EXAMINATION DEVICE AND EYE EXAMINATION METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to an examination device (1), a method for an automated examination of at least one eye (4, 4′) of a person, a computer program product and the various uses of the examination device (1).

Claims

1. An examination device for examining at least one eye of a person, the examination device comprising: at least one optical sensing device configured to sense eye movements and eye positions of at least one eye of a person; at least one optical display device designed to display or project images; wherein the examination device is designed for the connection to an electronic data processing unit for storage and automated evaluation of the eye movements and eye positions in relation to the displayed images, or comprises such an electronic data processing unit; and wherein the examination device is adapted to display an image by the display device prior to sensing the eye movements and eye positions by the sensing device, or prior to displaying an image by the display device, in order to bring at least one eye into a predefined eye position.

2. The examination device according to claim 1, wherein the examination device comprises at least one input device configured to sense manual inputs of the person in relation to the displayed images, wherein the data processing unit is adapted to store and evaluate the sensed inputs in relation to the displayed images.

3. The examination device according to claim 1, wherein the examination device comprises a detection device configured to detect head movements of the person, the data processing unit being adapted to take into account the sensed head movements in the evaluation of the eye movements, the eye positions and/or the inputs.

4. The examination device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing device or a separate optical sensor is configured to sense the pupil size of the eye of the person, the data processing unit being adapted to take into account the sensed pupil size in the evaluation of the eye movements, the eye positions and/or the inputs, and/or the sensing device or a separate optical sensor is configured to sense the interpupillary distance, wherein the data processing unit is adapted to take into account the sensed interpupillary distance in the evaluation of the eye movements, the eye positions and/or the inputs.

5. The examination device according to claim 1, wherein the examination device comprises at least two spatially separated display devices, wherein the images displayed on one display device are only visible for one eye of the person and the images displayed on the other display device are only visible for the other eye of the person, and/or wherein the examination device comprises at least two spatially separated display areas, wherein a first display area is only visible for one eye of the person and a second display area is only visible for the other eye of the person.

6. The examination device according to claim 1, wherein the examination device is adapted to be arranged on the head of a person and comprises a portable visual output device comprising two separately controllable display devices.

7. A method for automated eye examination with an examination device comprising at least one optical sensing device configured to sense eye movements and eye positions of at least one eye of a person and at least one optical display device designed to display or project images, the method comprising the steps of: displaying an image by the display device and sensing an eye movement and an eye position of the eye by the sensing device, storing and evaluating the at least one sensed eye movement and eye position and the at least one displayed image by an electronic data processing unit connected to the examination device, wherein, prior to sensing the eye movement and eye position by the sensing device, an image is displayed by the display device to bring at least one eye into a predefined eye position, or prior to displaying an image by the display device, an image is displayed by the display device to bring at least one eye into a predefined eye position.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises the following steps: sensing an eye movement and an eye position of the eye by the sensing device, displaying an image in dependence on the sensed eye movement and eye position of the eye by the display device, and storing and evaluating the at least one sensed eye movement and eye position and the at least one displayed image by an electronic data processing unit connected to the examination device.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises the following steps: displaying an image by the display device, sensing an eye movement and an eye position of the eye in dependence on the displayed image by the sensing device, and storing and evaluating the at least one sensed eye movement and eye position in relation to the at least one displayed image by an electronic data processing unit connected to the examination device.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the displayed images comprise a first image component on which the eye is to focus, and a second image component, wherein the displayed images comprise the same first image component and a different second image component each, and wherein the image components are designed as light spots, which are different regarding their size, intensity, brightness and/or display duration.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises the following further steps: recording manual inputs of the person in relation to the displayed images by an input device connected to the examination device, and storing and evaluating the recorded inputs in relation to the displayed images by the data processing unit.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises the following further steps: recording head movements of the person by a detection device connected to the examination device, and taking into account the sensed head movements by the data processing unit in the evaluation of the eye movements, eye positions and/or inputs.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the examination device is arranged on the head of the person so that the examination device and the display device follow the head movements of the person.

14. The method according to claim 7, wherein the eye movements and the eye positions of both eyes of the person are sensed substantially simultaneously using one or more sensing device/s, and/or wherein images are displayed substantially simultaneously for both eyes of the person.

15. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pupil size of the eye is determined by the sensing device or by a separate optical sensor, wherein the eye movements, the eye positions, the sensed pupil size and/or the inputs are taken into account by the data processing unit in the evaluation, and/or the interpupillary distance is determined by the sensing device or by a separate optical sensor, wherein the eye movements, the eye positions, the sensed interpupillary distance and/or the inputs are taken into account by the data processing unit in the evaluation.

Description

[0128] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show a schematic graphic view of a first embodiment of the examination device according to the invention in different views, which is configured to carry out the method according to the invention;

[0129] FIG. 2 shows a schematic graphic view of a second embodiment of the examination device according to the invention, which is configured to carry out the method according to the invention;

[0130] FIG. 3 shows a schematic graphic view of a third embodiment of the examination device according to the invention, which is configured to carry out the method according to the invention;

[0131] FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic diagrams of a person's eye and the respective pupil size;

[0132] FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematic diagrams of the interpupillary distance of a person's eyes;

[0133] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a result of a test of the saccades with the examination device according to the invention;

[0134] FIGS. 7a and 7b show schematic diagrams of a result of a strabismus diagnosis with the examination device according to the invention;

[0135] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a result of a pupillography with the examination device according to the invention;

[0136] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a result of a test of the visual field with the examination device according to the invention;

[0137] and FIGS. 10a and 10b show schematic diagrams of a result of a test of the eye movements with the examination device according to the invention.

[0138] FIG. 1a shows a schematic view of the head 7 of a person wearing the examination device 1. FIGS. 1b and 1c show schematic sectional views of FIG. 1a.

[0139] According to this embodiment, the examination device 1 comprises two spatially separated display devices 2, 2′, two sensing devices 5, 5′ and a detection device 6. Optical lenses are arranged between the display devices 2, 2′ and each eye, the optical lenses being designed such that the respective eye can focus on the images displayed by the display devices 2, 2′. For clarity, the lenses are not shown in the figures.

[0140] The display devices 2, 2′ are designed as screens of a visual output device (head-mounted display) to be worn on the head 7. It is fixed to the person and is a closed system so that the examination device 1 covers the entire visual range of the person. By fixing the examination device 1 to the head 7 of the person, the examination device 1 and the display devices 2, 2′ follow the head movements. According to this embodiment, the display devices 2, 2′ are designed as screens close to the eyes, with one screen in each case being visible exclusively for one eye 4, 4′. Thus, the examination device 1 and in particular the display devices 2, 2′ cover the entire field of view 8, 8′ of the person; the person is isolated from other visual impressions of the environment by the examination device 1.

[0141] Both sensing devices 5, 5′ are configured for gaze detection or oculography. According to this embodiment, the sensing devices 5, 5′ are designed as infrared camera with associated infrared light source (LEDs). The sensing devices 5, 5′ are each located in the portion of the examination device 1 associated with an eye 4, 4′ in order to be able to precisely sense the eye movements and the eye positions of the eyes 4, 4′.

[0142] The examination device 1 further comprises a detection device 6, which is configured to detect the movement of the head 7 of the person. According to this embodiment, the detection device 6 is designed as a gyrometer; in other embodiments of the invention, the detection device 6 may be designed as acceleration sensor or camera, in particular as inside-out camera or outside-in camera. Further, the examination device 1 is connected to an input device 9, which is adapted to receive manual inputs of the person in relation to the displayed images. The input device 9 may be a pushbutton which is connected to the examination device 1 via radio or via a wired interface.

[0143] To detect the pupil size 10 and the interpupillary distance 12 of the eyes 4, 4′, the detection device 6 described above is used, which is arranged inside the examination device 1.

[0144] Both the sensing devices 5, 5′ as well as the optical sensors for sensing the pupil size 10 and the interpupillary distance 12 and the detection device 6 are arranged inside or on the examination device 1 in such a way that the fields of view 8, 8′ associated with the two eyes 4, 4′ of the person are not disturbed. The examination device 1 is configured to transmit the received data, in particular the eye movement, the eye position, the pupil size 10, the interpupillary distance 12, and/or manual inputs of the person to an electronic data processing unit 3. The electronic data processing unit 3 is a conventional computer; the transmission is done via a wireless or wired interface, such as WLAN or USB.

[0145] FIG. 2 shows a schematic graphic view of a second embodiment of the examination device 1 according to the invention. The features of the embodiment according to FIG. 2 may preferably correspond to the features of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1a, 1b and/or 1c. According to this embodiment, two display devices 2, 2′ are provided, the display devices 2, 2′ being designed as projectors. The display devices 2, 2′ are arranged on the examination device 1 and/or are designed such that the images displayed by one display device 2, 2′ are only visible for one eye 4, 4′ of the person and the images displayed by the other display device 2, 2′ are only visible for the other eye 4, 4′ of the person.

[0146] FIG. 3 shows a schematic graphic view of a third embodiment of the examination device 1 according to the invention. The features of the embodiment according to FIG. 3 may preferably correspond to the features of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and/or 2. According to this embodiment, two display devices 2, 2′ are provided, the display devices 2, 2′ being designed as lasers. The lasers project the image into the eye 4, 4′ via at least one mirror surface each, the mirror surface being arranged in front of the eye 4, 4′ of the person. The mirror surfaces are designed such that they do not disturb the person's field of vision.

[0147] The display devices 2, 2′ are arranged on the examination device 1 and/or are designed such that the images displayed by one display device 2 are only visible for one eye 4 of the person and the images displayed by the other display device 2′ are only visible for the other eye 4′ of the person.

[0148] FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic diagrams of a person's eye 4, 4′ and the respective pupil size 10. In FIG. 4a, the pupil size 10 is small in comparison to FIG. 4b. The pupil size 10 may be determined via the sensing device 5, 5′ or using a separate optical sensor.

[0149] FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematic diagrams of the interpupillary distance 12 of a person's eyes 4, 4′. In FIG. 5a, the eyes 4, 4′ of the person are focussed on an object that subjectively appears farther away compared to FIG. 5b.

[0150] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a result of a test of the saccades with the examination device 1 according to the invention. Saccades, also called “scanning jump in the course of gaze”, are rapid eye movements to a defined gaze target. In FIG. 6, the deflection of the eyes 4, 4′ is shown in degrees in the vertical direction over time in seconds. In other words, a positive angle indication means that the viewing direction of the eye 4, 4′ is directed to the right, and a negative angle indication means that the viewing direction of the eye 4, 4′ is directed to the left. The course of movement of the right eye 4, 4′ is shown in dashed lines and the course of movement of the left eye 4, 4′ is shown in dashed dots. The course of the light spot is shown as a solid line. It can be seen from the figures that the eyes 4, 4′ substantially follow the course of the light spot. To examine the saccades, the examination device 1 according to the invention can be used as follows: First, during a first measurement, a first light spot is displayed on the display device 2, 2′, in particular exclusively, the respective eye position of the eye 4, 4′ being sensed by the sensing device 5, 5′ when the eye 4, 4′ is focused on the first light spot.

[0151] It may be provided that the first light spot is displayed for a certain duration. In a subsequent further measurement, another light spot is displayed on the display device 2, 2′, in particular exclusively, which is arranged somewhere else compared to the first light spot, the respective eye position of the eye 4, 4′ being sensed with the sensing device 5, 5′ when the eye 4, 4′ is focused on the other light spot. It may be provided that the second light spot is displayed for a certain duration.

[0152] Optionally, the head movement, the pupil size 10, the interpupillary distance 12, and/or an eye movement may be sensed during and/or between the first and further measurements. The sensed eye positions, head movements, pupil sizes 10, interpupillary distance 12 and/or eye movements can be stored and/or evaluated by the data processing unit 3.

[0153] FIGS. 7a and 7b show schematic diagrams of a result of a strabismus diagnosis with the examination device 1 according to the invention. In both figures, the deflection of the left eye 4, 4′ in the horizontal direction is shown versus the deflection of the left eye 4, 4′ in the vertical direction. FIG. 7a shows the results of the examination for the left eye 4, 4′ with stimulation and FIG. 7b shows the results of the examination for the left eye 4, 4′ without stimulation. This means that the left eye 4, 4′ is entrained in a dissociated manner in this case.

[0154] According to this embodiment, without stimulation means that during the examination, images are displayed only to the right eye 4, 4′ via the display device 2, 2′ and the left eye is thus entrained in a dissociated manner.

[0155] In this case, with stimulation means that images are displayed to both the right eye 4, 4′ and the left eye 4, 4′ via the display device 2, 2′ during the examination. The present examination results are from the eye 4, 4′ to which an image was displayed. From the figures, it can be seen that the position of the eye with stimulation is different from the position of the eye without stimulation.

[0156] To examine the deviation with stimulation of both eyes 4, 4′, the examination device 1 according to the invention can be used as follows: First, a first image is displayed to both eyes 4, 4′ of the person by the display device 2, 2′, the image being designed in such a way that it appears to the person as one image. Here, the eye movements and in particular the eye positions of both eyes 4, 4′ are sensed by the sensing devices 5, 5′.

[0157] To examine the deviation with stimulation of only one eye 4, 4′, the examination device 1 according to the invention is used as follows: First, a first image is displayed to only one eye 4, 4′, in the present case only the right eye 4′, of the person by the display device 2, 2′. Here, the eye movements and in particular the eye positions of both eyes 4, 4′, in the present case only those of the left eye 4, are sensed by the sensing devices 5, 5′.

[0158] In both cases, the eye movements, the head movements, the interpupillary distance 12 and/or the pupil sizes 10 may be detected during the measurement, and the difference of the sensed eye positions may be calculated and/or output by the data processing unit 3. In the calculation, in both cases, the eye movements, the head movements, the interpupillary distance 12 and/or the pupil sizes 10 of the eyes 4, 4′ may be taken into account.

[0159] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a result of a pupillography with the examination device 1 according to the invention. In this figure, the first graph shows the variation of the pupil size 10 of the left 4 and the right eye 4′ over time. Pupillography is used to determine the function of the pupillary reflex, in particular the constriction during exposure to light, magnification in the dark and/or the aperture adjustment. The pupil size 10 of the right eye 4′ is shown as a dashed line and the pupil size 10 of the left eye 4 is shown as a solid line. In the graph below, the lumen value of the image is plotted versus time. The value 0 represents a low lumen value of the image, especially a black image.

[0160] The value 1 represents a high lumen value of the image in comparison, in particular for a white image. It can be seen from the figures that the pupil size 10 changes with respect to the lumen value of the displayed image.

[0161] To examine the pupillography of a person, the examination device 1 according to the invention can be used as follows: First, a first image is displayed to both eyes 4, 4′ of the person, the first image optionally being black or white, wherein a first pupil size 10 and/or a first interpupillary distance 12 of the eyes 4, 4′ are sensed with the sensing devices 5, 5′. It may be provided that the first image is displayed for a certain duration.

[0162] Subsequently, a further image is displayed to both eyes 4, 4′ of the person, the image being designed in such a way that it appears brighter or darker to the person than the first image, wherein a second pupil size 10 and/or a second interpupillary distance 12 of the eyes 4, 4′ are sensed with the sensing devices 5, 5′. It may be provided that the first image is displayed for a certain duration. During the measurement, the eye movements, the eye position, the interpupillary distance 12 and/or the head movements may optionally be detected. Furthermore, the difference of the sensed pupil sizes 10 and/or the sensed interpupillary distances 12 may be calculated by the data processing unit 3. Furthermore, the data processing unit 3 may optionally take into account the eye movements, the eye position, the interpupillary distance 12 and/or the head movements of the eyes 4, 4′ in this calculation.

[0163] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a result of a test of the visual field with the examination device 1 according to the invention. In this figure, the position of the stimulated retinal locus in the horizontal direction of the eye 4, 4′ is shown versus the position of the stimulated retinal locus in the vertical direction of the eye 4, 4′. The blind spot of the right eye 4′ is shown as triangle. Depending on the threshold value, the measuring points are displayed differently. Black points represent a high threshold value, i.e., these points had to be displayed brighter, in particular very bright and/or big, for the person to see them. White points represent a low threshold value.

[0164] It can be seen from the figures that the examined right eye 4′ of the person has a more significant sensitivity drop in one area of the visual field than in other areas of the visual field.

[0165] To examine the visual field of a person, the examination device 1 according to the invention can be used as follows: In a first measurement by the sensing device 5, 5′, a first eye position of the eye 4, 4′ is sensed, wherein a first light spot is displayed on the display device 2, 2′ in dependence on the sensed first eye position. In a further measurement, a second eye position of the eye 4, 4′ is sensed by the sensing device 5, 5′, wherein a different light spot is displayed on the display device 2, 2′ in dependence on the sensed second eye position. Furthermore, the manual inputs of the person are sensed with the input device 9 in relation to the displayed light spots.

[0166] During and/or between the first and the further measurements, the head movement, the eye movement, the interpupillary distance 12 and/or the pupil size 10 may optionally be detected. The manual inputs of the person in relation to the displayed light spots may be stored and/or evaluated by the data processing unit 3 taking into account the eye movement, the eye position, the interpupillary distance 12, the head movement and/or the pupil size 10.

[0167] FIGS. 10a and 10b show schematic diagrams of a result of a test of eye movement along eye muscle-specific axes with the examination device 1 according to the invention. In FIG. 10a, the deflection of the left eye 4, 4′ with stimulation in the horizontal direction is shown versus the deflection of the left eye 4, 4′ in the vertical direction. In FIG. 10b, the deflection of the left eye 4, 4′ without stimulation in the horizontal direction is shown versus the deflection of the left eye 4, 4′ in the vertical direction. Here, the left eye 4 is only entrained in a dissociated manner. Furthermore, the eye muscle axes are drawn as solid lines in FIGS. 10a and 10b. From these figures, the maximum deflections on the eye muscle-specific axes can be read.

[0168] From the figures, the maximum eye positions of the person's eyes 4, 4′ in the measured directions are shown. To examine the eye movement, in particular the eye mobility along eye muscle-specific axes, of a person, the examination device 1 according to the invention can be used as follows:

[0169] In a first measurement, a first light spot is displayed on the display device 2, 2′, in particular exclusively, wherein the eye position of the eye 4, 4′ is sensed by the sensing device 5, 5′ when the eye 4, 4′ focuses on the first light spot. Subsequently, in a further measurement, another light spot is displayed on the display device 2, 2′, in particular exclusively, which is closer to an edge of the respective display device 2, 2′ compared to the first light spot, wherein the eye position of the eye 4, 4′ is sensed with the sensing device 5, 5′ when the eye 4, 4′ focuses on the other light spot. These measurements are repeated until the, in particular maximum, eye movement could be determined with respect to the respective deflection direction.

[0170] Optionally, the head movement, the pupil size 10, the interpupillary distance 12 and/or the eye movement may be detected during and/or between the first and the further measurements. The sensed eye positions, head movements, pupil sizes 10, interpupillary distances 12 and/or eye movements may be stored and/or evaluated by the data processing unit 3.

[0171] Optionally, if substantially no difference is detected between the sensed eye positions, a maximum eye movement may be output and/or stored by the data processing unit 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0172] 1 examination device

[0173] 2, 2′ display device

[0174] 3 data processing unit

[0175] 4, 4′ eye

[0176] 5, 5′ sensing device

[0177] 6 detection device

[0178] 7 head

[0179] 8, 8′ field of vision

[0180] 9 input device

[0181] 10 pupil size

[0182] 11 pupil

[0183] 12 interpupillary distance