US 6,050,687 A · Method and apparatus for measurement of the refractive properties of the human eye

Abstract

A system, and its method, for measuring the optical properties of an eye employs optical components for detecting both the reflection of a first light beam from the anterior surface of the eye, and the reflection of a second light beam from the retina of the eye. Sensors are included to receive and separate each of these reflected light beams into a plurality of individual beams, each having its own specific optical path length. The optical path lengths of individual beams reflected from the cornea are collectively used to create a topographical map of the cornea's anterior surface and the optical path lengths of individual beams reflected from the retina are collectively used to create an acuity map of the entire eye. Further, there are additional optical components which respectively determine the position of the eye, a length for the eye and an aberration for the relaxed lens of the eye. A computer is then used to compare the topographical map with the acuity map, while compensating for the lens aberration, to construct a topography for the posterior surface of the cornea.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for measuring optical properties of an eye, the eye having, in order, a cornea, a lens and a retina, said system comprising:

an optical means for directing a first light beam for reflection from the cornea of the eye as a reflected first light beam;
a lenslet array for separating said reflected first light beam into a plurality of first individual beams with each said first individual beam having an optical path length;
an optical means for aiming a second light beam through the cornea, and through the lens, for reflection from the retina of the eye as a reflected second light beam;
a lenslet array for separating said reflected second light beam into a plurality of second individual beams with each said second individual beam having an optical path length;
a computer means for using said plurality of first individual beams to create a topographical map of the cornea indicative of the optical path lengths of said first individual beams, and for using said plurality of second individual beams to create an acuity map of the eye indicative of the optical path lengths of said second individual beams;
and
a comparator means operable with said computer means for comparing said topographical map of the cornea with said acuity map of the eye to determine selected optical properties of the eye.

4 more elements

A system for measuring optical properties of the eye, the eye including a cornea having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, a lens and a retina, said system comprising:

means for creating a topographical map of the anterior surface of the eye, said topographical map including a plurality of individual refractive measurements;
means for generating an acuity map for the entire eye, said acuity map comprising a plurality of individual refractive measurements;
means for determining an aberration for a relaxed lens;
and
computer means for comparing said topographical map with said acuity map while compensating for the aberration of the lens to construct a topography for the posterior surface of the eye.

2 more elements

A method for measuring optical properties of the eye, the eye including a cornea having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, a lens and a retina, said method comprising the steps of:

creating a topographical map of the anterior surface of the eye, said topographical map including a plurality of individual refractive measurements;
generating an acuity map for the entire eye, said acuity map comprising a plurality of individual refractive measurements;
determining an aberration for a relaxed lens;
and
comparing said topographical map with said acuity map while compensating for the aberration of the lens to construct a topography for the posterior surface of the eye.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for measurement of the refractive properties of the human eye

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for measurement of the refractive properties of the human eye

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20