the left with respect to the center of the hemispherical dome of the electromedical apparatus, means for fastening the position of the patient's head, means that allow said fastening means to be adjusted and fastened by acting on one or on the other indifferently of said rods and mechanical means for adjusting the vertical position of the chin-rest are provided.

Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus and method of using the apparatus is disclosed to measure the three-dimensional contour of a surface. A multi-point light source directs a plurality of light beams onto the surface to be measured. The light beams are reflected through a lens onto a photodetector to produce electro-optically measurable optical images. A structure is provided to determine the local radius of curvature of the surface at each desired point of incidence of individual light beams and the three-dimensional surface contour of the surface being measured. A calibration device is provided to reduce instrument errors of the apparatus. The calibration device includes a calibration surface with a known contour to be positioned in substitution of the surface being measured.

Abstract: An improved translation insensitive keratometer includes a pair of optical coupling systems for irradiating a specular object having different beam geometries. Laser beams are separately identified by a unique identifying characteristic and processed through the optical coupling systems to a plurality of moire deflectometers.

Abstract: An ophthalmic diagnostic instrument determines the shape of the cornea through projection of an image onto the cornea through the optics of the diagnostic instrument. The instrument and the method of the invention involve folding a projected pattern of discrete separated point light sources so that the pattern is projected toward the eye coaxially with return collected light reflected off the cornea. The instrument avoids any need for a pattern light source directly adjacent to the eye, and provides the surgeon or other eye care specialist with a real time image accurately displaying the shape of the cornea. The surgeon is thus able to monitor the corneal shape prior to surgery, to monitor its changes during the course of the surgery, and to further monitor the cornea in post operative stages.

Abstract: An ophthalmological instrument for the use of both corneal configuration and intraocular pressure measurement has alignment watching means for watching an alignment completion state upon receipt of an alignment completion signal which is output by alignment detecting means for detecting the alignment of an apparatus body with respect to an eye to be tested, corneal configuration measuring means for projecting a ring target mark onto the cornea of the eye and measuring a corneal configuration with reference to the ring target image, noncontact type intraocular pressure measuring means for discharging fluid toward the cornea in order to transfigure the cornea and measuring the intraocular pressure with reference to the amount of such transfiguration, and automatic executing means for executing the corneal configuration and intraocular pressure measurements in such a manner as that data of the ring target image is intaken in accordance with output of the alignment watching means in order to obtain data regarding

Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus and method of using the same is disclosed to measure the three-dimensional contour of a surface. Structure is provided to direct first light beams onto the surface being measured. Reflections of the first light beams from the surface are received for generating electrical output signals corresponding to electro-optically measurable optical images. The output signals are electrically processed to determine the radius of curvature of the surface being measured. A higher spatial resolution can be achieved without changing the spacing of the array of light points.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for obtaining the corneal topography of an object using computer analyzed rasterstereographic images. The object may be nontransparent and diffusing, or it may be transparent and nondiffusing, such as a cornea. Rasterstereographic images of a cornea are produced by staining the cornea with a fluorescein solution which projects a light and dark line pattern onto the cornea through a grid. When obtaining the topography of a cornea, several different filters are used for producing and obtaining a grid image. An image processor uses unique software to store and analyze data extracted from the grid pattern. A video camera, an illuminator, the filters, and the grid may be mounted on a microscope.

Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus and method of using the same is disclosed to measure the three-dimensional contour of a surface. Structure is provided to direct first light beams onto the surface being measured. Reflections of the first light beams from the surface are received for generating electrical output signals corresponding to electro-optically measurable optical images. Each of the images corresponds to the location of the first light beams. Structure determines the approximate location of the center of the surface being measured with respect to an optical axis extending through the contour measuring apparatus. The location determining structure comprises a component for directing a single light beam along the optical axis of the contour measuring apparatus onto the surface being measured so as to reflect to the means for generating electrical output signals.

Abstract: A cornea shape measuring apparatus which is provided with first and second substantially ring-like index marks disposed at different positions in the direction of the optic axis and projected onto the cornea of an eye to be examined and in which the corneal reflection images of the first and second index marks are detected by a first position detector and the shape of the cornea is measured without depending on the working distance.

Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus and method of using the apparatus is disclosed to measure the three-dimensional contour of a surface. A multi-point light source directs a plurality of light beams onto the surface to be measured. The light beams are reflected through a lens onto a photodetector to produce electro-optically measurable optical images. A structure is provided to determine the local radius of curvature of the surface at each desired point of incidence of individual light beams and the three-dimensional surface contour of the surface being measured. A calibration device is provided to reduce instrument errors of the apparatus. The calibration device includes a calibration surface with a known contour to be positioned in substitution of the surface being measured.

Abstract: A corneal configuration measuring apparatus is disclosed. It comprises target projecting means for projecting target beams from a plurality of targets towards a cornea of an eye to be tested, light receiving means, measuring optical system for projecting the target beams reflected on the cornea towards the light receiving means and forming target reflection images on the light receiving means, and variable power optical system for varying imaging power of the target reflection images to be formed on the light receiving means.

Abstract: A plurality of light sources are caused to impinge in predetermined directions onto an optical system to be inspected. The reflected beams from the optical system are received by two or more pairs of photoelectric converting elements and the radius of curvature of the above mentioned optical system is measured on the basis of the phase difference of the output signals between the photoelectric converting elements forming the respective pairs. The reflected beams are first converted into a slit shaped series of beams, the angle of inclination of each of which, to which to the scanning direction, is made in two or more different known angles. An output device emitting the discriminating signal of the angle of inclination of the beams is provided and the discriminating signal and phase difference inputted to an operating circuit to obtain a refractive power.

Abstract: A contact lens holder including a lens holder and a support for positioning the lens before an optical instrument for visual inspection of the lens. An annular ring having a generally C-shaped channel cross section which defines a groove is provided for accepting and holding the periphery of a soft lens. Similarly, a U-shaped resilient fork holds the periphery of a rigid lens, for central inspection thereof. A hemispherical element is provided for holding a soft lens, and a clip device is provided for holding a rigid lens, during peripheral area inspection. The holder facilitates contact lens inspection using a biomicroscope.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring curvature of an object automatically is so composed to guide two radiation beams reflected by the object to a linear image sensor, and determine the curvature of the object from the signals obtained from the linear image sensor, in response to the distance of two radiation beams on the sensor. The apparatus is further provided with an image rotator between means for generating two radiation beams and the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the topography of the cornea and sclera that permit the detailed determination of the topography of the entire visible corneal and scleral surfaces; the topographic data so obtained is readily and conveniently accessible to the opthalmic practitioner or surgeon. A fluorescent substance instilled in the tear layer of the eye, and hence the surface of an eye, is made to fluoresce in a small, selected area of the eye surface by an incident light beam defining the selected area of the eye surface. The location of the selected area can be known from the position and direction of the incident light beam. The selected area's location is measured from at least one additional orientation different from that of the incident light beam by focusing an image of the fluorescence emissions from the selected area onto the surface of a positive sensitive detector.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the in vivo ability of a contact lens to become or remain wet includes the steps of supporting the subject's head to determine a fixed orientation of the lens, illuminating the lens with coherent light, imaging the pre-lens tear film in a manner to form an interference pattern, recording in a time sequence manner the image formed thereby, and determining the tear film thickness by correlating the interference bands of the recorded image. The classical contact angle is derived, and other measures, such as the time interval from blink until the onset of the tear film breakup, or the time until the film evaporates, and the initial or average film thickness are derived. In addition, the nature and evolution of localized dry spots may be directly observed, clarifying the causes of tear film breakdown on worn contact lenses.