ophthalmic devices

Abstract

This invention provides a new technology for optimally performing small pupil imaging without completely losing intraocular information. [Solution] The ophthalmic apparatus includes a first scanning optical system, a segmented filter, a descanning optical system, and one or more black dot plates. The first scanning optical system deflects slit-shaped illumination light from a light source using a scanning mirror and guides it to the eye under examination via an objective lens. The segmented filter is positioned between the light source and the scanning mirror at a position approximately conjugate to the pupil optically, and forms two or more illumination apertures and a single light-receiving aperture, or a single illumination aperture and two or more light-receiving apertures. The descanning optical system guides the reflected light from the eye under examination, which has been guided through the objective lens and scanning mirror and passed through the light-receiving aperture, to an image sensor. One or more black dot plates are positioned on the optical path between the objective lens and the scanning mirror at a position where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens to form an image.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] This invention relates to an ophthalmic device.

Background Art

[0002] For ophthalmic devices for screening and treating eye diseases, there is a demand for devices that can easily capture (observe) images of the fundus of the eye to be examined with a wide field of view. As such an ophthalmic device, a Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO) is known. An SLO is a device that forms an image of the fundus by scanning the fundus with light and detecting the returned light with a light receiving device.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of obtaining a clear fundus image of the eye to be examined by providing a projection aperture and a confocal aperture arranged at a position optically conjugate to the retina and scanning the retina with slit-shaped light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an ophthalmic device capable of imaging a site inside the eye such as the fundus, illumination light is incident on the eye through the pupil, and the reflected light (returned light, fundus reflected light) of the illumination light from the fundus is emitted through the pupil. Therefore, in an ophthalmic device, at a pupil conjugate plane that is optically substantially conjugate to the pupil of the eye to be examined, the image of the illumination aperture through which the illumination light passes and the image of the light receiving aperture (imaging aperture) through which the reflected light passes are separated.

[0006] However, the ophthalmic device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that a single illumination aperture and a single light-receiving aperture are formed on the pupil conjugate surface. In this case, if the eye being examined has a small pupil, there is a problem in that the image quality of the acquired image deteriorates for the following reasons.

[0007] Figures 13A and 13B show schematic diagrams illustrating the process of photographing the fundus of an eye with a normal pupil diameter using a conventional ophthalmic device disclosed in Patent Document 1. Figure 13A schematically represents the images of the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture in a conventional ophthalmic device. Figure 13B schematically represents the illumination light and reflected light incident on the eye in the state shown in Figure 13A.

[0008] In the ophthalmic device described above, a separation aperture is positioned optically conjugate to the pupil of the eye E in order to completely separate the illumination beam entering the eye through the pupil from the reflected beam exiting the eye through the pupil. The separation aperture has an illumination aperture through which the illumination beam IL passes and a light-receiving aperture through which the reflected beam OL from the fundus passes. As a result, an image ILP from the illumination aperture and an image SHP from the light-receiving aperture are formed on the pupil conjugate plane PL (see Figure 13A).

[0009] In fundus photography of the eye under examination E, illumination light is introduced through the pupil and reflected light is emitted. Therefore, in the pupil conjugate plane PL, it is necessary to contain at least a portion of the illumination aperture image ILP and at least a portion of the light-receiving aperture image SHP within the pupil division range Rp1 corresponding to the pupil diameter φ1 of the eye under examination E (Figure 13A). At this time, the gap between the illumination aperture image and the light-receiving aperture image (the gap between the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture at the separation diaphragm) is a predetermined gap length GP1 (>0). Here, the gap is the distance (shortest distance) between the illumination aperture image and the light-receiving aperture image in the direction of alignment of the illumination aperture image and the light-receiving aperture image.

[0010] As shown in Figure 13A, when the gap is a predetermined gap length GP1, as shown in Figure 13B, the illumination beam IL passes through the objective lens OBJ positioned on the optical axis O and is guided to the fundus through the pupil of the eye E being examined. The reflected light beam OL of the illumination beam IL reflected from the fundus exits the eye E being examined through the pupil, passes through the objective lens OBJ, and is guided to the light receiving path (photographic path).

[0011] In contrast, if the eye being examined (E) has a small pupil, the above gap needs to be shortened.

[0012] Figures 14A and 14B show schematic diagrams illustrating the process of photographing the fundus of a subject eye E with a small pupil using a conventional ophthalmic device disclosed in Patent Document 1. Figure 14A schematically represents the images of the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture in a conventional ophthalmic device. Figure 14B schematically represents the illumination light and reflected light incident on the subject eye E in the state shown in Figure 14A. In Figures 14A and 14B, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figures 13A and 13B, and explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0013] If the eye E under examination is a small pupil eye, it is necessary to fit at least a portion of the image ILP of the illumination aperture and at least a portion of the image SHP of the light-receiving aperture within the pupil division range Rp2 corresponding to the pupil diameter φ2 of the small pupil in the pupil conjugate plane PL (Figure 14A). In this case, the gap between the image of the illumination aperture and the image of the light-receiving aperture is a predetermined gap length GP2( <GP1)となる。

[0014] As shown in Figure 14A, when the gap reaches a predetermined gap length GP2, the illumination beam IL passes near the optical axis of the objective lens OBJ, as shown in Figure 14B. As a result, reflections at the lens apex AP on the optical axis O of the objective lens OBJ (central ghosting) are more likely to enter the light-receiving path, causing flare as an artifact and increasing the likelihood of complete loss of fundus information, at least in part of the imaging area.

[0015] In this case, by placing a black spot plate at a position on the illumination path that is optically conjugate to the lens apex AP of the objective lens OBJ, central ghosting caused by reflection from the lens apex AP can be prevented.

[0016] Figures 15 and 16 show schematic diagrams illustrating the arrangement of a black spot plate in a conventional fundus apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. Figure 15 schematically represents the illumination light and reflected light incident on the eye E under examination with the black spot plate in place. Figure 16 schematically represents the fundus image of the eye E under examination acquired in a conventional fundus apparatus with the black spot plate in place. In Figure 15, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figure 13A or Figure 13B, and explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0017] As described above, when a black spot plate is positioned on the illumination path optically conjugate to the lens apex AP of the objective lens OBJ, the illumination light passing through the lens apex AP of the objective lens OBJ is blocked by the black spot plate. As a result, the illumination light does not reach the fundus near the lens optical axis of the objective lens OBJ. In this case, as shown in Figure 16, a black spot shadow BS caused by the black spot plate is depicted in the acquired fundus image IMG10. The area where the black spot shadow BS is depicted is in a state of black crush (a state in which grayscale information is lost), and it is an area in which fundus information as intraocular information representing the intraocular morphology is completely lost.

[0018] As described above, the conventional ophthalmic device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the image quality of the fundus image deteriorates due to the occurrence of flare or the depiction of black spots, resulting in the loss of fundus information in at least a portion of the imaging area. This problem is not limited to cases where the imaging site is the fundus, but is also true when imaging the inside of the eye being examined.

[0019] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a new technology for suitably realizing small pupil imaging without completely losing intraocular information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] One aspect of some embodiments is an ophthalmic device including a first scanning optical system, a splitting filter, a descanning optical system, and one or more black dot plates. The first scanning optical system includes an objective lens and a scanning mirror disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the pupil of the eye to be examined, and is configured to deflect slit-shaped illumination light from a light source unit by the scanning mirror and guide it to the eye to be examined through the objective lens. The splitting filter is disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the pupil between the light source unit and the scanning mirror, and two or more illumination apertures and a single light receiving aperture, or a single illumination aperture and two or more light receiving apertures are formed. The descanning optical system is configured to guide the return light of the illumination light from the eye to be examined that is guided through the objective lens and the scanning mirror and passes through the light receiving aperture to an imaging element disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the imaging site in the eye to be examined. The one or more black dot plates are disposed at a position where the illumination light forms an image in the first scanning optical system by being reflected by the objective lens on the optical path between the objective lens and the scanning mirror.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a new technique for suitably realizing small pupil imaging without completely losing intraocular information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical system of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the optical system of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the optical system of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the processing system of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the processing system of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]It is a flowchart showing an operation example of an ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7A] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7B] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical system of the ophthalmic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical system according to the first modification of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical system according to the second modification of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical system according to the third modification of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical system according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. [Figure 13A] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional ophthalmic device. [Figure 13B] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional ophthalmic device. [Figure 14A] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional ophthalmic device. [Figure 14B] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional ophthalmic device. [Figure 15] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional ophthalmic device. [Figure 16] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional ophthalmic device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Examples of embodiments of the ophthalmic device according to this invention will be described in detail while referring to the drawings. Note that the description contents of the documents cited in this specification and any publicly known techniques can be incorporated into the following embodiments.

[0024] The ophthalmic apparatus according to this embodiment includes a scanning optical system (first scanning optical system), a descanning optical system, a division filter (pupil division filter), and one or more black spot plates.

[0025] The scanning optical system comprises an objective lens and a scanning mirror positioned approximately conjugate to the pupil of the eye under examination. Here, the position approximately conjugate to the pupil of the eye under examination includes the pupillary conjugate position, or the vicinity of the pupillary conjugate position. The scanning optical system is configured to deflect a slit-shaped (line-shaped) illumination light from a light source using the scanning mirror, and to illuminate the eye under examination with the deflected illumination light via the objective lens. By sequentially moving the illumination area of ​​the illumination light, a predetermined illumination range including a desired imaging area (e.g., the fundus) in the eye under examination is scanned with the illumination light.

[0026] The descan optical system is configured to descan the reflected light (reflected light) of the illumination light guided from the eye under examination via the objective lens using a scanning mirror, and to guide the descanned reflected light (specifically, the reflected light that has passed through the light-receiving aperture described later) to the image sensor. The image sensor (imaging surface) is positioned at a location that is approximately optically conjugate to the area of ​​the eye under examination that is being photographed. If the area of ​​photography is the fundus, the position that is approximately optically conjugate to the fundus of the eye under examination includes the fundus conjugate position that is optically conjugate to the fundus of the eye under examination, or the vicinity of the fundus conjugate position.

[0027] The split filter optically divides (separates) the optical path of the descanning optical system from the optical path of the scanning optical system. The split filter is positioned at or near the pupil conjugate position. In some embodiments, the split filter is positioned at or near the pupil conjugate position in the optical path between the light source and the scanning mirror. The split filter has two or more illumination apertures and a single light-receiving aperture (imaging aperture), or a single illumination aperture and two or more light-receiving apertures.

[0028] When a segmented filter has two or more illumination apertures and a single light-receiving aperture, illumination light that has passed through the two or more illumination apertures is directed to the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination, and the reflected light from the imaging area that has passed through the single light-receiving aperture is directed to the descanning optical system.

[0029] When a split filter has a single illumination aperture and two or more light-receiving apertures, illumination light passing through the single illumination aperture is directed to the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination, and the reflected light from the imaging area passing through the two or more light-receiving apertures is directed to the descanning optical system.

[0030] One or more black dot plates are positioned on the optical path between the objective lens and the scanning mirror at or near a position where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens and an image is formed in the scanning optical system. In some embodiments, one or more black dot plates are positioned on the optical axis of the scanning optical system at or near a position optically conjugate to the lens vertex of the objective lens (lens vertex conjugate position). In some embodiments, one or more black dot plates are positioned at or near the above-mentioned lens vertex conjugate position or its vicinity, on the optical path between the objective lens and the scanning mirror at a position where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens and an image is formed in the scanning optical system.

[0031] In some embodiments, one or more black dot plates are positioned at or near a position where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens, with the position of the illumination aperture as the object point, thereby forming an image in the scanning optical system. Here, the position of the illumination aperture is the position of the illumination aperture (two or more illumination apertures or a single illumination aperture) formed in the split filter.

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more black dot plates are positioned at at least one of the following locations: a position where illumination light is reflected from the front of the objective lens to form an image in the scanning optical system, and a position where illumination light is reflected from the rear of the objective lens to form an image in the scanning optical system.

[0033] In some embodiments, the objective lens includes one or more cemented lenses formed by bonding two or more lenses together. In this case, one or more black dot plates are positioned so as to be imaged in the scanning optical system by the reflection of illumination light from one or more cemented surfaces of the one or more cemented lenses.

[0034] As described above, images of the eye obtained by illuminating the imaging area of ​​the eye with illumination light that has passed through two or more illumination apertures, or images of the eye obtained by receiving reflected light that has passed through two or more light-receiving apertures from the imaging area, depict two or more black spots. Here, each of the two or more black spots corresponds to two or more illumination apertures or two or more light-receiving apertures. Therefore, each black spot contains tonal information (intraocular information) as fundus information obtained by illumination with illumination light that has passed through the remaining illumination apertures excluding the corresponding illumination aperture, or tonal information obtained by reflected light that has passed through the remaining light-receiving apertures excluding the corresponding light-receiving aperture. As a result, each of the two or more black spots is not completely blacked out, and each black spot area contains tonal information corresponding to the amount of illumination light that has passed through the remaining illumination apertures or reflected light that has passed through the remaining light-receiving apertures.

[0035] For example, by applying a predetermined black spot correction process to the obtained image of the eye under examination, it is possible to avoid the complete loss of tonal information. This makes it possible to acquire an image containing intraocular information of the eye under examination and to perform an appropriate diagnosis of the image of the eye with a small pupil, even when it is necessary to shorten the gap, such as when the eye under examination has a small pupil.

[0036] The control method for the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment includes one or more steps for realizing processing to be performed by one or more processors (computers) in the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment. The program according to the embodiment causes one or more processors to execute each step of the control method for the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment. That is, the program according to the embodiment is a computer program that includes instructions to cause the computer to execute the control method for the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment when the program is executed by the computer. The recording medium (storage medium) according to the embodiment is any non-transitory recording medium that is readable by a computer and on which the program according to the embodiment is recorded (stored). The recording medium may be an electronic medium that utilizes magnetism, light, magneto-optical technology, semiconductors, etc. Typically, recording media include magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, flash memory, solid-state drives, etc. Examples of magnetic disks include hard disks, floppy disks, ZIP and other magnetic storage media. Examples of magneto-optical disks include CD-ROMs, DVD-RAMs, DVD-ROMs, MOs, etc. It is also possible to send and receive this program via a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

[0037] In this specification, "processor" means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a programmable logic device (e.g., SPLD (Simple Programmable Logic Device), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)), or other circuit. The processor realizes the functions according to the embodiment by, for example, reading and executing a program stored in a memory circuit or memory device.

[0038] The following description will focus on the case where the ophthalmic device according to the embodiment is primarily a fundus imaging device that photographs the fundus as the imaging site. However, the following embodiments can also be applied to ophthalmic devices that photograph areas other than the fundus.

[0039] In the following, the position optically conjugate to the fundus of the eye under examination will be referred to as the "fundus conjugate position," and the position approximately optically conjugate to the fundus of the eye under examination will be referred to as the "fundus conjugate position or its vicinity." Similarly, the position optically conjugate to the pupil of the eye under examination will be referred to as the "pupil conjugate position," and the position approximately optically conjugate to the pupil of the eye under examination will be referred to as the "pupil conjugate position or its vicinity."

[0040] <First Embodiment> [Optical system] Figure 1 shows an example of the optical system configuration of an ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment.

[0041] The ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to acquire a fundus image of the eye E by scanning the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination with a slit-shaped illumination light and sequentially receiving the reflected light from the illumination light of the fundus Ef. The reflected light from the fundus Ef is the scattered light (reflected light) from the illumination light that irradiated the fundus Ef with the illumination light incident on the eye E under examination. In some embodiments, the reflected light from the fundus Ef includes the scattered light (reflected light) of the illumination light from the fundus Ef, and fluorescence and its scattered light, which are excited by the illumination light incident on the eye E under examination. In Figure 1, the position optically conjugate to the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination is shown as the fundus conjugate position P, and the position optically conjugate to the pupil Eu of the eye E under examination is shown as the pupil conjugate position Q.

[0042] The ophthalmic device 1 includes a scanning optical system 10 including a scanning mirror 14, a descanning optical system 20, a segmented filter 21, and an image sensor 24.

[0043] The scan optical system 10 is configured as an illumination optical system to illuminate the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination with slit-shaped illumination light from a light source. The descan optical system 20 is configured to guide the reflected light from the fundus Ef, which has passed through the optical path of the scan optical system 10, to the image sensor 24. In Figure 1, a scanning mirror 14 and a splitting filter 21 are arranged on the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10. The scanning mirror 14 scans the fundus Ef with the illumination light by deflecting the slit-shaped illumination light. The splitting filter 21 splits the illumination light and the reflected light of the illumination light at the pupillary conjugate plane (pupil conjugate plane) and guides the split reflected light to the image sensor 24.

[0044] The scanning optical system 10 includes, in addition to the scanning mirror 14, a light source 11, a slit aperture 12, a relay lens 13, a black dot plate 30, a relay lens 15, and an objective lens 16.

[0045] (Light source 11) The light source 11 outputs light in the visible or infrared wavelength range. For example, the light source 11 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode).

[0046] In some embodiments, the light source 11 includes two or more light sources that generate light in different wavelength ranges, and can combine and emit light generated simultaneously from the two or more light sources, or emit light generated from any one of the two or more light sources.

[0047] (Slit aperture 12) The slit aperture 12 has one or more slits (slit-shaped openings) formed therein. The slit aperture 12 (specifically, one or more slits) is positioned at a location that is approximately optically conjugate to the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination (the fundus conjugate position or its vicinity). In the following, it will be assumed that the slit aperture 12 has a single slit.

[0048] Figure 2 shows an explanatory diagram of the slit aperture 12 in Figure 1. Figure 2 schematically represents an example of the configuration of the slit aperture 12 when viewed from the direction of the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10.

[0049] The slit aperture 12 has a slit 12A through which the optical axis O passes. By uniformly irradiating the slit aperture 12 with light from the light source 11, the light that passes through the slit 12A is emitted as a slit-shaped illumination light, acting as a secondary light source.

[0050] The slit 12A has, for example, an elongated rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction as the slit direction. The shape of the slit 12A defines the shape of the illumination area (illumination pattern shape) of the illumination light in the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination. By deflecting the scanning mirror 14, described later, at least in the direction of the intersection of the slit direction, the reflected light from the illumination area moving in the fundus Ef is sequentially received.

[0051] In some embodiments, the slit aperture 12 is configured to allow the slit shape of the slit 12A to be changed. For example, the slit shape of the slit 12A can be changed according to at least one of the fundus shape of the eye E under examination (shape of the imaging area), the diopter (refractive power) of the eye E under examination, and the shape of the illumination area of ​​the illuminating light in the fundus Ef. This makes it easy to prevent degradation of the fundus image of the eye E under examination caused by distortion of the illumination area of ​​the illuminating light in the fundus Ef. Such a slit aperture 12 can be realized, for example, by a liquid crystal shutter.

[0052] In some embodiments, the slit aperture 12 is configured to be tilted with respect to the optical axis O in the direction of propagation of the illumination light or in a direction intersecting the direction of propagation. For example, the angle (tilt angle) of the slit 12A with respect to the optical axis O can be changed according to at least one of the fundus shape of the eye under examination E (shape of the imaging area), the diopter of the eye under examination E, and the shape of the illumination area in the fundus Ef. The light source 11 may also be configured to tilt in conjunction with the tilt of the slit aperture 12.

[0053] In some embodiments, a condenser lens is placed between the light source 11 and the slit aperture 12. The condenser lens can increase the amount of light passing through the slit 12A by focusing the light from the light source 11.

[0054] (Relay lens 13) The relay lens 13 transmits the illumination light that has passed through the slit 12A formed in the slit aperture 12 and guides it to the split filter 21.

[0055] In some embodiments, the relay lens 13 is configured to move in the direction of the optical axis O as a focusing lens. By moving the relay lens 13 in the direction of the optical axis O, the slit aperture 12 (slit 12A) can be positioned at or near the conjugate position in the fundus.

[0056] In some embodiments, the slit aperture 12 is configured to be movable in the direction of the optical axis O. In some embodiments, the slit aperture 12 and the relay lens 13 are configured to be movable together or independently.

[0057] (Scanning mirror 14) The scanning mirror 14 is positioned on the optical axis O of the scanning optical system 10 as an optical scanner. The scanning mirror 14 (the deflection surface, scanning surface of the scanning mirror) is positioned at a position that is approximately optically conjugate to the pupil Eu of the eye under examination (the pupil conjugate position or its vicinity). The scanning mirror 14 deflects the illumination light one-dimensionally, for example, in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the slit direction of the slit 12A.

[0058] The scanning mirror 14 includes, for example, a galvanometer scanner, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) scanner, a polygon mirror, or a resonant scanner. For example, the scanning mirror 14 includes a galvanometer scanner that deflects illumination light within a predetermined deflection angle range with respect to a predetermined deflection reference angle direction.

[0059] In some embodiments, the scanning mirror 14 deflects the illumination light two-dimensionally in a two-dimensional direction including the direction of intersection (orthogonal direction) with the slit direction of the slit 12A. For example, the scanning mirror 14 includes a first scanning mirror and a second scanning mirror. The first scanning mirror deflects the illumination light so that the illumination area in the fundus Ef moves in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the scanning optical system 10. The second scanning mirror deflects the illumination light deflected by the first scanning mirror so that the illumination area in the fundus Ef moves in a vertical direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the scanning optical system 10.

[0060] (Split filter 21) A split filter 21 is positioned between the relay lens 13 and the scanning mirror 14.

[0061] The splitting filter 21 is positioned at or near the pupillary conjugate position. The splitting filter 21 splits the illumination light and the reflected light of the illumination light (pupil splitting) at the pupillary conjugate surface at or near the pupillary conjugate position. By positioning the splitting filter 21 near the deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14, the optical system of the ophthalmic device 1 can be miniaturized.

[0062] Figure 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the segment filter 21 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 schematically represents an example of the configuration of the segment filter 21 when viewed from the direction of the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10.

[0063] The segmented filter 21 has a single light-receiving aperture in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis O, and two or more illumination apertures formed in a peripheral region eccentric to the optical axis O. In the first embodiment, the segmented filter 21 is assumed to have a single light-receiving aperture 21A and two illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb.

[0064] The light-receiving aperture 21A is formed in the central region, which includes a position corresponding to the optical axis O as the optical axis of the illumination light. The two illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb are formed in peripheral regions eccentric to the optical axis O. In this case, the illumination apertures 21Ba (21Bb) and the light-receiving aperture 21A are formed with a distance of gap GP between them.

[0065] In Figure 3, the shape of the light-receiving aperture 21A is circular or elliptical, but the configuration according to the embodiment is not limited to the shape of the light-receiving aperture 21A. Also, the shapes of the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb are rectangular (rectangular, square), but the configuration according to the embodiment is not limited to the shapes of the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb. Furthermore, the shapes of two or more illumination apertures, including illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb, may be different from each other. Moreover, the split filter 21 may have two or more illumination apertures and two or more light-receiving apertures formed therein.

[0066] In the split filter 21, illumination light from the relay lens 13 passes through illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb on the pupil conjugate plane, the reflected light from the illumination light from the fundus Ef is descanned by the scanning mirror 14, and the descanned reflected light passes through the light receiving aperture 21A. The reflected light that has passed through the light receiving aperture 21A is guided to the descan optical system 20.

[0067] (Relay lens 15) The relay lens 15 transmits the illumination light deflected by the scanning mirror 14 and guides it to the objective lens 16, and also transmits the reflected illumination light from the objective lens 16 and guides it to the scanning mirror 14.

[0068] (Objective lens 16) The objective lens 16 guides the illumination light that has passed through the relay lens 15 to the eye under examination E, illuminating the fundus Ef through the pupil Eu, and also guides the reflected illumination light from the fundus Ef, which has been emitted through the pupil Eu, back to the relay lens 15.

[0069] In some embodiments, the objective lens 16 includes two or more lenses. In some embodiments, it includes one or more cemented lenses formed by bonding two or more lenses together.

[0070] (Black dot plate 30) The black spot plate 30 is positioned on the optical axis O between the objective lens 16 and the scanning mirror 14. The black spot plate 30 blocks the light reflected by the objective lens 16 from the illumination light. One or more black spot plates 30 may be positioned on the optical axis O.

[0071] Each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned in the optical path between the objective lens 16 and the scanning mirror 14 at a position (objective lens reflected light imaging position) or near such a position where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens 16 and an image is formed in the scanning optical system 10.

[0072] In some embodiments, each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned on the optical axis O at a position optically conjugate to the lens vertex of the objective lens 16 (lens vertex conjugate position) or in its vicinity. In some embodiments, each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned at the objective lens reflected light imaging position or in its vicinity, on the optical path between the objective lens 16 and the scanning mirror 14, among the lens vertex conjugate position or its vicinity.

[0073] In some embodiments, each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned at or near a location where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens 16 with illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb as object points and an image is formed in the scanning optical system 10.

[0074] In some embodiments, each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned at at least one location where illumination light is reflected from the front surface of the objective lens 16 to form an image in the scanning optical system 10, and where illumination light is reflected from the rear surface of the objective lens 16 to form an image in the scanning optical system 10. Here, the front surface of the objective lens 16 is the lens surface of the objective lens 16 facing the eye under examination E, and the rear surface of the objective lens 16 is the lens surface of the objective lens 16 on the light source 11 side.

[0075] As described above, when the objective lens 16 includes one or more cemented lenses, each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned at or near a position where it forms an image in the scanning optical system 10 due to the reflection of illumination light from one or more cemented surfaces of the one or more cemented lenses.

[0076] In some embodiments, a single black dot plate 30 is positioned on the optical axis O by adjusting the curvature of the lens surface of the objective lens 16, etc., so that two or more positions where the reflected light of the illumination light from the objective lens 16 is imaged in the scanning optical system 10 are concentrated at a single position. In Figure 1, a single black dot plate 30 is positioned between the relay lens 15 and the scanning mirror 14.

[0077] (Branching mirror 22) A branching mirror 22 may be positioned on the optical axis O between the relay lens 13 and the light-receiving aperture 21A formed in the split filter 21. In this case, the branching mirror 22 is positioned at or near the pupil conjugate position.

[0078] The branching mirror 22 deflects the reflected light from the fundus Ef that has passed through the light-receiving aperture 21A (the reflected light that has been descanned by the scanning mirror 14) toward the descanning optical system 20.

[0079] (Descan optics 20) The descan optical system 20, acting as a light-receiving optical system, guides the reflected light of the illumination light, which has been divided at the pupil conjugate plane by the splitting filter 21, to the image sensor 24. In Figure 1, the descan optical system 20 guides the reflected light of the illumination light, which has been deflected by the branching mirror 22 (the reflected light of the illumination light divided by the splitting filter 21), to the image sensor 24.

[0080] The descan optical system 20 includes a relay lens 23 and an image sensor 24. In some embodiments, the descan optical system 20 further includes a branch mirror 22.

[0081] (Relay lens 23) The relay lens 23 transmits the reflected light that has been deflected by the branching mirror 22 and guides it to the image sensor 24 (imaging surface).

[0082] In some embodiments, the relay lens 23 is configured to move along the optical axis of the descan optical system 20 as a focusing lens. By moving the relay lens 23 along the optical axis of the descan optical system 20, the image sensor 24 (imaging plane) can be positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus.

[0083] In some embodiments, the image sensor 24 is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction of the descan optical system 20.

[0084] (Image sensor 24) The image sensor 24 (imaging surface, light-receiving surface, detection surface) can be positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus. The image sensor 24 realizes the function of a one-dimensional image sensor or a two-dimensional image sensor as a pixelated light-receiving device.

[0085] The luminous beam (optical path) of the reflected light of the illumination light descanned by the scanning mirror 14 is fixed in the descanning optical system 20. Therefore, the image sensor 24 can receive reflected light from the illumination area of ​​the fundus Ef using a one-dimensional image sensor (e.g., a line sensor) having a light-receiving region (light-receiving area) in which light-receiving elements are arranged in one dimension.

[0086] If the image sensor 24 is a two-dimensional image sensor, the image sensor 24 can set a virtually movable light-receiving region (light-receiving region) at a position that is approximately optically conjugate to the fundus Ef. In this case, the image sensor 24 can receive reflected light from the illumination region of the fundus Ef in a predetermined light-receiving region where the light-receiving elements are arranged in a one-dimensional direction within an imaging region where the light-receiving elements are arranged in two dimensions.

[0087] Such an image sensor 24 includes, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor.

[0088] In some embodiments, the descan optical system 20 includes a confocal diaphragm positioned approximately conjugate to the fundus Ef, which is the imaging site of the eye E under examination. For example, the confocal diaphragm is positioned between the branching mirror 22 and the image sensor 24, and the aperture formed in the confocal diaphragm is positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus. By providing such a confocal diaphragm, unwanted light, including reflected light from areas other than the fundus Ef, can be removed, making it possible to obtain a clearer fundus image.

[0089] In the ophthalmic apparatus 1 having this configuration, the light generated by the light source 11 uniformly illuminates the slit aperture 12. The light that passes through the slit 12A formed in the slit aperture 12 passes through the relay lens 13 as slit-shaped illumination light, passes through the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb formed in the split filter 21, and is deflected by the scanning mirror 14. The illumination light deflected by the scanning mirror 14 passes through the relay lens 15, passes through the objective lens 16, and is irradiated onto the fundus Ef through the pupil Eu.

[0090] The reflected light from the illuminating fundus Ef exits the eye through the pupil Eu, passes through the objective lens 16, passes through the relay lens 15, and is descanned by the scanning mirror 14. The reflected light descanned by the scanning mirror 14 passes through the light-receiving aperture 21A formed in the split filter 21 and is deflected toward the descanning optical system 20 by the branching mirror 22. The reflected light deflected by the branching mirror 22 passes through the relay lens 23 and forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 24.

[0091] [Processing System] Figures 4 and 5 show an example of the configuration of the processing system of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 4, the same reference numerals are used for parts similar to those in Figures 1 to 3, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In Figure 5, the same reference numerals are used for parts similar to those in Figure 4, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0092] The processing system (control system) of the ophthalmic device 1 is centered around the control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls each part of the ophthalmic device 1.

[0093] The control unit 100 includes a main control unit 101 and a storage unit 102. The functions of the main control unit 101 are realized, for example, by a processor. The storage unit 102 stores in advance computer programs for controlling the ophthalmic device 1. These computer programs include a program for controlling the scanning optical system, a program for controlling the descanning optical system, a program for controlling the scanning mirror, an image forming program, a data processing program, and a user interface program. The control unit 100 executes control processing by operating the main control unit 101 in accordance with such computer programs.

[0094] (Main control unit 101) The main control unit 101 controls the scanning optical system 10 including the scanning mirror 14, the descanning optical system 20 including the image sensor 24, and the moving mechanisms 13D and 23D. Furthermore, the main control unit 101 controls the image forming unit 200, the data processing unit 300, and the user interface (UI) unit 110.

[0095] Control of the scanning optical system 10 includes control of the light source 11 and control of the scanning mirror 14.

[0096] Control of the light source 11 includes turning the light source on and off, and adjusting the light intensity of the emitted light.

[0097] Control of the scanning mirror 14 includes controlling the angle of the deflection surface that deflects the illumination light. By controlling the angle of the deflection surface, it is possible to control the deflection direction (scan direction) of the illumination light. By controlling the angular range of the deflection surface, it is possible to control the scan range (scan start position and scan end position). By controlling the rate at which the angle of the deflection surface changes, it is possible to control the scan speed.

[0098] Control of the descan optical system 20 includes control of the image sensor 24, among other things.

[0099] Control over the image sensor 24 includes setting control of the light-receiving area on the imaging surface and reading out the light-receiving results from the image sensor 24.

[0100] The moving mechanism 13D moves the relay lens 13 in the direction of the optical axis O. The main control unit 101 outputs a control signal to the moving mechanism 13D, thereby moving the relay lens 13 by an amount and direction corresponding to the control signal. For example, the ophthalmic device 1 is provided with an actuator that generates a driving force to drive the moving mechanism 13D, and a transmission mechanism that transmits this driving force. The actuator is composed of, for example, a pulse motor. The transmission mechanism is composed of, for example, a combination of gears or a rack and pinion. The moving mechanism 13D receives the driving force generated by the actuator controlled by the main control unit 101 and moves the relay lens 13 in the direction of the optical axis O.

[0101] The moving mechanism 23D moves the relay lens 23 in the direction of the optical axis of the descan optical system 20. The main control unit 101 outputs a control signal to the moving mechanism 23D, thereby moving the relay lens 23 by an amount and direction corresponding to the control signal. For example, the ophthalmic device 1 is provided with an actuator that generates a driving force to drive the moving mechanism 23D, and a transmission mechanism that transmits this driving force. The actuator is composed of, for example, a pulse motor. The transmission mechanism is composed of, for example, a combination of gears or a rack and pinion. The moving mechanism 23D receives the driving force generated by the actuator controlled by the main control unit 101 and moves the relay lens 23 in the direction of the optical axis of the descan optical system 20.

[0102] In some embodiments, the ophthalmic device 1 includes an optical system movement mechanism that moves the optical system relative to the eye E under examination. The optical system movement mechanism moves the optical system (device optical system) shown in Figure 1 in three dimensions. For example, the optical system movement mechanism includes a first mechanism, a second mechanism, and a third mechanism. The first mechanism moves the optical system (housing housing the optical system) horizontally (left-right direction). The second mechanism moves the optical system vertically (up-down direction). The third mechanism moves the optical system in the direction of the optical axis O of the scanning optical system 10 (depth direction, front-back direction, working distance direction). For example, the first mechanism includes a first stage that is movable horizontally and a first movement mechanism that moves the first stage. For example, the second mechanism includes a second stage that is movable vertically and a second movement mechanism that moves the second stage. For example, the third mechanism includes a third stage that is movable in the direction of the optical axis O and a third movement mechanism that moves the third stage. Each movement mechanism includes a pulse motor as an actuator and operates under control from the main control unit 101.

[0103] Control over the optical system movement mechanism is used in alignment and tracking. Tracking involves moving the device's optical system in accordance with the eye movements of the subject being photographed. When tracking is performed, alignment and focus adjustments are carried out beforehand. Tracking is a function that maintains a suitable positional relationship of alignment and focus by making the position of the device's optical system follow the eye movements.

[0104] In manual alignment, the user operates the UI unit 110 to cancel out the displacement of the eye being photographed relative to the optical system, thereby moving the optical system and the eye E relative to the optical system. For example, the main control unit 101 controls the optical system movement mechanism by outputting control signals corresponding to the operation performed on the UI unit 110 to the first movement mechanism, the second movement mechanism, and the third movement mechanism, thereby moving the optical system relative to the eye E.

[0105] In the case of auto-alignment, the main control unit 101 controls the optical system movement mechanism so that the displacement of the eye being photographed relative to the optical system is canceled out, thereby moving the optical system relative to the eye E being photographed. For example, the ophthalmic device 1 includes two or more anterior segment cameras that photograph the anterior segment of the eye E being photographed from different directions. The main control unit 101 acquires the analysis results of two anterior segment images acquired by the two anterior segment cameras. Based on the acquired analysis results, the main control unit 101 determines the positional relationship between the two anterior segment cameras and the eye E being photographed, and based on the determined positional relationship, controls the optical system movement mechanism so that the positional relationship of the optical system relative to the eye E being photographed becomes a predetermined positional relationship.

[0106] Control of the image forming unit 200 includes image forming control, which forms an image of the eye E under examination from the light reception results obtained by the image sensor 24.

[0107] Control over the data processing unit 300 includes image processing control for the image formed by the image forming unit 200.

[0108] Control over the UI unit 110 includes control over the display device and control over the operation device (input device).

[0109] (Storage unit 102) The memory unit 102 stores various types of data. Examples of data stored in the memory unit 102 include light reception results obtained by the image sensor 24, image data of images formed by the image forming unit 200, processing results obtained by the data processing unit 300, and subject eye information. Subject eye information includes information about the subject, such as patient ID and name, and information about the subject eye, such as left / right eye identification information.

[0110] Furthermore, the memory unit 102 stores various programs and data necessary for operating the ophthalmic device 1.

[0111] (Image forming unit 200) The image forming unit 200 forms a light-receiving image based on the light-receiving result read from the image sensor 24 under control from the main control unit 101 (control unit 100). The image forming unit 200 sequentially forms light-receiving images corresponding to the (virtual) light-receiving area of ​​the image sensor 24, and from the multiple light-receiving images formed, it is possible to form a fundus image representing the morphology of the fundus Ef of the eye under examination E. Various images (image data) formed by the image forming unit 200 are stored, for example, in the storage unit 102.

[0112] For example, the image forming unit 200 includes a processor and performs processing according to a program stored in a memory unit or the like to realize the above functions.

[0113] (Data processing unit 300) The data processing unit 300 performs various image processing operations on the light reception results acquired from the image sensor 24. Image processing operations include noise reduction processing on the light reception results and brightness correction processing to make it easier to identify predetermined areas depicted in the light reception image based on the light reception results.

[0114] The data processing unit 300 includes a processor and performs processing according to a program stored in a memory unit or the like to realize the above functions.

[0115] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an example configuration of the data processing unit 300.

[0116] The data processing unit 300 includes an image correction unit 310. The image correction unit 310 performs black spot correction processing on the fundus image of the eye E formed by the image forming unit 200. Two black spots corresponding to illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb are depicted in the acquired fundus image of the eye E. The black spot correction processing is performed on at least one of the multiple black spots depicted in the fundus image of the eye E.

[0117] Black spot shadow correction processing is a process that corrects the tonal information (luminance information, luminance distribution) of the black spot shadow area depicted in the image, thereby making the black spot shadow less noticeable compared to the surrounding area, or even making the black spot shadow disappear altogether.

[0118] One example of black spot shadow correction processing is a process that corrects the tonal values ​​(luminance values, luminance distribution) within a black spot shadow area based on the tonal values ​​(brightness) surrounding the black spot shadow area depicted in the fundus image. For example, the tonal values ​​within a black spot shadow area are corrected based on statistical values ​​of the luminance distribution of the area surrounding the black spot shadow area. Examples of statistical values ​​include median, mean, maximum, minimum, and mode.

[0119] As a second example of black spot shadow correction processing, an optical simulation is performed using the optical conditions of the ophthalmic device 1. Based on the areas of black spots identified in the simulation image obtained in advance, the areas to be corrected and the amount of correction are determined. For example, the image correction unit 310 corrects the areas of black spots by changing the brightness of a predetermined area in the fundus image obtained by the image forming unit 200 by a predetermined amount, using the areas to be corrected and the amount of correction determined in advance.

[0120] In some embodiments, the image correction unit 310 identifies areas of black spots in the fundus image by analyzing the fundus image of the eye E under examination. For example, areas of black spots are identified based on changes in the grayscale value of the contour of the area of ​​black spots, or based on a known shape of the area of ​​black spots. The image correction unit 310 can then perform the black spot correction process described above on the identified areas.

[0121] The scanning optical system 10 is an example of the "first scanning optical system" or "illumination optical system" according to the embodiment. The descanning optical system 20 is an example of the "light receiving optical system" or "imaging optical system" according to the embodiment. The light source 11 and the slit aperture 12 are examples of the "light source unit" according to the embodiment. The branching mirror 22 is an example of the "deflection element" according to the embodiment.

[0122] <Example of operation> Next, an example of the operation of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0123] Figure 6 shows an example of operation of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the operation example of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment. The memory unit 102 stores a computer program for realizing the processing shown in Figure 6. The main control unit 101 executes the processing shown in Figure 6 by operating according to this computer program.

[0124] Prior to the process shown in Figure 6, the alignment of the optical system with respect to the eye E under examination is assumed to be complete, and the deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14 is set in the direction of a predetermined deflection start angle.

[0125] (S1: Obtain diopter) First, the main control unit 101 acquires the diopter (refractive index) of the eye E being examined. For example, the main control unit 101 acquires the diopter of the eye E being examined from an external ophthalmic measuring device or electronic medical record. Alternatively, the main control unit 101 acquires the diopter specified by the user using the UI unit 110.

[0126] (S2: Focus control) Next, the main control unit 101 controls the movement mechanisms 13D and 23D based on the diopter of the eye E being examined, which was acquired in step S1. Specifically, the main control unit 101 identifies the position of the relay lens 13 on the optical axis O and the position of the relay lens 23 on the optical axis of the descan optical system 20, which correspond to the diopter of the eye E being examined. The main control unit 101 controls the movement mechanisms 13D and 23D so that the relay lenses 13 and 23 move to the identified positions, respectively.

[0127] In some embodiments, the main control unit 101 moves the relay lens 13 in the direction of the optical axis O and moves the relay lens 23 in the direction of the optical axis of the descan optical system 20 by an amount and direction of movement corresponding to the diopter of the eye E being examined.

[0128] In some embodiments, the moving mechanisms 13D and 23D are configured to move the relay lenses 13 and 23 in conjunction with each other.

[0129] (S3: Turn on the light source) Next, the main control unit 101 turns on the light source 11, thereby illuminating the light source 11.

[0130] As a result, as described above, the scanning optical system 10 starts scanning a predetermined imaging area in the fundus Ef using a slit-shaped illumination light.

[0131] (S4: Obtain light reception results) The main control unit 101 controls the image sensor 24 and acquires the light reception results of pixels in the light-receiving area of ​​the imaging surface of the image sensor 24 that have received the reflected light of illumination from the illumination area of ​​the fundus Ef.

[0132] (S5: Next irradiation position?) The main control unit 101 determines whether there is an illumination position to be illuminated next with illumination light. The main control unit 101 can determine whether there is an illumination position to be illuminated next with illumination light by determining whether the illumination range of the sequentially moving illumination light covers the predetermined imaging range of the fundus Ef.

[0133] Next, when it is determined that there is an irradiation area to be illuminated with the illumination light (S5:Y), the operation of the ophthalmic device 1 proceeds to step S6. Next, when it is determined that there is no irradiation area to be illuminated with the illumination light (S5:N), the operation of the ophthalmic device 1 proceeds to step S7.

[0134] (S6: Change the deflection angle of the scanning mirror) In step S5, when it is determined that there is an illumination position to be illuminated by the illumination light next (S5:Y), the main control unit 101 controls the scanning mirror 14 to change the deflection angle of the deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14 by a predetermined angle.

[0135] Following step S6, the processing of the ophthalmic device 1 proceeds to step S4.

[0136] (S7: Forming an image) In step S5, if it is determined that there is no illumination position to be illuminated next with illumination light (S5:N), the main control unit 101 causes the image forming unit 200 to form a fundus image of the eye E under examination from the light reception results repeatedly acquired in steps S4 to S6 while changing the illumination range of the illumination light.

[0137] For example, the image forming unit 200 synthesizes multiple light-receiving results, each with a different illumination range, based on the order in which the illumination ranges move, for the number of times the processing in steps S4 to S6 is repeated. As a result, a fundus image for one frame of the fundus Ef of the eye under examination is formed.

[0138] In some embodiments, in step S6, illumination light is shone onto an illumination range that is set to have overlapping regions with adjacent illumination ranges. As a result, in step S7, a fundus image for one frame is formed by combining the light reception results so that the overlapping regions of each other overlap.

[0139] Figure 7A schematically shows the fundus image formed in step S7. In Figure 7A, the fundus image IMG0 formed in step S7 is assumed to be clipped to a circular shape, similar to fundus images acquired by conventional ophthalmic devices.

[0140] In the fundus image IMG0, black spots BS1 and BS2 are depicted corresponding to illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb, respectively. Here, black spot BS1 corresponds to illumination aperture 21Ba, and black spot BS2 corresponds to illumination aperture 21Bb.

[0141] The region of the black spot shadow BS1 formed in correspondence with illumination aperture 21Ba contains fundus information (grayscale information) based on the amount of light reflected from the illumination light that has passed through illumination aperture 21Bb other than illumination aperture 21Ba. The region of the black spot shadow BS2 formed in correspondence with illumination aperture 21Bb contains fundus information (grayscale information) based on the amount of light reflected from the illumination light that has passed through illumination aperture 21Ba other than illumination aperture 21Bb.

[0142] (S8: Corrects black spot shadows) Next, the main control unit 101 controls the image correction unit 310 to perform black spot shadow correction processing on the fundus image formed in step S7. The image correction unit 310 corrects the black spot shadows by changing the brightness of the black spot shadow areas BS1 and BS2 in the fundus image by a predetermined amount, based on the areas to be corrected and the amount of correction identified based on the simulation results performed in advance.

[0143] Figure 7B schematically shows the fundus image corrected in step S8. In Figure 7B, the fundus image IMG0 shown in Figure 7A has been processed to correct for black spot shadows.

[0144] The image correction unit 310 applies black spot shadow correction processing to the fundus image IMG0 as described above, thereby generating a fundus image IMG1 that includes regions BS1a and BS2a in which the brightness of the regions of black spot shadows BS1 and BS2 has been corrected.

[0145] This concludes the operation of ophthalmic device 1 (end).

[0146] In Figure 6, steps S1 to S3, which have no technical relation to steps S4 to S6, do not necessarily have to be executed. Similarly, steps S4 to S6 have no technical relation to steps S7 and S8. Therefore, even if steps S7 and S8 are executed, steps S4 to S6 do not have to be executed, and even if steps S4 to S6 are executed, steps S7 and S8 do not have to be executed.

[0147] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the fundus image obtained by illuminating the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination with illumination light that has passed through two illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb depicts two black spot shadows BS1 and BS2, corresponding to illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb, respectively. Each black spot shadow contains gradation information obtained by illumination with illumination light that has passed through the other illumination aperture excluding the corresponding illumination aperture. As a result, neither the black spot shadows BS1 nor BS2 are completely blacked out, and each black spot shadow region contains gradation information (intraocular information, fundus information) corresponding to the amount of illumination light that has passed through the remaining illumination aperture or the amount of reflected light that has passed through the remaining light receiving aperture. Thus, by performing black spot shadow correction processing on the fundus image in which the above-described black spot shadows are depicted, it becomes possible to obtain a fundus image that is effective for diagnosis without losing fundus information.

[0148] Therefore, even when performing micro-pupil imaging by shortening the gap between the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture in the pupillary conjugate plane, it is possible to obtain fundus images that are effective for diagnosing micro-pupil eyes.

[0149] <Second Embodiment> The configuration of the optical system of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to the optical system of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. For example, the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment may have another scanning optical system (second scanning optical system) different from the scanning optical system 10, placed between the split filter 21 (branching mirror 22) and the image sensor. In this case, the other scanning optical system different from the scanning optical system 10 is configured to deflect the reflected light of the descanned illumination light and move the light-receiving area of ​​the reflected light on the imaging surface of the image sensor (i.e., scan again). This makes it possible to acquire a fundus image of the eye under examination E without being affected by the deflection operation characteristics of the scanning mirror 14.

[0150] The following describes the ophthalmic device according to the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0151] Figure 8 shows an example of the optical system configuration of an ophthalmic apparatus according to the second embodiment. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figure 1, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0152] The first difference between the optical system configuration of the ophthalmic device 1a according to the second embodiment and the optical system configuration of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 is that an image sensor 24a is placed in place of the image sensor 24. The second difference is that a descan optical system 20a is placed in place of the descan optical system 20. The third difference is that a scan optical system 50a is placed between the image sensor 24a and the descan optical system 20a.

[0153] (Descan optics 20a) The descan optical system 20a includes a relay lens 40a, a deflection mirror 41a, a confocal aperture 42a, and a deflection mirror 43a.

[0154] The relay lens 40a transmits the reflected light of the descanned illumination light deflected by the branching mirror 22 and guides it to the deflection mirror 41a. The reflected light guided by the deflection mirror 41a is deflected towards the confocal aperture 42a.

[0155] The confocal aperture 42a is positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus. Specifically, the aperture formed in the confocal aperture 42a is positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus. This allows unwanted light to be removed while the optical path of the reflected light is fixed, making it possible to obtain a clearer fundus image. The reflected light that has passed through the aperture formed in the confocal aperture 42a is guided to the deflection mirror 43a.

[0156] (Scanning optics 50a) In Figure 8, the scanning operation of the reflected light in the scanning optical system 50a is performed by the scanning mirror 14, which enables the scanning operation of the illumination light in the scanning optical system 10.

[0157] For example, deflection surfaces (reflecting surfaces) are provided on both sides of the scanning mirror 14. The scanning mirror 14 deflects the illumination light and the reflected light of the illumination light guided through the objective lens 16 at the first deflection surface, which is the front surface. In addition, the scanning mirror 14 deflects the reflected light that has been deflected by the deflection mirror 43a (the reflected light that has passed through the light-receiving aperture formed in the split filter 21) at the second deflection surface on the back surface of the first deflection surface.

[0158] In some embodiments, the scanning operation of the reflected light in the scanning optical system 50a is performed by a different scanning mirror (optical scanner) than the scanning mirror 14. In this case, the deflection characteristics of the other scanning mirror are substantially the same as those of the scanning mirror 14, and the deflection operation of the other scanning mirror is configured to be synchronized with the deflection operation of the scanning mirror 14.

[0159] The scanning optical system 50a includes a relay lens 23a and an image sensor 24a. The scanning optical system 50a may also include a scanning mirror 14 that deflects reflected light with a second deflection plane.

[0160] (Relay lens 23a) The relay lens 23a transmits the reflected light deflected by the second deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14 and guides it to the image sensor 24 (imaging surface).

[0161] In some embodiments, the relay lens 23a, like the relay lens 23, is configured to move along the optical axis of the scan optical system 50a as a focusing lens. By moving the relay lens 23a along the optical axis of the scan optical system 50a, the image sensor 24a (imaging plane) can be positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus.

[0162] In some embodiments, the image sensor 24a is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction of the scanning optical system 50a.

[0163] (Image sensor 24a) The image sensor 24a (imaging surface, light-receiving surface, detection surface) can be positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus. The image sensor 24a realizes the function of a two-dimensional image sensor as a pixelated light-receiving device. Specifically, the imaging surface (detection surface, light-receiving surface) of the image sensor 24a can be positioned at or near the conjugate position of the fundus. The image sensor 24a can set a virtually movable light-receiving region (light-receiving region) at or near the conjugate position of the fundus.

[0164] For example, the light reception result from the image sensor 24a is captured and read out using a rolling shutter method. In some embodiments, the light reception result from the image sensor 24a is captured and read out using a global shutter method that allows the light-receiving area to be changed or moved. In some embodiments, the control unit according to the second embodiment controls the readout of the light reception result by controlling the image sensor 24a. In some embodiments, the image sensor 24a can automatically output light reception results for a predetermined line along with information indicating the light reception position.

[0165] Such an image sensor 24a includes, for example, a CMOS image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor 24a includes, for example, a CCD image sensor.

[0166] By capturing (reading out) the light reception results of the reflected light from the image sensor 24a using a rolling shutter method, an image is obtained in a light-receiving region corresponding to a desired virtual aperture shape extending in a predetermined direction. The image forming unit 200 forms a fundus image of the eye E under examination based on the light reception results of the image sensor 24a read out using the rolling shutter method.

[0167] In an ophthalmic device 1a having such a configuration, the light generated by the light source 11 uniformly illuminates the slit aperture 12. The light that passes through the slit 12A formed in the slit aperture 12 passes through the relay lens 13 as slit-shaped illumination light, passes through the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb formed in the split filter 21, and is deflected by the first deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14. The illumination light deflected by the first deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14 passes through the relay lens 15, passes through the objective lens 16, and is irradiated onto the fundus Ef through the pupil Eu.

[0168] The reflected light from the illuminating light from the fundus Ef exits the eye through the pupil Eu, passes through the objective lens 16, passes through the relay lens 15, and is descanned by the first deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14. The reflected light descanned by the first deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14 passes through the light-receiving aperture 21A formed in the split filter 21 and is deflected toward the descan optical system 20a by the branch mirror 22. The reflected light deflected by the branch mirror 22 passes through the relay lens 40a, is deflected by the deflection mirror 41a, passes through the aperture formed in the confocal aperture 42a, and is deflected toward the second deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14 by the deflection mirror 43a. The reflected light deflected by the deflection mirror 43a is deflected by the second deflection surface of the scanning mirror 14, passes through the relay lens 23a, and is imaged onto the imaging surface of the image sensor 24a.

[0169] The configuration of the processing system of the ophthalmic device 1a according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the processing system of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0170] The first difference between the control of the control unit 100 (main control unit 101) according to the second embodiment and the control of the control unit 100 according to the first embodiment is that the object of control of the moving mechanism 23D has been changed from the relay lens 23 to the relay lens 23a. The second difference is that control is performed on the image sensor 24a instead of the image sensor 24.

[0171] Control of the image sensor 24a includes setting the light-receiving area on the imaging surface and controlling the reading of the light-receiving result using a rolling shutter method (for example, setting the light-receiving size corresponding to the size of the illumination pattern). In addition, control of the image sensor 24a includes reset control, exposure control, charge transfer control, output control, etc.

[0172] The operation of the ophthalmic device 1a according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of the ophthalmic device 1 according to the first embodiment, so a description will be omitted.

[0173] As described above, according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, two black spot shadows BS1 and BS2 corresponding to illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb are depicted in the fundus image. Each black spot shadow contains gradation information obtained by illumination with illumination light that has passed through the other illumination aperture excluding the corresponding illumination aperture. As a result, neither the black spot shadows BS1 nor BS2 are completely blacked out, and each black spot shadow region contains gradation information (intraocular information, fundus information) corresponding to the amount of illumination light that has passed through the remaining illumination aperture or the amount of reflected light that has passed through the remaining light receiving aperture. Thus, by performing black spot shadow correction processing on the fundus image in which the above-described black spot shadows are depicted, it becomes possible to obtain a fundus image that is effective for diagnosis without losing fundus information.

[0174] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, even when performing micro-pupil imaging by shortening the gap, which is the distance between the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture on the pupillary conjugate plane, it is possible to obtain fundus images that are effective for diagnosing micro-pupil eyes.

[0175] <Variation> The configuration of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to the configuration of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

[0176] [First variation] As described above, the shapes of the illumination openings 21Ba and 21Bb formed in the divided filter 21 according to the embodiment are not limited to the rectangles described in the first or second embodiment, but may be any shape.

[0177] Figure 9 shows an explanatory diagram of the segmented filter 21 according to the first embodiment or the first modified example of the second embodiment. Similar to Figure 3, Figure 9 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the segmented filter 21 as viewed from the direction of the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10.

[0178] Each of the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb formed in the divided filter 21 according to this modified example is a part of a ring-shaped aperture centered at a position corresponding to the optical axis O. That is, each of the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb is a part of a ring-shaped aperture having a predetermined width in the radial direction centered at a position corresponding to the optical axis O. Furthermore, the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb are formed at positions that are point-symmetric with respect to the position corresponding to the optical axis O.

[0179] In this modified example, the segmented filter 21 has a light-receiving aperture 21A formed in the central region including the position corresponding to the optical axis O. The circumferential ends of the illumination apertures 21Ba and 21Bb are cut out so that the gap GP has a predetermined gap length.

[0180] In some embodiments, at least one of the illumination apertures 21Ba, 21Bb is formed in the shape of an arc, a curve, a bow (a shape formed by a part of an arc and a chord connecting both ends of it), or a polygon formed by three or more line segments.

[0181] [Second variation] As described above, the illumination openings formed in the divided filter 21 according to the embodiment are not limited to illumination openings 21Ba and 21Bb as described in the first or second embodiment, but may be three or more.

[0182] Figure 10 shows an explanatory diagram of the segmented filter 21 according to the second modification of the first or second embodiment. Similar to Figure 3, Figure 10 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the segmented filter 21 as viewed from the direction of the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10.

[0183] In this modified example, the segmented filter 21 has a single light-receiving aperture formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis O, and three illumination apertures 21Ba, 21Bb, and 21Bc formed in a peripheral region eccentric to the optical axis O.

[0184] Each of the illumination apertures 21Ba, 21Bb, and 21Bc is formed with a distance of gap GP between it and the light-receiving aperture 21A.

[0185] In this modified example, at least one of the illumination openings 21Ba, 21Bb, and 21Bc may be the shape described in the first modified example.

[0186] [Third variation] In the first or second embodiment, a case was described in which the segmented filter 21 has two or more illumination apertures and a single light-receiving aperture, but the segmented filter 21 according to the embodiment is not limited thereto. In the segmented filter 21 according to the embodiment, a single illumination aperture may be formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis O, and two or more light-receiving apertures may be formed in a peripheral region eccentric from the optical axis O.

[0187] Figure 11 shows an explanatory diagram of a segmented filter 21 according to a third modified example of the first or second embodiment. Similar to Figure 3, Figure 11 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the segmented filter 21 as viewed from the direction of the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10.

[0188] In this modified example, the segmented filter 21 has a single illumination aperture 21B formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis O, and two light-receiving apertures 21Aa and 21Ab formed in peripheral regions eccentric to the optical axis O.

[0189] The illumination aperture 21B is formed in the central region, which includes a position corresponding to the optical axis O as the optical axis of the illumination light. The two light-receiving apertures 21Aa and 21Ab are formed in the peripheral region, eccentric to the optical axis O. The illumination aperture 21B and the light-receiving apertures 21Aa (21Ab) are formed with a distance of gap GP between them.

[0190] In Figure 11, the shape of the illumination aperture 21B is circular or elliptical, but the configuration according to the embodiment is not limited to the shape of the illumination aperture 21B. Similarly, the shapes of the light-receiving apertures 21Aa and 21Ab are rectangular (rectangular, square), but the configuration according to the embodiment is not limited to the shapes of the light-receiving apertures 21Aa and 21Ab. Furthermore, the shapes of two or more light-receiving apertures, including light-receiving apertures 21Aa and 21Ab, may be different from each other.

[0191] In this modified example, each of the one or more black dot plates 30 is positioned at or near a position where illumination light is reflected by the objective lens 16 with a single illumination aperture 21B as the object point, thereby forming an image in the scanning optical system 10.

[0192] The scan optical system 10 is configured to irradiate the segmented filter 21 with slit-shaped illumination light so that it passes through the illumination aperture 21B formed in the segmented filter 21. The descan optical system 20 (20a) is configured, by means of a branching mirror 22 or the like, to guide the reflected light of the illumination light that has passed through the light-receiving apertures 21Aa and 21Ab formed in the segmented filter 21.

[0193] [Fourth variation] In the first or second embodiment, the shape of the slit 12A formed in the slit aperture 12 was described as rectangular, but the configuration according to the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0194] Figure 12 shows an explanatory diagram of the slit aperture 12 according to the first or second embodiment. Similar to Figure 2, Figure 12 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the slit aperture 12 as viewed from the direction of the optical axis O of the scan optical system 10.

[0195] The slit 12A formed in the slit aperture 12 according to this modified example has a shape in which the width in the short direction (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) passing through the optical axis O is shorter than the width in the short direction at the end in the slit direction. For example, the width in the short direction of the slit 12A is formed to be the same or increases from the optical axis O toward the end in the slit direction.

[0196] According to this modified example, the amount of illumination light that passes through the end of the slit 12A away from the optical axis O and irradiates the fundus Ef can be increased, and the unevenness of the illumination area of ​​the illumination light irradiated onto the fundus Ef can be reduced.

[0197] The configuration relating to any one of the first to fourth variations described above can be applied to the configuration relating to the remaining variations of the first to fourth variations.

[0198] [Effect] An ophthalmic device according to an embodiment will be described.

[0199] A first aspect of the embodiment is an ophthalmic device (1, 1a) including a first scan optical system (scan optical system 10), a segmented filter (21), a descan optical system (20), and one or more black dot plates (30). The first scan optical system includes an objective lens (16) and a scanning mirror (14) positioned at a location substantially conjugate to the pupil (Eu) of the eye under examination (E). The first scan optical system is configured to deflect slit-shaped illumination light from a light source using the scanning mirror and guide it to the eye under examination via the objective lens. The segmented filter is positioned at a location substantially conjugate to the pupil between the light source and the scanning mirror, and has two or more illumination apertures (21Ba, 21Bb) and a single light-receiving aperture (21A), or a single illumination aperture (21B) and two or more light-receiving apertures (21Aa, 21Ab). The descan optical system is configured to guide the reflected light from the illuminating light from the eye under examination, which has been guided through the objective lens and scanning mirror and passed through the light-receiving aperture, to an image sensor (24, 24a) positioned at a location in the eye under examination that is optically approximately conjugate to the imaging area. One or more black dot plates are positioned in the optical path between the objective lens and the scanning mirror at a location where the illuminating light is reflected by the objective lens and an image is formed in the first scan optical system.

[0200] In this configuration, the image of the area of ​​the eye being examined obtained by the image sensor will show two or more black spots corresponding to two or more illumination apertures or two or more light-receiving apertures. Each of the two or more black spots contains intraocular information (grayscale information) obtained by illumination with light that has passed through the remaining illumination apertures excluding the corresponding illumination aperture, or intraocular information obtained by the reflected light that has passed through the remaining light-receiving apertures excluding the corresponding light-receiving aperture. As a result, each of the two or more black spots is not completely blacked out, and the area of ​​each black spot contains intraocular information corresponding to the amount of light from the illumination light that has passed through the remaining illumination apertures or the reflected light that has passed through the remaining light-receiving apertures.

[0201] Therefore, even if the eye being examined has a small pupil and requires a short gap between the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture, it is possible to acquire an image containing intraocular information of the eye being examined without completely losing intraocular information, making it possible to perform an appropriate diagnosis for images of eyes with small pupils.

[0202] In a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, one or more black dot plates are positioned so that illumination light is reflected by the objective lens with two or more illumination apertures or a single illumination aperture as object points, thereby forming an image in the first scan optical system.

[0203] This configuration makes it possible to efficiently remove only the artifacts generated by the illumination light divided into pupils by the splitting filter, while acquiring an image that includes intraocular information of the eye being examined without completely losing intraocular information.

[0204] In a third embodiment, in the first embodiment, the light source unit includes a light source (11) and a slit aperture (12) having a slit-shaped opening (slit 12A) that can be positioned at a location substantially conjugate to the imaging area optically. The light source unit emits slit-shaped illumination light by irradiating the slit aperture with light from the light source.

[0205] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ophthalmic device that illuminates the inside of the eye under examination with slit-shaped illumination light generated by a simple configuration using a slit aperture, and acquires an image including intraocular information of the eye under examination without completely losing intraocular information.

[0206] In a fourth aspect of the embodiment, in the first embodiment, the split filter has a single light-receiving aperture (21A) formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis (O) of the illumination light, and two or more illumination apertures (21Ba, 21Bb) formed in a peripheral region eccentric from the optical axis.

[0207] According to this embodiment, with a simple configuration, the illumination beam and the receiving beam can be completely separated in the pupillary conjugate plane, and an image of the eye in which two or more black spots are depicted can be obtained without any loss of intraocular information.

[0208] In a fifth aspect of the embodiment, in the first embodiment, the split filter has a single illumination aperture (21B) formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis (O) of the illumination light, and two or more light-receiving apertures (21Aa, 21Ab) formed in a peripheral region eccentric from the optical axis.

[0209] According to this embodiment, with a simple configuration, the illumination beam and the receiving beam can be completely separated in the pupillary conjugate plane, and an image of the eye in which two or more black spots are depicted can be obtained without any loss of intraocular information.

[0210] In the sixth embodiment, in the first embodiment, the imaging site is the fundus (Ef).

[0211] In this configuration, even if the eye being examined has a small pupil and requires a short gap between the illumination aperture and the light-receiving aperture, a fundus image of the eye can be obtained without completely losing fundus information as intraocular information. Therefore, it becomes possible to make an appropriate diagnosis based on images of eyes with small pupils.

[0212] In the seventh embodiment, in any of the first to sixth embodiments, one or more black dot plates are positioned at at least one of the following locations: a position where illumination light is reflected from the front surface of the objective lens to form an image in the first scan optical system, and a position where illumination light is reflected from the rear surface of the objective lens to form an image in the first scan optical system.

[0213] According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to efficiently remove artifacts caused by at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the objective lens, while acquiring an image that includes intraocular information of the eye being examined without completely losing intraocular information.

[0214] In the eighth embodiment, in any of the first to sixth embodiments, the objective lens includes one or more cemented lenses formed by bonding two or more lenses together. One or more black dot plates are positioned so as to be imaged in the first scan optical system by the reflection of illumination light from one or more cemented surfaces of the one or more cemented lenses.

[0215] This embodiment makes it possible to efficiently remove artifacts caused by one or more bonding surfaces of the objective lens while acquiring an image that includes intraocular information of the eye being examined without completely losing intraocular information.

[0216] A ninth aspect of the embodiment includes a deflection element (branch mirror 22) positioned in any of the first to sixth aspects, which is optically conjugate to the pupil and deflects the reflected light that has passed through the light-receiving aperture toward the descan optical system.

[0217] In this configuration, the reflected light that has passed through two or more light-receiving apertures or a single light-receiving aperture is deflected toward the descan optical system, thereby preventing light loss of the reflected light and enabling reception of the reflected light with sufficient light intensity.

[0218] A tenth embodiment of the embodiment is that, in any of the first to sixth embodiments, the descan optical system includes a confocal aperture (42a) positioned at a location substantially conjugate to the imaging area.

[0219] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to remove unwanted light from the imaging area, etc., in the descanning optical system, making it possible to obtain a clearer image of the eye under examination.

[0220] An eleventh embodiment of the embodiment includes, in any of the first to sixth embodiments, a second scan optical system (scan optical system 50a) positioned between the segment filter and the image sensor and configured to deflect the reflected light and move the light-receiving area of ​​the reflected light on the imaging surface of the image sensor.

[0221] In this embodiment, since the reflected light is deflected via the descan optical system to move the light-receiving area of ​​the reflected light on the imaging surface of the image sensor, the light-receiving result of the reflected light can be obtained without being affected by the deflection operation characteristics of the scanning mirror.

[0222] In a twelfth aspect of the embodiment, as in the eleventh embodiment, the scanning mirror deflects the illumination light and the reflected illumination light guided through the objective lens at a first deflection surface. The second scanning optical system is configured to deflect the reflected light that has passed through the light-receiving aperture at a second deflection surface on the back surface of the first deflection surface of the scanning mirror.

[0223] According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to acquire the reception result of the reflected light with a simple configuration, without being affected by the deflection operation characteristics of the scanning mirror.

[0224] A thirteenth aspect of the embodiment includes an image forming unit (200) that forms an image of the eye under examination based on the light reception results of an image sensor read out in a rolling shutter manner, as in the eleventh embodiment.

[0225] According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to form a clear image of the eye under examination while eliminating unwanted light, without being affected by the deflection characteristics of the scanning mirror.

[0226] A fourteenth embodiment includes an image correction unit (310) that corrects black spot shadows depicted in an image by applying brightness correction to an image of the eye under examination acquired based on the light reception result of the image sensor, in any of the first to sixth embodiments.

[0227] In this configuration, by correcting for two or more black spots depicted in the image of the eye under examination, it is possible to avoid a complete loss of intraocular information, and even if the eye under examination has a small pupil, it becomes possible to make an appropriate diagnosis based on the image of the small pupil.

[0228] In the 15th embodiment, in the 14th embodiment, the image correction unit applies brightness correction to at least one of the two or more black spot shadows depicted in the image.

[0229] This configuration avoids the complete loss of intraocular information and makes it possible to perform an appropriate diagnosis based on images of eyes with small pupils, even if the eye being examined has a small pupil.

[0230] In the sixteenth embodiment, as in the fifteenth embodiment, the image correction unit corrects black spot shadows by changing the brightness of a predetermined area in the image by a predetermined amount.

[0231] In this configuration, by using the results of simulations performed in advance, it becomes possible to correct the black spot shadows depicted in the image of the eye being examined with simple processing.

[0232] <Other> The embodiments described above are merely examples of how to carry out this invention. Anyone intending to carry out this invention may make any modifications, omissions, additions, etc., within the scope of the gist of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0233] 1, 1a Ophthalmological equipment 10, 50a scan optics 11 Light source 12 Slit Drawstring 13, 15, 23, 23a, 40a relay lens 14 Scanning mirrors 16 Objective lenses 20, 20a Descan Optics 21-part filter 22 Branching mirror 24, 24a Image sensor 30 Black Dot Plates 41a, 43a Deflection mirrors 42a Confocal aperture 100 Control Unit 101 Main Control Unit 102 Storage section 200 Image forming unit 300 Data Processing Unit 310 Image Correction Unit E. Eye being examined Ef fundus Eu pupil P fundus conjugate position Q: Conjugate position of the pupil

Claims

1. A first scanning optical system includes an objective lens and a scanning mirror positioned approximately conjugate to the pupil of the eye under examination, and is configured to deflect slit-shaped illumination light from a light source using the scanning mirror and guide it to the eye under examination via the objective lens. A segmented filter is positioned between the light source and the scanning mirror at a position optically substantially conjugate to the pupil, and having two or more illumination apertures and a single light-receiving aperture, or a single illumination aperture and two or more light-receiving apertures. A descan optical system configured to guide the reflected light of the illumination light from the eye under examination, which has been guided through the objective lens and the scanning mirror and passed through the light-receiving aperture, to an image sensor positioned in the eye under examination at a location that is substantially conjugate to the imaging area, One or more black dot plates are positioned in the optical path between the objective lens and the scanning mirror, such that the illumination light is reflected by the objective lens and an image is formed in the first scanning optical system. Ophthalmic devices, including those mentioned above.

2. The one or more black dot plates are positioned so that the illumination light is reflected by the objective lens with the two or more illumination apertures or the single illumination aperture as object points, thereby forming an image in the first scanning optical system. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned light source unit is Light source and A slit aperture is formed in which a slit-shaped opening can be positioned at a location that is substantially conjugate to the imaging area, The system includes emitting slit-shaped illumination light by irradiating the slit aperture with light from the light source. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

4. The divided filter has a single light-receiving aperture formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis of the illumination light, and two or more illumination apertures formed in a peripheral region eccentric to the optical axis. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

5. The divided filter has a single illumination aperture formed in a central region including a position corresponding to the optical axis of the illumination light, and two or more light-receiving apertures formed in a peripheral region eccentric to the optical axis. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

6. The area being photographed is the fundus of the eye. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

7. The one or more black dot plates are positioned at at least one of the following locations: a position where the illumination light is reflected from the front surface of the objective lens and an image is formed in the first scanning optical system; and a position where the illumination light is reflected from the rear surface of the objective lens and an image is formed in the first scanning optical system. An ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

8. The objective lens includes one or more cemented lenses formed by bonding two or more lenses together. The one or more black dot plates are positioned so that the illumination light is reflected by one or more bonding surfaces of the one or more bonded lenses, thereby forming an image in the first scanning optical system. An ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

9. The system includes a deflection element positioned at a location substantially conjugate to the pupil, which deflects the reflected light that has passed through the light-receiving aperture toward the descan optical system. An ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

10. The descanning optical system includes a confocal aperture positioned at a location substantially conjugate to the imaging area. An ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

11. Includes a second scan optical system positioned between the split filter and the image sensor, configured to deflect the reflected light and move the light-receiving area of ​​the reflected light on the imaging surface of the image sensor. An ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

12. The scanning mirror deflects the illumination light and the reflected light of the illumination light guided through the objective lens on the first deflection surface. The second scanning optical system is configured such that the second deflection surface on the back surface of the first deflection surface of the scanning mirror deflects the reflected light that has passed through the light-receiving aperture. The ophthalmic device according to feature 11.

13. Includes an image forming unit that forms an image of the eye under examination based on the light reception results of the image sensor read out using a rolling shutter method. The ophthalmic device according to feature 11.

14. The image correction unit includes a unit that corrects black spots depicted in the image by applying brightness correction to the image of the eye under examination acquired based on the light reception results of the image sensor. An ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

15. The image correction unit applies the brightness correction to at least one of the two or more black spot shadows depicted in the image. The ophthalmic device according to feature 14.

16. The image correction unit corrects the black spot shadows by changing the brightness of a predetermined area in the image by a predetermined amount. The ophthalmic device according to feature 15.

Images