Method for the inspection of an ophthalmic lens for semi-opaque defects

A method for inspecting an intraocular lens for an unacceptable semi-opaque defect in a lens body thereof, the method comprising:

• illuminating, with laser light generated by a laser diode positioned on one side of the intraocular lens, the lens body of the intraocular lens in an area bounded by an edge of the lens body,
• wherein the laser light is directed to the one side of the intraocular lens;
• detecting, by a camera positioned on the one side of the intraocular lens, an intensity of laser light scattered by the illuminated lens body in a predetermined detection direction towards the camera,
• wherein the laser light is collected from the one side of the intraocular lens and the predetermined detection direction is different from a direction of reflection of the illuminating laser light;
• comparing the detected intensity of the scattered laser light with a predetermined threshold intensity;
• determining a size of at least one coherent area in which the detected intensity of the scattered laser light is higher than the predetermined threshold intensity;
• and
• determining whether the size of the at least one coherent area is larger than a predetermined threshold size, wherein a semi-opaque defect in the lens body is detected if the size of the at least one coherent area is larger than the predetermined threshold size.