Patent · US Expired

Objective refractor for the eye

US4669835A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
2References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 22, 1984
Grant dateJun 2, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B3/103
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An objective refractor for the eye is disclosed in which knife-edge optics are utilized. The knife-edge optics cause characteristic illumination of the retina so that components of sphere and astigmatism can be identified. Provision for remote reading of the characteristic images is provided with the result that two orthogonally disposed knife-edge images can identify the sphere, cylinder and axis required for prescriptive patterns giving the direction and magnitude of required prescriptive change. A system of at least two orthogonally disposed, (and preferably four), knife edges with weighted lighting is disclosed for detection. Utilization of the knife-edge images is made possible by the detection of the low light level images at a detector having low noise level. A photo-sensitive element divided into a plurality of photo-discrete segments has light from the images proportionally dispersed over its surface. Such dispersion occurs through a matrix of wedge-shaped segments or alternately in the form of optical elements having cylindrical components. This dispersion of the light when used in combination with push-pull knife-edge patterns herein disclosed produces detectable low lev…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.