Ophthalmic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an ophthalmic device, comprising a frame, a moving part, a protruding part for inspection, a face-capturing part, and a control part. The moving part moves the relative position of the frame with respect to the face of a subject. The protruding part for inspection protrudes from the subject-opposing surface of the frame toward the subject along the inspection axis. The face-capturing part is arranged at a position offset from either the left or right side of the inspection axis in the subject-opposing surface. At least a part of the protruding part for inspection is included in the imaging range of the face-capturing part. The ophthalmic device inspects the eye located in the opposite direction of the offset direction of the face-capturing part relative to the inspection axis in the left eye and the right eye before the other eye.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus for performing an examination of an eye to be examined. Background Art

[0002] Various ophthalmic devices are used to examine the eye to be examined, such as an intraocular pressure measuring device, an eye refractive power measuring device, a corneal curvature measuring device, a fundus camera, an OCT device, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), and the like.

[0003] As an example of an ophthalmic device, a device is known in the public that captures the face of a subject by a facial camera and performs alignment of an inspection unit with respect to the subject's eye (examined eye) based on the captured image. For example, in the ophthalmic device described in Patent Document 1, the photographing optical axis of the facial camera is arranged at a position offset to the left or right of the inspection axis of the inspection unit. The ophthalmic device moves the relative position between the inspection unit and the examined eye based on the image captured by the facial camera, thereby aligning the inspection axis of the inspection unit with the examined eye.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-196305

[0005] When aligning the inspection axis with the inspected eye based on the captured image, the longer the moving distance from the position where the facial imaging unit captures the image to the position where the inspection axis is aligned with the first inspected eye that is first inspected (hereinafter referred to as the "moving distance"), the higher the possibility that the position of the inspected eye changes during the movement and the alignment cannot be performed properly. In addition, the longer the moving distance, the more difficult it is to shorten the inspection time.

[0006] It is also possible to shorten the moving distance by setting the amount of offset of the face camera relative to the inspection axis in the left-right direction based on the average value D of the interpupillary distance of the group of subjects to be inspected. As an example, assume that the first inspected eye is photographed in a state where the face camera is located at a position extending straight forward from the center of the left and right eyes of the subject. In this case, if the amount of offset of the face camera relative to the inspection axis in the left-right direction is set to half of the average value D of the interpupillary distance, the moving distance for aligning the inspection axis with the first inspected eye is shortened in many cases.

[0007] However, the position of the face camera in the ophthalmic device is sometimes limited due to various factors. For example, some ophthalmic devices need to have a protrusion for inspection that protrudes from the frame toward the subject's side (for example, a nozzle for spraying compressed air to the eye to be inspected). In this case, the closer the position of the face camera is to the inspection axis passing through the protrusion, the greater the proportion of the protrusion that is reflected in the shooting range of the face camera. If the proportion of the protrusion reflected in the shooting range is too large, it is difficult to detect the position of the eye to be inspected based on the captured image. On the other hand, if the face camera is configured at a position where the protrusion is not reflected in the shooting range, it is difficult to shorten the above-mentioned moving distance. Summary of the invention

[0008] A typical object of the present disclosure is to provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of appropriately aligning an inspection axis with an inspected eye based on a captured image of the inspected subject even when a protruding portion for inspection protrudes toward the inspected subject.

[0009] The ophthalmic device provided in a typical embodiment of the present disclosure examines an eye of an examinee in a state where an inspection axis is aligned with the eye of the examinee, and comprises: a frame; a moving part that moves the relative position of the frame with respect to the face of the examinee; an inspection protrusion that protrudes from the examinee-opposing surface of the frame along the inspection axis toward the examinee; a face-capturing part that is arranged in the examinee-opposing surface of the frame at a position offset to the left or right of the inspection axis of the inspection protrusion; and a control part that includes at least a portion of the inspection protrusion in the imaging range of the face-capturing part, and controls the left and right eyes of the examinee to be inspected when the direction in which the face-capturing part is offset with respect to the inspection axis in the left-right direction of the frame is set as a first direction and the direction opposite to the first direction is set as a second direction. The eye to the side is set as the first inspection eye to be inspected before the other eye, and the control unit executes the following steps: a face shooting step, in which the relative position of the frame is moved to an initial position between the left eye and the right eye of the subject in the left-right direction of the face shooting unit, and a shooting range including at least the first inspection eye is shot by the face shooting unit; a first moving step, in which the relative position of the frame located at the initial position is moved to a first position where the inspection axis is consistent with the first inspection eye by controlling the driving of the moving unit based on the image captured in the face shooting step; and a second moving step, in which, after the inspection of the first inspection eye is completed, the relative position of the frame located at the first position is moved to a second position where the inspection axis is close to the second inspection eye on the opposite side of the first inspection eye.

[0010] According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present disclosure, even when the protruding portion for examination protrudes toward the subject, the examination axis can be appropriately aligned with the subject's eye based on a captured image of the subject.

[0011] The ophthalmic device exemplified in the present disclosure examines the eye in a state where the examination axis is aligned with the eye of the subject. The ophthalmic device includes a frame, a moving part, an inspection protrusion, a face-capturing part, and a control part. The moving part moves the relative position of the frame with respect to the face of the subject. The inspection protrusion protrudes from the subject-facing surface of the frame toward the subject along the examination axis. The face-capturing part is arranged at a position offset to either the left or right of the inspection axis of the inspection protrusion in the subject-facing surface of the frame.

[0012] At least a part of the inspection protrusion is included in the shooting range of the face shooting unit. The direction in which the face shooting unit is offset relative to the inspection axis in the left-right direction of the frame is set as a first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is set as a second direction. The eye of the subject's left eye and right eye located on the second direction side as viewed from the frame is set as a first inspection eye to be inspected before the other eye. The eye of the subject's left eye and right eye on the opposite side to the first inspection eye is set as a second inspection eye.

[0013] The control unit executes a face shooting step, a first moving step, and a second automatic step. In the face shooting step, the control unit moves the relative position of the frame relative to the face of the subject to an initial position, and shoots a shooting range including at least the first inspection eye through the face shooting unit. At the initial position, the position of the face shooting unit in the left-right direction is located between the left eye and the right eye of the subject. In the first moving step, the control unit controls the driving of the moving unit based on the image captured in the face shooting step, so that the relative position of the frame located at the initial position moves to a first position where the inspection axis coincides with the first inspection eye. In the second moving step, after the first inspection eye is completed, the control unit moves the relative position of the frame located at the first position to a second position where the inspection axis is close to the second inspection eye.

[0014] The facial camera is used to detect the position of the eye of the subject. Therefore, it is considered that the position of the facial camera relative to the inspection protrusion (inspection axis) is usually set so that the inspection protrusion is not included in the shooting range of the facial camera. In response to this, the ophthalmic device exemplified in the present disclosure sets the position of the facial camera in such a way that at least a part of the inspection protrusion is intentionally included in the shooting range of the facial camera. Therefore, compared with the case where the position of the facial camera is set in such a way that the inspection protrusion is removed from the shooting range of the facial camera, the facial camera is set at a position closer to the inspection axis (the effect will be described later). In addition, when the frame is in the initial position, the positional relationship between the inspection axis and the facial camera is set so that at least the first inspection eye is included in the shooting range of the facial camera (that is, the first inspection eye is not blocked by the inspection protrusion). Therefore, by moving the frame to the initial position, the ophthalmic device can appropriately capture an image including the first inspection eye of the subject using the facial camera set at a position as close to the inspection axis as possible.

[0015] After the facial camera performs photographing, the control unit moves the relative position of the frame at the initial position to the first position so that the inspection axis is consistent with the first inspection eye. When the relative position of the frame is at the initial position, the first inspection eye and the inspection axis are both located in the second direction (left or right) as viewed from the facial camera. In addition, as described above, although the position of the facial camera is away from the inspection axis to the extent that the first inspection eye is not blocked by the inspection protrusion, it approaches the inspection axis until a portion of the inspection protrusion is included in the photographing range. Therefore, it is easy to shorten the moving distance from the initial position to the first position. Thereafter, when the inspection of the first inspection eye is completed, the relative position of the frame moves from the first position to the second position, and the inspection axis approaches the second inspected eye. Therefore, even in the case where the inspection protrusion protrudes toward the subject side, the inspection axis can be appropriately aligned with the inspected eye based on the captured image of the subject.

[0016] In addition, the moving unit may move the relative position of the frame with respect to the face of the subject by moving the frame having the inspection protrusion and the face imaging unit. In addition, the moving unit may move the relative position by moving the face of the subject (for example, a face support unit that supports the face of the subject). In addition, the moving unit may move the relative position by moving both the frame and the face of the subject.

[0017] In addition, the face imaging unit may be a single camera or may include multiple cameras. When multiple cameras are used, the imaging areas of the individual cameras may be overlapped, and the inspected eye (at least the first inspected eye) may be included in the overlapping area, thereby being able to detect the position of the inspected eye in a two-dimensional direction (XY direction) intersecting the imaging optical axis, and in a direction (Z direction) along the imaging optical axis.

[0018] Alternatively, the control unit may capture a capture range that includes both the first and second eyes (i.e., the left and right eyes) of the subject through the face capture unit in the face capture step. Alternatively, the control unit may move the relative position of the frame to the second position based on the position of the second eye detected from the image captured in the face capture step in the second moving step. In this case, the ophthalmologic apparatus can more accurately align the inspection axis with the left and right eyes, respectively, compared to a case where the position of the first eye is detected only from the image.

[0019] However, the second eye to be examined may not be included in the shooting range of the face shooting step. In addition, regardless of whether the second eye to be examined is included in the shooting range, the relative position may be moved in the second moving step without using the detection result of the position of the second eye to be examined. For example, in the second moving step, the relative position of the frame may be moved in the left-right direction based on the average value D of the interpupillary distance of the group of subjects to be examined. In this case, by applying the above-mentioned technology, the moving distance of the relative position from the initial position to the first position can be appropriately reduced.

[0020] In addition, the direction in which the inspection axis extends can be appropriately selected. For example, the ophthalmic device can be arranged in front of the eyes of the subject while the subject is sitting on a chair. In this case, the inspection axis can also extend in the horizontal direction. In addition, the ophthalmic device can be arranged above the face of the subject while the subject is lying on his back. In this case, the inspection axis can also extend in the up-down direction.

[0021] It is also possible that, when the average value of the interpupillary distance of the group of subjects to be examined is set to D, the distance in the left-right direction between the inspection axis and the center of the objective lens of the face camera is greater than D / 2. As an example, it is assumed that a subject whose interpupillary distance is the average value D is examined. In this case, if the distance in the left-right direction between the inspection axis and the face camera is set to D / 2, and the position in the left-right direction of the face camera is taken as the center between the left eye and the right eye of the subject for shooting, the left-right moving distance from the initial position to the first position is 0. However, if the distance in the left-right direction between the inspection axis and the face camera is set to D / 2, the proportion of the inspection protrusion reflected in the shooting range of the face camera becomes larger, and the left eye or the right eye is easily blocked. Therefore, by making the distance in the left-right direction between the inspection axis and the face camera greater than D / 2, it is possible to suppress the left eye or the right eye from being blocked by the inspection protrusion. In this state, by including the above-mentioned structure in the ophthalmic device, it is possible to appropriately achieve the position detection of the subject's eye and the shortening of the moving distance from the initial position to the first position at the same time.

[0022] In addition, in the ophthalmic device disclosed in the present invention, various structures are configured on the basis of setting the average value D of the pupil distance to 67 mm. However, the average value D of the pupil distance can be appropriately set according to the subject group of the inspection object. For example, there is also data that sets the average value of the pupil distance of Japanese adult males to about 64 mm. Based on this data, the average value D of the pupil distance can also be set to 64 mm. In addition, the average value D of the pupil distance can also be appropriately set according to the race, nationality, age, gender, etc. of the subject group as the inspection object.

[0023] Alternatively, the initial position of the frame is a position where the position of the face-capturing unit in the left-right direction is offset to the first direction side relative to the center of the left and right eyes of the subject. For example, when the face-capturing unit is used to simultaneously detect the left and right eyes of the subject, it is considered that the position of the face-capturing unit in the left-right direction is usually arranged at the center of the left and right eyes of the subject for shooting. However, by deliberately offsetting the position of the face-capturing unit at the initial position from the center of the left and right eyes to the first direction side, it is easy to further shorten the moving distance from the initial position to the first position.

[0024] However, the initial position of the frame may be changed. For example, the initial position of the frame is a position where the left-right position of the face imaging unit coincides with the center of the left and right eyes of the subject.

[0025] Alternatively, the initial position of the frame may be further away from the face of the subject in the direction along the inspection axis than the position of the frame when the eye inspection is performed using the inspection protrusion (hereinafter referred to as the "inspection position"). In this case, the photographing range of the face of the subject by the face camera becomes wider than when the initial position of the frame and the inspection position in the direction along the inspection axis are the same. Furthermore, when photographing by the face camera, the possibility of the inspection protrusion and the like contacting the subject is also reduced. Therefore, the position of the eye of the subject can be detected more appropriately.

[0026] Alternatively, the control unit further performs a first approaching step, a first separation step, and a second approaching step. In the first approaching step, the control unit brings the frame closer to the first inspection eye after performing the first moving step and before inspecting the first inspected eye. In the first separation step, the control unit moves the frame away from the first inspection eye after the inspection of the first inspection eye by the inspection protrusion is completed and before performing the second moving step. In the second approaching step, the control unit brings the frame closer to the second inspection eye after performing the second moving step. In this case, the photographing of the left eye and the right eye by the facial camera unit, the inspection of the first inspection eye and the second inspection eye, and the movement of the inspection axis from the first inspection eye to the second inspection eye are smoothly performed through a series of actions.

[0027] Alternatively, the face camera unit may be arranged at a position offset toward the upper side of the subject's head relative to the inspection axis of the inspection protrusion in the subject-facing surface of the frame. In this case, even when the height of the inspection axis is made close to the height of the subject's eyes in order to reduce the relative movement of the frame in the up-down direction relative to the subject, the left and right eyes of the subject can be properly photographed from the oblique upper side of the inspection protrusion. That is, when photographing is performed by the face camera unit, the left and right eyes of the face are less likely to be blocked by the inspection protrusion than when the inspection protrusion, the face camera unit, the left eye, and the right eye are all located at the same height. Therefore, the ophthalmic device can both suppress the movement of the frame in the left-right direction and properly detect the positions of the left and right eyes.

[0028] A straight line passing through the center of the objective lens of the face shooting unit, connecting with the inspection protrusion and intersecting with the inspection axis is set as a tangent line T. A straight line passing through the center of the objective lens and extending parallel to the inspection axis is set as a straight line SO. The angle formed by the tangent line T and the straight line SO can also be more than 40 degrees. In this case, it is possible to suppress the proportion of the inspection protrusion reflected in the shooting range of the face shooting unit from being too large. Therefore, the left eye and the right eye can be appropriately photographed at the same time by the face shooting unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a left side view showing a schematic structure of the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 .

[0030] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 .

[0031] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the frame body 3 with respect to the face of the subject when the frame body 3 is located at the initial position.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the frame body 3 with respect to the face of the subject when the frame body 3 is located at the first position.

[0033] Figure 5 It means in Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by the face imaging unit 20 in the state shown.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the fully automatic inspection process executed by the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 .

[0035] Figure 7 It is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the frame 3 with respect to the face of the subject when the frame 3 is located at the examination position of the first eye to be examined.

[0036] Figure 8 It is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the frame body 3 with respect to the face of the subject when the frame body 3 is located at the second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] (Schematic Structure)

[0038] Hereinafter, a typical embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An ophthalmic device 1 inspects an inspected eye E in a state where the inspection axis IO is aligned with the inspected eye (inspected eye) E. The ophthalmic device 1 illustrated in the present embodiment includes an inspection protrusion (a nozzle in the present embodiment) 10 that protrudes toward the inspected side along the inspection axis IO, and by blowing a fluid from the inspection protrusion 10 toward the cornea of ​​the inspected eye E, the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E is measured according to the deformed shape of the cornea. That is, the ophthalmic device 1 illustrated in the present embodiment is a non-contact intraocular pressure measuring device. However, the ophthalmic device to which the technology illustrated in the present disclosure can be applied is not limited to the intraocular pressure measuring device. That is, various ophthalmic devices having an inspection protrusion (for example, an ophthalmic photographing device having an attachment for expanding the viewing angle as an inspection protrusion, and an ophthalmic device having an inspection protrusion that emits light for inspection, etc.) can apply at least a part of the technology illustrated in the present disclosure. Examples of ophthalmic devices to which the technology exemplified in the present disclosure can be applied include ocular refractive power measuring devices, corneal curvature measuring devices, fundus cameras, OCT devices, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes (SLO), etc. The term "examination" in the present disclosure includes both measurement and photography of the eye E to be examined.

[0039] Reference Figure 1The schematic structure of the ophthalmic device 1 is described. Figure 1 The left-right direction of the paper is set as the Z direction (front-back direction), the up-down direction of the paper is set as the Y direction (up-down direction), and the depth direction of the paper is set as the X direction (left-right direction). Figure 1 The left side of the paper (the subject side) is set as the front side of the ophthalmic device 1, and the right side of the paper is set as the rear side of the ophthalmic device 1. Figure 1 The upper side of the paper in FIG. 1 is set as the upper side of the ophthalmic device 1, and the lower side of the paper is set as the lower side of the ophthalmic device 1. Figure 1 The front side of the paper in FIG. 1 is set as the left side of the ophthalmic device 1 , and the back side of the paper is set as the right side of the ophthalmic device 1 .

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the ophthalmic device 1 of the present embodiment includes a base 2, a frame 3, a movable portion 4, and a face support portion 5. The base 2 is placed at a setting location, and supports the entire ophthalmic device 1. The frame 3 includes various structures for performing an examination of the eye E to be examined (details will be described later). The frame 3 is supported on the base 2 via the movable portion 4. The face support portion 5 supports and positions the face of the examinee. In the present embodiment, a jaw rest and a forehead pad are used as the face support portion 5. The examinee places the lower jaw on the jaw rest and the forehead on the forehead pad, thereby positioning the face. The movable portion 4 adjusts the relative position of the frame 3 to the examinee's face positioned by the face support portion 5.

[0041] As an example, the moving unit 4 of the present embodiment moves the frame 3 in the front-to-back direction, the up-down direction, and the left-to-right direction (three-dimensional direction) relative to the base 2 based on an actuator such as a motor, thereby moving the relative position of the frame 3 relative to the face of the subject. However, the structure of the moving unit may be changed. For example, the moving unit may also move the relative position of the frame 3 relative to the face of the subject by moving the face support unit 5. In addition, the moving unit may move the frame 3 and the face support unit 5 together. For example, the moving unit may also move the frame 3 in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and move the face support unit 5 in the up-down direction, thereby moving the relative position of the frame 3 relative to the face of the subject.

[0042] The frame 3 includes an inspection protrusion 10, a face imaging unit 20, a display unit 7, and an operating unit 8. The inspection protrusion 10 protrudes toward the subject side along the inspection axis 10 from a surface of the frame 3 on the side where the subject's face is positioned (the front side in the present embodiment), that is, the subject-opposing surface 3A. The inspection axis 10 coincides with the subject's eye E when performing the inspection. As an example, the inspection protrusion 10 of the present embodiment is a nozzle that blows a fluid (e.g., compressed air) toward the cornea of ​​the subject's eye E. However, the specific structure of the inspection protrusion can be appropriately selected according to the type of inspection performed by the ophthalmic device. For example, an accessory that can be detachably mounted on the frame 3 in order to switch the shooting angle of view, a protrusion that emits light or ultrasonic waves for inspection from the front end to the subject's eye E, etc. can also be used as the inspection protrusion.

[0043] The face imaging unit 20 is disposed in a position offset to the left or right of the inspection axis 10 of the inspection protrusion 10 on the subject facing surface 3A of the frame 3 (details will be described later). Figure 1 As shown, the face imaging unit 20 of this embodiment is arranged in a position offset to the upper side (in this embodiment, upward) of the head of the subject from the inspection axis 10 of the inspection protrusion 10 in the subject facing surface 3A of the frame 3. This effect will be described later.

[0044] The display unit 7 displays various images. In the present embodiment, the display unit 7 is arranged on the rear side of the frame 3 facing the inspector. The user inputs various operation instructions to the operation unit 8. As an example, in the present embodiment, a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 7 is used as the operation unit 8. However, at least one of a joystick, a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, a button, a remote controller, etc. may be used as the operation unit 8. In addition, an inspection unit 40 (see FIG. 1 ) for inspecting the inspected eye E is also built into the frame 3. Figure 2 ).

[0045] (Electrical structure)

[0046] Reference Figure 2 The electrical structure of the ophthalmic device 1 of the present embodiment is described. The ophthalmic device 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a CPU (controller) 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, and a non-volatile memory (NVM) 34. The CPU 31 performs various controls on the ophthalmic device 1. The RAM 32 temporarily stores various information. The ROM 33 stores various programs, initial values, etc. The non-volatile memory 34 is a non-temporary storage medium that can maintain the stored content even if the power supply is cut off. For example, a hard disk drive, a flash ROM, a removable USB memory, etc. can be used as the non-volatile memory 34. In the present embodiment, the control unit 30 is used to execute the fully automatic inspection process described later (refer to Figure 6)'s inspection processing program and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 34.

[0047] The control unit 30 is connected to the above-mentioned moving unit 4, display unit 7, operation unit 8, and face imaging unit 10. In addition, the control unit 30 is connected to the inspection unit 40 for inspecting the inspected eye E. As described above, the ophthalmic device 1 illustrated in this embodiment measures the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E based on the deformed shape of the cornea by blowing a fluid onto the cornea of ​​the inspected eye E. Therefore, the inspection unit 40 includes a structure for spraying a fluid onto the cornea and a structure for detecting the deformed shape of the cornea.

[0048] The inspection section 40 of this embodiment includes a fluid ejection section 41, a pressure sensor 42, a calibration light source 43, a calibration camera 44, a deformation detection light source 45, and a deformation detection light receiving element 46. The fluid ejection section 41 ejects air from the front end of the inspection protrusion 10 along the inspection axis 10 by compressing the air in the cylinder by an actuator such as a solenoid. The pressure sensor 42 detects the pressure of the gas in the cylinder. The calibration light source 43 emits light (infrared light in this embodiment) for calibrating the inspection axis 10 with respect to the inspected eye E. In addition, the calibration light source 43 can be used as an illumination light source when the face camera 20 performs imaging. The imaging optical axis of the calibration camera 44 coincides with the inspection axis 10. The CPU 31 performs calibration of the inspection axis 10 with respect to the inspected eye E based on the image captured by the calibration camera 44. The deformation detection light source 45 projects a substantially parallel light beam to the cornea of ​​the inspected eye E along an optical axis inclined with respect to the inspection axis 10. The deformation detection light receiving element 46 is arranged in such a way that the amount of light received is maximized when the cornea is flat.

[0049] In addition, since the structure of the inspection unit 40 can use the structure of the existing ophthalmologic apparatus, the configuration of the structure of the inspection unit 40 is omitted (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-17683, etc.) Of course, the structure of the inspection unit 40 can be changed according to the inspection content executed by the ophthalmologic apparatus.

[0050] (Positional Relationship between the Face Imaging Unit and the Inspection Axis and Overview of Inspection Operations)

[0051] Reference Figure 3 to Figure 5 The positional relationship between the face imaging unit 20 and the inspection axis 10 in the housing 3 and an outline of the inspection operation will be described. Figure 3 1 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the face of the subject and the frame 3 when the relative position of the frame 3 with respect to the face positioned by the face support unit 5 (hereinafter also referred to as "the position of the frame 3") is in the initial position. The initial position is the position of the frame 3 when the face of the subject positioned by the face support unit 5 (including both the left eye EL and the right eye ER in this embodiment) is photographed by the face photographing unit 20. In addition, Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The interpupillary distance (the distance between the pupil center of the left eye EL and the pupil center of the right eye ER) of the subject shown is consistent with the average value D of the interpupillary distance of the subject group to be inspected by the ophthalmic apparatus 1. The average value D of the interpupillary distance can be appropriately set according to the subject group. As an example, in this embodiment, the average value D of the interpupillary distance is set to 67 mm.

[0052] The ophthalmologic apparatus 1 simultaneously captures the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the subject in one capturing operation, and appropriately detects the positions of the left eye EL and the right eye ER based on the captured images, thereby shortening the inspection time. Figure 3 As shown, the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 performs imaging in a state where the left-right direction position of the face imaging unit 20 is aligned with the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the subject. Thereafter, the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 detects the respective positions of the left eye EL and the right eye ER (specifically, the positions of the pupils) based on the captured image.

[0053] Next, the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 controls the driving of the moving unit 4 based on the detection result, thereby aligning the inspection axis IO of the inspection protrusion 10 with the eye to be inspected first (hereinafter referred to as the "first inspection eye") of the subject's left eye EL and right eye ER. The relative position of the frame 3 with respect to the face of the subject when the inspection axis IO is aligned with the first inspection eye is referred to as the first position. Figure 4 It is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the face of the subject and the frame 3 when the frame 3 is located at the first position.

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the inspection protrusion 10 protrudes from the subject facing surface 3A of the frame 3 toward the subject side (front) along the inspection axis 10. It is difficult to mechanically arrange the face imaging unit 20 for simultaneously photographing the left eye EL and the right eye ER at the same position as the inspection protrusion 10. In addition, when the face imaging unit 20 is aligned with the position of the inspection protrusion 10 in the left and right direction (for example, when the face imaging unit 20 is arranged vertically above the inspection protrusion 10), after the ophthalmic device 1 performs photographing by the face imaging unit 20, in order to make the inspection axis 10 coincide with one eye, it is necessary to move the frame 3 to either the left or right side. Therefore, the face imaging unit 20 of this embodiment is arranged at a position offset from the inspection axis 10 of the inspection protrusion 10 to either the left or right side in the subject facing surface 3A. In this embodiment, the face imaging unit 20 is arranged at a position offset to the right from the inspection axis 10. However, the face imaging unit 20 may of course be arranged at a position offset to the left from the inspection axis 10.

[0055] Here, the direction in which the face imaging unit 20 deviates from the inspection axis 10 in the left-right direction of the frame 3 (right direction in this embodiment) is referred to as the first direction. The direction in the left-right direction of the frame 3 opposite to the first direction (left direction in this embodiment) is referred to as the second direction.

[0056] The ophthalmic device 1 sets the eye located on the second direction side when viewed from the frame 3 (the right eye ER located on the left side when viewed from the frame 3 in the present embodiment) of the subject as the first inspection eye to be inspected before the other eye. The eye opposite to the first inspection eye (the left eye EL in the present embodiment) of the left eye EL and the right eye ER is set as the second inspection eye to be inspected after the first inspection eye. As viewed from the face camera 20, the first inspection eye and the inspection axis IO are both located in the second direction (the left side in the present embodiment). Therefore, by setting the eye located on the second direction side as the first inspection eye, the number of times the eye is moved from the initial position (refer to FIG. 1 ) to the inspection axis IO can be reduced compared to the case where the other eye is set as the first inspection eye. Figure 3 ) to the first position (refer to Figure 4 )'s movement amount in the left-right direction of the frame 3.

[0057] In addition, it is also considered that the amount of movement from the initial position to the first position can be further reduced by setting the distance L in the left-right direction between the inspection axis 10 and the center of the objective lens 22 of the face camera 20 to half the average value D of the interpupillary distance (D / 2). That is, if the distance L is set to D / 2, when the ophthalmic device 1 is inspecting a subject with an interpupillary distance of D, after the face camera 20 is used to shoot the position extending straight forward from the center C of the left eye EL and the right eye ER, the first inspection eye can be inspected without moving the frame 3 in the left-right direction. However, in the ophthalmic device 1 having the inspection protrusion 10, the distance L cannot be set to D / 2 in many cases. An example of the reason is described below.

[0058] In the present embodiment, when performing an inspection of the inspected eye E (intraocular pressure measurement), it is necessary to perform the inspection with the inspection protrusion 10 close to the inspected eye E. Therefore, if the end of the face camera 20 on the inspected side (front) is set at a position close to the inspected side, the face camera 20 will hit the inspected face (e.g., nose, etc.) when performing the inspection of the inspected eye E. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the end of the face camera 20 on the inspected side on the side (rear) farther from the inspected face than the front end of the inspection protrusion 10.

[0059] When the end of the face camera 20 on the subject's side is arranged behind the front end of the inspection protrusion 10, the inspection protrusion 10 may be reflected in the imaging range of the face camera 20 depending on the positional relationship between the inspection axis 10 of the inspection protrusion 10 and the face camera 20. The shorter the distance between the face camera 20 and the inspection axis 10, the greater the proportion of the inspection protrusion 10 reflected in the imaging range. In particular, if the inspection axis 10 is arranged at the rear of the inspection protrusion 10, the inspection protrusion 10 may be reflected in the imaging range. Figure 3 If the distance L shown is set to be less than D / 2, then within the imaging range of the face imaging unit 20, at least one of the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the subject (the right eye ER in this embodiment) is likely to be blocked by the inspection protrusion 10, and the position of the eye cannot be detected. Therefore, in the ophthalmic device 1 of this embodiment, the position of the face imaging unit 20 relative to the inspection axis 10 is set so that the distance L is greater than D / 2. As a result, it is possible to suppress the eye from being blocked by the inspection protrusion 10.

[0060] Furthermore, if one considers improving the detection accuracy of the eye position, it is considered that one usually wants to set the installation position of the face camera 20 relative to the inspection axis IO so that the inspection protrusion 10 is not reflected at all in the shooting range of the face camera 20. If the distance L in the left-right direction between the center P of the objective lens 22 of the face camera 20 and the inspection axis IO of the inspection protrusion 10 is made very large, the inspection protrusion 10 will not be reflected in the shooting range of the face camera 20. However, as described above, the ophthalmic device 1 needs to perform shooting in a state in which the left-right direction position of the face camera 20 is aligned with the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the subject. Therefore, Figure 3 The larger the distance L shown, the greater the distance from the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) to the first position (refer to Figure 4 ) the longer the moving distance of the frame 3.

[0061] In contrast, in the ophthalmic device 1 of the present embodiment, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the position of the face camera 20 relative to the inspection axis 10 is set so that at least a portion (e.g., the front end portion) of the inspection protrusion 10 is intentionally included in the imaging range 21 of the face camera 20. Therefore, the face camera 20 can be set at a position closer to the inspection axis 10 than when the position of the face camera 20 is set so as to exclude the inspection protrusion 10 from the imaging range 21 of the face camera 20. Therefore, it is easy to reduce the amount of protrusion 10 that is located from the initial position (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ) to the first position (refer to Figure 4). Furthermore, when the frame 3 is located at the initial position, the positional relationship between the inspection axis 10 and the face imaging unit 20 is set so that both the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the subject are included in the imaging range 21 (that is, so that at least one of the left eye EL and the right eye ER is not blocked by the inspection protrusion 10). Therefore, the ophthalmic device 1 of this embodiment can reduce the moving distance of the frame 3 from the initial position to the first position, and can appropriately detect the position of the subject's eye (both eyes in this embodiment).

[0062] As described above, the face imaging unit 20 is disposed at a position offset from the inspection axis 10 of the inspection protrusion 10 toward the upper side of the head of the subject on the subject facing surface 3A of the frame 3 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 ). Therefore, in order to reduce the relative movement of the frame 3 in the vertical direction with respect to the subject, when the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) is close to the height of the eye E, the inspected eye (in this embodiment, both the left eye EL and the right eye ER) is appropriately photographed from obliquely above the inspection protrusion 10 (refer to Figure 5 That is, when photographing is performed by the face photographing unit 20, the eyes are less likely to be blocked by the inspection protruding unit 10 than when the inspection protruding unit 10, the face photographing unit 20, the left eye EL, and the right eye ER are all located at the same height.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , a straight line passing through the center P of the objective lens (the lens located closest to the subject) 22 of the face imaging unit 20, contacting the inspection protrusion 10 and intersecting the inspection axis 10 is set as a tangent line T. In addition, a straight line passing through the center P of the objective lens 22 and extending parallel to the inspection axis 10 is set as a straight line SO. In the ophthalmic device 1 of the present embodiment, the angle θ formed by the tangent line T and the straight line SO is set to be greater than 40 degrees (as an example, 46 degrees in the present embodiment). As a result, it is possible to suppress the proportion of the inspection protrusion 10 reflected in the imaging range 21 of the face imaging unit 20 from becoming too large.

[0064] In addition, the imaging angle of the face imaging unit 20 is set to be 100 degrees or more in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, both the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the subject are appropriately imaged by one imaging operation.

[0065] Reference Figure 3 The initial position of the frame 3 of this embodiment is further described. Figure 3 As shown, when the relative position of the frame body 3 is the initial position, the left-right position of the face imaging unit 20 (specifically, the center P of the objective lens 22) is greater than that of the face supporting unit 5 (see FIG. Figure 1) is shifted toward the first direction side (right side in this embodiment). When the left eye EL and the right eye ER are detected simultaneously using the face capture unit 20 as in this embodiment, it is considered that the face capture unit 20 is usually positioned at the center C for capturing. However, in this embodiment, the face capture unit 20 at the initial position is intentionally shifted from the center C to the second direction side, thereby further shortening the time from the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) to the first position (refer to Figure 4 )'s moving distance.

[0066] In addition, in the present embodiment, the face imaging unit 20 is arranged so that the imaging optical axis of the face imaging unit 20 is parallel to the inspection axis 10. That is, the imaging optical axis of the face imaging unit 20 in the present embodiment coincides with the above-mentioned straight line SO. However, the direction of the imaging optical axis of the face imaging unit 20 may be changed. For example, in the present embodiment, the frame 3 is located in the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) is offset from the center C of the left eye EL and the right eye ER toward the first direction. Therefore, the face imaging unit 20 may be configured so that the imaging optical axis extending toward the subject is inclined toward the second direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) is close to the height of the eye E, the face imaging unit 20 is located higher than the eye E. Therefore, the face imaging unit 20 may be arranged so that the imaging optical axis extending toward the subject side is tilted downward. In these cases, the left eye EL and the right eye ER are easily contained within the imaging range with good balance.

[0067] (Fully automatic inspection and processing)

[0068] Reference Figure 6 An example of the fully automatic inspection process performed by the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The ophthalmologic apparatus 1 switches between a fully automatic mode in which the inspection of both eyes is automatically performed based on the image captured by the face imaging unit 20, and a manual mode in which the inspection personnel manually performs the inspection of the approximate alignment of the axis IO with respect to the inspected eye E. After receiving the fully automatic mode execution instruction, the CPU 31 of the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 executes the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 34. Figure 6 Fully automated inspection processing illustrated in .

[0069] First, the CPU 31 controls the driving of the moving unit 4 so that the relative position of the frame 3 moves to the initial position (see Figure 3)(S1). The CPU 31 is in a standby state until the inspector inputs an instruction to start the inspection (S2: No). When the inspector operates the operation unit 8 and inputs an instruction to start the inspection (S2: Yes), the CPU 31 executes a face-capturing process (S3). In the face-capturing process, the CPU 31 sets the frame 3 to the initial position (see Figure 3 ), the facial imaging unit 20 captures a capture range that includes at least the first eye to be examined (in this embodiment, both the left eye EL and the right eye ER). Figure 5 The image shown in the example.

[0070] Next, the CPU 31 performs an eye position detection process (S4). In the eye position detection process, the CPU 31 detects the position of at least the first eye to be examined (the left eye EL and the right eye ER, respectively, in this embodiment) of the subject positioned by the face support unit 5 based on the image captured by the face capture process. In this embodiment, the CPU 31 obtains the positions of the left eye EL and the right eye ER by inputting the image captured in S3 into a mathematical model trained by a machine learning algorithm. The mathematical model is trained in advance based on a plurality of training data sets that use data of images including the left eye EL and the right eye ER in the capture range as input training data and data indicating the positions of the left eye EL and the right eye ER as output training data. A program for realizing the mathematical model is stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 34. When the image captured in S3 is input, the mathematical model outputs information indicating the positions of the left eye EL and the right eye ER. By using the machine learning algorithm, the accuracy of the eye position detection based on the captured image is improved. However, the method of detecting the eye position from the captured image may be changed. For example, the CPU 31 may perform a known image processing on the captured image and detect the eye position based on the processing result.

[0071] Next, the CPU 31 executes the first movement process (S5). In the first movement process, the CPU 31 controls the driving of the moving unit 4 by detecting the position of the first eye to be examined (the right eye ER in this embodiment) based on the eye position detection process, so that the moving unit 4 at the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) moves the relative position of the frame 3 to the first position (refer to Figure 4 As described above, at the first position, the inspection axis IO is aligned with the first inspected eye (the right eye ER in this embodiment). The ophthalmic device 1 of this embodiment has the above-mentioned various structures, thereby reducing the time required to move from the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ) to the first position (reference Figure 4 )'s movement distance in the left-right direction of the frame 3.

[0072] Next, the CPU 31 executes a first approaching process (S6). In the first approaching process, the CPU 31 brings the frame 3 close to the first eye to be examined after executing the first moving process (S5) and before examining the first eye to be examined. Figure 7 As shown, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The distance B1 between the frame 3 and the eyes EL and ER is reduced to the distance B2. Figure 7 In the state shown in FIG. 1 , the distance between the inspection protrusion 10 and the first inspected eye ER becomes a distance suitable for inspection. In this state, the CPU 31 controls the inspection unit 40 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 ) is driven to perform inspection of the first inspected eye (S7).

[0073] That is, in this embodiment, the initial position of the frame 3 (see Figure 3 ) in the direction along the inspection axis IO (in the front-back direction in the present embodiment), the position of the frame body 3 when the inspection of the inspected eye E is performed using the inspection protrusion 10 (refer to Figure 7 ) away from the face of the subject. Therefore, compared with the case where the initial position of the frame body 3 in the direction along the inspection axis 10 is the same as the inspection position, the shooting range of the face camera 20 for shooting the face of the subject becomes wider. Furthermore, when shooting by the face camera 20, the possibility of the inspection protrusion 10 and the like contacting the subject is also reduced.

[0074] When the CPU 31 executes the first approach process (S6), the calibration light source 43 and the calibration imaging unit 44 (see Figure 2 ) performs a strict calibration of the inspection axis 10 relative to the first inspected eye. As a result, the accuracy of the inspection is further improved.

[0075] Next, the CPU 31 executes the first separation process (S8). In the first separation process, the CPU 31 controls the driving of the moving unit 4 to move the frame 3 from the inspection position (refer to Figure 7 ) moves to the first position (refer to Figure 4 ). As a result, the frame 3 moves away from the first eye to be examined. Then, the CPU 31 executes the second movement process (S9). In the second movement process, the CPU 31 controls the driving of the moving unit 4 based on the detection result of the position of the second eye to be examined (the left eye EL in this embodiment) in the eye position detection process (S4), so that the moving unit 4 located at the first position (refer to Figure 4 ) moves the frame 3 to the second position (refer to Figure 8 ). At the second position, the inspection axis IO is aligned with the second inspected eye (the right eye EL in this embodiment). By performing the second movement process (S9) after performing the first separation process (S8), it is difficult for the inspection protrusion 10 to contact the examinee in the second movement process.

[0076] Next, CPU31 executes the second approach processing (S10), the second eye to be examined inspection processing (S11), and the second separation processing (S12) in sequence. In the second approach processing (S10), CPU31 brings the frame 3 close to the first eye to be examined and brings the inspection protrusion 10 close to the second eye to be examined. In addition, when executing the second approach processing (S10), CPU31 executes the same calibration as S6. In the second eye to be examined inspection processing (S11), CPU31 performs an inspection of the second eye to be examined. In the second separation processing (S12), CPU31 controls the drive of the moving part 4 to move the frame 3 away from the second eye to be examined. After that, the processing returns to S1, and the frame 3 returns to the initial position (refer to Figure 3 ). By returning the frame body 3 to the initial position after executing the second separation process (S12), it is difficult for the inspection protrusion 10 to contact the subject.

[0077] The technology disclosed in the above embodiment is only an example. Therefore, the technology illustrated in the above embodiment may be changed. For example, only a part of the multiple technologies illustrated in the above embodiment may be adopted. As an example, in the above embodiment, when the frame 3 is in the initial position, the left-right position of the face camera 20 is offset from the center C of the left eye EL and the right eye ER to the first direction side. However, the ophthalmic device 1 may also perform facial capture of the subject in a state in which the left-right position of the face camera 20 is aligned with the center C of the left eye EL and the right eye ER. In this case, by adopting at least one of the technologies illustrated in the above embodiment, the movement amount of the frame 3 from the initial position to the first position can also be reduced.

[0078] in addition, Figure 6 The face capturing process shown in S3 is an example of a “face capturing step”. Figure 6 The eye position detection processing shown in S4 is an example of the “eye position detection step”. Figure 6 The first movement processing shown in S5 is an example of a “first movement step”. Figure 6 The second movement processing shown in S9 is an example of a “second movement step”. Figure 6 The first approach processing shown in S6 is an example of a “first approach step”. Figure 6 The first separation process shown in S8 is an example of a "first separation step". Figure 6 The second approach processing shown in S10 is an example of a “second approach step”.

[0079] Description of reference numerals:

[0080] 1: ophthalmic device; 3: housing; 3A: subject facing surface; 4: moving part; 5: face supporting part; 10: inspection protrusion; 20: face imaging part; 21: imaging range; 31: CPU; IO: inspection axis; T: tangent.

Claims

1. An ophthalmologic apparatus for examining a subject's eye while aligning an examination axis with the subject's eye, characterized in that: have: Frame; a moving unit that moves the relative position of the frame with respect to the face of the subject; An inspection protrusion protrudes from the subject-facing surface of the frame toward the subject along the inspection axis; A face imaging unit is disposed at a position offset to the left or right of the inspection axis of the inspection protrusion on the subject facing surface of the frame; and Control Department, At least a part of the inspection protrusion is included in the imaging range of the face imaging unit, When the direction in which the face capture unit is offset relative to the inspection axis in the left-right direction of the frame is set as a first direction and the direction opposite to the first direction is set as a second direction, the left eye and the right eye of the subject located on the second direction side as viewed from the frame are set as first inspection eyes to be inspected before the other eye. The control unit performs the following steps: a face photographing step of photographing a photographing range including at least the first inspection eye by the face photographing unit in a state where the relative position of the frame is moved to an initial position where the position of the face photographing unit in the left-right direction is located between the left eye and the right eye of the subject; a first moving step of controlling the driving of the moving unit based on the image captured in the face capturing step so that the relative position of the frame body located at the initial position moves to a first position where the inspection axis coincides with the first inspection eye; as well as The second moving step is to move the relative position of the frame body located at the first position to a second position where the inspection axis approaches a second inspection eye on the opposite side of the first inspection eye after the inspection of the first inspection eye is completed.

2. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1, wherein: the control unit, in the face photographing step, photographs a photographing range including both the first inspection eye and the second inspection eye of the subject through the face photographing unit in a state where the relative position of the frame is moved to the initial position, In the second movement step, the control unit moves the relative position of the frame to the second position based on the position of the second inspection eye detected from the image captured in the face capturing step.

3. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the average value of the interpupillary distance of the group of subjects to be inspected is defined as D, the distance in the left-right direction between the inspection axis and the center of the objective lens of the face imaging unit is larger than D / 2.

4. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the relative position of the frame is the initial position, the position of the face imaging unit in the left-right direction is offset to the first direction side relative to the center of the left eye and the right eye of the subject.

5. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The initial position of the frame is farther from the face of the subject in a direction along the inspection axis than a position of the frame when an eye inspection is performed using the inspection protrusion.

6. The ophthalmic device according to claim 5, characterized in that The control unit performs the following steps: a first approaching step of bringing the frame body close to the first inspection eye after performing the first moving step and before inspecting the first inspection eye; a first separation step, after the inspection of the first inspection eye is completed and before the second moving step is performed, moving the frame away from the first inspection eye; as well as The second approaching step is to bring the frame body closer to the second inspection eye after executing the second moving step.

7. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The face imaging unit is disposed on the subject-facing surface of the housing at a position offset toward the upper side of the subject's head relative to the inspection axis of the inspection protrusion.

8. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An angle formed by a straight line passing through the center of the objective lens of the face imaging unit, contacting the inspection protrusion and intersecting the inspection axis, and a straight line passing through the center of the objective lens and extending parallel to the inspection axis is 40 degrees or more.

Images