Multi-detector analysis of ocular tear films.

Abstract

In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic system for evaluating a tear film of an eye includes a measurement device and a computer. The measurement device detects light reflected from an eye, where the ocular surface of the eye includes a tear film, and generates data describing the eye from the reflected light. The computer aligns data corresponding to the same location for multiple locations, evaluates the data at the locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film, and determines a tear film description from the evaluation of the data at the locations.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ophthalmic diagnostic systems, and more particularly to multi-detector analysis of the eye's tear film. [Background technology]

[0002] The tear film on the front of the eye's cornea is essential to overall ocular health. It protects and lubricates the eye and washes away foreign bodies. This tear film also reduces the risk of eye infection. Furthermore, the condition of the tear film can affect certain medical procedures, for example, potentially changing the choice of intraocular lens (IOL) used during cataract treatment. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the tear film.

[0003] Certain devices can be used to perform basic screening of the tear film. For example, a user can evaluate an image of the Placido ring reflected from the cornea. However, such screening is usually limited. Other devices may be dedicated to evaluating the tear film. However, these dedicated devices can be time-consuming or difficult to use and may require more invasive procedures, such as staining the ocular surface prior to imaging. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic system for evaluating a tear film of an eye includes a measurement device and a computer. The measurement device detects light reflected from an eye, where the ocular surface of the eye includes a tear film, and generates data describing the eye from the reflected light. The computer aligns data corresponding to the same location for multiple locations, evaluates the data at the locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film, and determines a tear film description from the evaluation of the data at the locations.

[0005] Embodiments may include none, one, some, or all of the following features.

[0006] * The computer evaluates the data at that location by identifying locations where the data exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio than other locations and detecting abnormalities, including inhomogeneity of the tear film, at that location.

[0007] * The computer evaluates the data at that location by identifying locations where the data exhibits changes in signal-to-noise ratio and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, at that location.

[0008] * The measurement device includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that directs OCT light toward the eye, detects OCT light reflected from the eye, and generates OCT data describing the eye from the reflected OCT light. The computer can evaluate the data by identifying locations in the data where OCT data is missing and detecting abnormalities, including tear film inhomogeneity, at those locations. The computer can evaluate the data by determining the anterior corneal surface from the OCT data, determining residuals between the anterior corneal surface and the OCT data, and detecting abnormalities, including tear film inhomogeneity, according to the residuals. The computer can evaluate the data by identifying locations where the point distribution of the OCT data changes and detecting abnormalities, including tear film inhomogeneity, at those locations.

[0009] The measurement device includes an aberrometer that directs aberrometer light toward the eye, detects aberrometer light reflected from the eye, and generates aberrometer data describing the eye from the reflected aberrometer light. The computer can evaluate the data by determining a wavefront parameterization from the aberrometer data, determining a residual between the wavefront parameterization and the aberrometer data, and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, according to the residual. The computer can evaluate the data by identifying locations where the wavefront signal of the aberrometer data exhibits changes and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, at those locations.

[0010] * The measurement device includes a reflection topographer that directs a topographer light including an illumination pattern toward the eye, detects the topographer light reflected from the eye, and generates topographer data describing the eye from the reflected topographer light. The computer can evaluate the data by identifying locations in the data where topographer data is missing and detecting abnormalities, including tear film inhomogeneity, at those locations. The computer can evaluate the data by determining an anterior corneal surface from the topographer data, determining a residual between the anterior corneal surface and the topographer data, and detecting abnormalities, including tear film inhomogeneity, according to the residual. The computer can evaluate the data by identifying locations where the illumination pattern shows a change and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, at those locations.

[0011] The computer generates an image representing the tear film description and outputs the image via a display, the image representing the ocular surface of the eye with graphic elements indicating tear film abnormalities at the ocular surface location.

[0012] In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic system for evaluating an eye's tear film includes a measurement device and a computer. The measurement device detects light reflected from the eye, where the ocular surface of the eye includes a tear film, and generates data describing the eye from the reflected light. The computer aligns data corresponding to the same location for multiple locations, evaluates the data at the locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film, and determines a tear film description from the evaluation of the data at the locations. The computer generates an image representing the tear film description and outputs the image via a display. The image represents the ocular surface of the eye with graphic elements indicating the tear film abnormalities at the ocular surface locations.

[0013] Embodiments may include none, one, some, or all of the following features.

[0014] The image identifies one type of anomaly among one or more anomalies.

[0015] The image identifies one or more measurement devices that generated the data used to detect one of the one or more anomalies.

[0016] In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic system for evaluating an eye's tear film includes a measurement device and a computer. The measurement device detects light reflected from the eye, where the ocular surface of the eye includes a tear film, and generates data describing the eye from the reflected light. The measurement device includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, an aberrometer, and a reflection topographer. The OCT device directs OCT light toward the eye, detects OCT light reflected from the eye, and generates OCT data describing the eye from the reflected OCT light. The aberrometer directs aberrometer light toward the eye, detects the aberrometer light reflected from the eye, and generates aberrometer data describing the eye from the reflected aberrometer light. The reflection topographer directs topographer light including an illumination pattern toward the eye, detects the topographer light reflected from the eye, and generates topographer data describing the eye from the reflected topographer light. The computer aligns data corresponding to the same position for multiple locations and evaluates the data at the locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film.The computer identifies a location where the data shows a lower signal-to-noise ratio than other locations and detects abnormalities including tear film instability at that location; identifies a location where the data shows a change in signal-to-noise ratio and detects abnormalities including tear film instability at that location; identifies a location where the OCT data is missing data and detects abnormalities including tear film instability at that location; determines the anterior corneal surface from the OCT data; determines residuals of the anterior corneal surface and the OCT data and detects abnormalities including tear film instability according to the residuals; identifies a location where the point distribution of the OCT data changes and detects abnormalities including tear film instability at that location; and calculates wavefront parameters from the aberrometer data. The data is evaluated by: determining a position of the wavefront parameterization and aberrometer data; determining residuals of the wavefront parameterization and the aberrometer data; and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, according to the residuals; identifying locations where the wavefront signal of the aberrometer data exhibits changes and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, at the locations; identifying locations where the topographer data is missing and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, at the locations; determining an anterior corneal surface from the topographer data; determining residuals of the anterior corneal surface and the topographer data and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, according to the residuals; and identifying locations where the illumination pattern exhibits changes and detecting abnormalities, including tear film instability, at the locations. The computer determines a tear film description from the evaluation of the data at the locations. The computer generates an image representing the tear film description and outputs the image via a display. The image represents the ocular surface of the eye with graphic elements indicating tear film abnormalities at the ocular surface locations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for assessing an eye's tear film, according to certain embodiments. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A shows an example of the system of FIG. 1 generating an image of a tear film description. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows an example of the system of FIG. 1 generating an image of a tear film description. [Figure 2C]FIG. 2C illustrates an example of the system of FIG. 1 generating an image of a tear film description. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method for assessing an eye's tear film that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]

[0013] Referring now to the description and drawings, exemplary embodiments of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods are shown in detail. The description and drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings and disclosed in the description. While the drawings represent possible embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be simplified, exaggerated, omitted, or partially separated to better illustrate the embodiments.

[0019] An embodiment of the system includes multiple measurement devices, such as an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, a reflectance topographer, and an aberrometer. The measurement devices measure the ocular surface of the eye, which is the interface between the functioning eye and the external environment, including the tear film. This data is analyzed to provide an assessment of the tear film.

[0020] 1 illustrates an example of a system 10 for assessing the tear film of an eye 12, according to certain embodiments. In this example, system 10 includes a computer 20 (including logic 22, memory 24, and interface 26), a measurement device 28, and an optical system 36, coupled as shown. Measurement device 28 includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device 30, an aberrometer 32, and a topographer 34, coupled as shown.

[0021] As an example overview, measurement device 28 detects light reflected from eye 12 and generates data describing eye 12 from the reflected light. Computer 20 aligns the data corresponding to the same location on the ocular surface and evaluates the data at that location. Computer 20 determines a description of the tear film from the evaluation.

[0022] Turning to parts of system 10, measurement device 28 includes OCT device 30, aberrometer 32, and topographer 34. OCT device 30 can be any suitable device that uses OCT to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional images from within a light-scattering medium, such as ocular tissue. OCT device 30 can use time-domain, frequency-domain, or other suitable spectral encoding, and can use single-point scanning, parallel scanning, or other suitable scanning.

[0023] According to an example of operation, the OCT device 30 directs OCT light toward the eye 12 and detects the OCT light reflected from portions of the eye 12 to generate an image of the portion. The OCT device 30 detects reflections from points at interfaces between media, such as between air and the eye 12 or between portions of the eye 12 (e.g., the cornea, aqueous humor, lens, vitreous humor, and retina). For example, the OCT device 30 detects reflections from points on the anterior surface of the cornea. The OCT device 30 records the optical path length of the detected light and converts the length to a distance to generate a distance to the interface point, which can be considered a point distribution of the interface. For example, the OCT device 30 can provide a point distribution of the anterior surface of the cornea that describes the shape of the surface. The point distributions of different interfaces of the eye 12 can be used to create an eye model. The OCT device 30 can output the OCT measurement data in any suitable manner, for example, as a distance, a point distribution, a topology, an eye model, and / or a map.

[0024] The aberrometer 32 determines the aberrations of the eye 12 using aberrometry (i.e., wavefront technology). As a wavefront of light travels through the eye 12 and is reflected back through the eye 12, the aberrations of the eye 12 distort the shape of the wavefront from its ideal shape. A Hartmann-Shack aberrometer is an example of an aberrometer 32. According to one example of operation, the aberrometer 32 measures the shape of the wavefront by directing aberrometer light toward the eye 12 and detecting the aberrometer light reflected from the eye 12. The aberrometer 32 generates measurement data that describes the deviation of the measured wavefront from the ideal wavefront. The aberrometer measurement data may be in the form of a wavefront map, a wavefront parameterization (e.g., Zernike parameterization), and / or a mathematical function (e.g., Zernike polynomials). Typically, the aberrometer 32 provides measurements of only the pupil region.

[0025] The reflection topographer 34 measures the shape of the anterior corneal surface of the eye 12 by detecting how the surface reflects an illumination pattern (e.g., a grid of concentric rings or dots) projected onto its surface. If the surface is ideally spherical, the reflected pattern will match the projected pattern. If the surface is aberrated, areas where the reflected portions of the pattern are closer together may indicate greater corneal curvature, while areas where the portions are farther apart may indicate flatter areas. The reflection topographer 34 typically includes an illumination system that projects the illumination pattern and a sensor (e.g., a camera) that detects the reflected light. According to one example of operation, the reflection topographer 34 directs topographer light containing the illumination pattern toward the eye 12 and detects the topographer light reflected from the eye 12. The topographer 34 can output topographer measurement data, such as a map of the surface, e.g., an axial, tangential, power, or elevation map.

[0026] The measurement devices 28 can take measurements sequentially and / or simultaneously. Measurements from different devices 28 are aligned according to location (e.g., measurement data corresponding to the same location on the eye 12 are identified and evaluated) to determine what the different devices 28 measured at the same location. In certain embodiments, the data can be aligned using a feature of the eye 12, such as a marking on the pupil or iris. In other embodiments, the measurement devices 28 can take measurements along the same optical path so that the eye 12 is in the same alignment for the measurements.

[0027] The optical system 36 includes one or more optical elements that direct light from the measurement device 28 toward the eye 12. The optical elements may act on (e.g., transmit, reflect, refract, diffract, collimate, condition, shape, focus, modulate, and / or otherwise act on) the laser beam. Examples of optical elements include lenses, prisms, mirrors, diffractive optical elements (DOEs), holographic optical elements (HOEs), and spatial light modulators (SLMs).

[0028] The computer 20 controls the operation of the system 10 to evaluate the tear film of the eye 12. To evaluate the tear film, the computer 20 receives measurement data from the measurement device 28 and aligns data corresponding to the same location for multiple locations on the ocular surface. The computer 20 then evaluates the data to determine a tear film description. The data may be indicative of tear film abnormalities. Types of abnormalities include, for example, tear film inhomogeneity or instability. Tear film inhomogeneity can be a deviation from a normal tear film, such as an area where the tear film is absent or abnormally thin, or an area where the tear film has an abnormal chemical composition. Tear film instability can be a change in the tear film, such as an area where the tear film changes from normal to abnormal.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the computer 20 evaluates the measurement data according to a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the data. The measurement device 28 typically includes an illumination source and a sensor (e.g., a camera). The illumination source directs light toward a location on the eye (e.g., the ocular surface). The sensor detects reflected light from the eye, generates a signal in response to the detected light, and outputs measurement data based on the signal. The signal-to-noise ratio of data from a location is the ratio of the measured signal to the total noise measured at that location. A higher signal-to-noise ratio typically indicates higher quality data. Locations with a low or reduced signal-to-noise ratio may indicate problems with the tear film, such as tear film loss.

[0030] In embodiments, computer 20 can evaluate the data by identifying locations where the data exhibit a decreased signal-to-noise ratio and determining that the tear film has inhomogeneity at that location. The decrease can be in the range of, for example, 10-20 percent, 20-30 percent, or more than 30 percent. In embodiments, computer 20 can evaluate the data by identifying locations where the data exhibit a change in signal-to-noise ratio and determining that the tear film has instability at that location. The change can be in the range of, for example, 10-20 percent, 20-30 percent, or more than 30 percent.

[0031] In certain embodiments, computer 20 evaluates the measurement data according to the presence or absence of data. Missing data at a location may indicate a non-uniformity at that location. In certain embodiments, computer 20 evaluates the measurement data according to whether there is a change in the signal generated in response to detecting light propagating through and refracted by a particular region of the cornea, e.g., a wavefront signal generated by aberrometer 32. This change may indicate instability at that location. The change may range from 10 to 20 percent, 20 to 30 percent, or more than 30 percent, for example.

[0032] In certain embodiments, computer 20 evaluates the measurement data by comparing data from measurement device 28 with other measurements made by a different measurement device 28 in system 10 or a measurement device 28 external to system 10. For example, OCT data may be compared to topographer data or data produced by a measurement device external to system 10.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the computer 20 evaluates the measurement data from the residuals of the parameterization of the data. In embodiments, the computer 20 can determine a mathematical function describing a portion of the eye 12 by finding the parameters of the function that best fit the measurement data. For example, the computer 20 can determine the shape of the anterior corneal surface from the parameterization of the OCT data and / or the topographer data. As another example, the computer 20 can determine a wavefront parameterization from the aberrometer data. The computer 20 can then determine a residual that describes the difference between the parameterization and the measurement data. If any unexpected signatures remain, they may indicate an abnormality in the tear film. For example, unexpected features in the residuals of a sixth-order Zernike wavefront parameterization indicate small-scale structures that normally occur in the cornea. This may indicate an irregular tear film.

[0034] In certain embodiments, computer 20 evaluates measurement data from a particular measurement device 28. For example, computer 20 evaluates OCT data from OCT device 30. The point distribution of the OCT data can describe the anterior corneal surface. A change in the point distribution at a certain location can indicate that the tear film is changing at that location, i.e., that the tear film is unstable at the surface. As another example, computer 20 evaluates topographer data from reflection topographer 34. A change in the illumination pattern of the topographer data at a certain location can indicate instability of the tear film at that location.

[0035] The computer 20 determines a tear film description from the data evaluation. The computer 20 can describe the tear film at a particular location using data from one or more measurement devices 28. In certain embodiments, the computer 20 generates an image representing the tear film description and outputs the image via a display. The image represents the ocular surface of the eye with one or more graphic elements indicating one or more tear film characteristics at the ocular surface location. Further details regarding the tear film description and the image are described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0036] 2A-2C illustrate examples of system 10 generating images 50 (50a, 50b, 50c) of tear film descriptions. In these examples, OCT device 30, aberrometer 32, and topographer 34 provide measurement data, computer 20 (not shown) generates image 50 from the data, and display 52 (which may be part of interface 26) displays image 50. The OCT data indicates tear abnormalities in regions 60a and 62a, the aberrometer data indicates tear abnormalities in regions 60b, 62b, and 64b, and the topographer data indicates tear abnormalities in region 62c. Regions 60 (60a, 60b) substantially overlap, as does region 62 (62a, 62b, 62c). Region 62c does not extend beyond the pupillary region because aberrometer 32 typically does not provide measurements outside the pupillary region.

[0037] Image 50 may include a graphic user interface element or graphic element describing the tear film. The graphic element may have any suitable properties, such as size, shape, color, fill pattern, alphanumeric label, or other properties. In certain embodiments, the graphic element may be overlaid on an image of the eye, such as a photograph or video of the eye, or a graphic element representing the eye. For example, in images 50a, 50b, and 50c, a graphic element is overlaid on an image of the eye to indicate the presence of a tear film abnormality in the region of the eye.

[0038] Computer 20 may include in the tear film description one, more than one, or all abnormalities detected by one, more than one, or all measurement devices 28 of system 10. Generally, if measurement device 28 agrees that an abnormality (e.g., heterogeneity and / or instability) exists at a location, computer 20 will include the abnormality at that location in the description.

[0039] If the measurement devices 28 disagree about the presence of an anomaly, the computer 20 can include or exclude the anomaly. In certain embodiments, the computer 20 can include an anomaly and identify which device 28 detected the anomaly. For example, image 50a of FIG. 2A includes anomalies from all measurement devices 28 of the system 10, with the anomaly from the OCT device 30 shown as a thin line, the anomaly from the topographer 34 shown as a dashed line, and the anomaly from the aberrometer 32 shown as a thick line. In other embodiments, the computer 20 can exclude an anomaly according to any suitable factor. The computer 20 can exclude an anomaly if a predetermined minimum number of devices 28 required to detect the anomaly fail to detect it. For example, image 50b of FIG. 2B includes only anomaly 64 detected by at least two devices 28, and therefore omits anomaly 64b detected by only one device 28, namely, the topographer 34. The computer 20 can exclude an anomaly if a predetermined device 28 required to detect the anomaly fail to detect it. For example, the anomaly may need to be detected by the OCT device 30, the aberrometer 32, or the topographer 34. The computer 20 may exclude the anomaly according to the detection quality (e.g., accuracy, precision, and / or reliability) of the device 28 at the anomaly location. For example, the aberrometer 32 typically does not provide measurements outside the pupil region, so if the aberrometer 32 detects an anomaly outside the pupil region but the other device 28 does not, the anomaly may be considered an error.

[0040] In certain embodiments, computer 20 can combine anomalies detected by different devices 28. Computer 20 can apply a function (e.g., an averaging function) to the anomalies. For example, an anomaly for device p can be calculated by: if device p detects an anomaly, then the detected value v p If device p does not detect an anomaly, the detection value v p = 0. The average detection value v p An averaging function may be applied to find v. Anomalies whose detection value meets a minimum detection value (e.g., greater than 0.3, 0.5, or 0.7) may be included in the description. In certain embodiments, the detection value v p may be modified according to any suitable factor, such as, for example, the certainty of the measurement and / or the detection quality of device 28 .

[0041] Computer 20 may describe abnormalities in the tear film description in any suitable manner. In certain embodiments, a graphical element may indicate the area of ​​the eye that is abnormal. For example, images 50a, 50b, and 50c use lines to outline the area where the abnormality is located. In another example, the area may be indicated by a color or fill pattern.

[0042] Computer 20 may include any suitable properties of the abnormality in the tear film description using any suitable graphic element characteristics. In certain embodiments, image 50 may identify device 28 that detected the abnormality. For example, in images 50a, 50b, and 50c, anomalies from OCT device 30 are shown with thin lines, anomalies from topographer 34 are shown with dashed lines, and anomalies from aberrometer 32 are shown with thick lines. In certain embodiments, image 50 may identify the type of abnormality. For example, in image 50c of FIG. 2C, regions 60 (60a, 60b) are shown with a solid fill pattern representing instability. Regions 62 and 64 have no fill pattern, representing inhomogeneity. In certain embodiments, image 50 may indicate a confidence level in the detection of the abnormality, which may represent the certainty of the measurement and / or detection quality of device 28. For example, anomalies with a high degree of detection confidence may be a different color than anomalies with a low degree of detection confidence.

[0043] 3 illustrates an example of a method for assessing an eye's tear film that may be performed by system 10, according to certain embodiments. Certain steps of the method may be performed by computer 20, which may send instructions to components of system 10 to perform certain operations. The method begins at step 110, in which measurement device 28 directs light toward eye 12. In certain embodiments, measurement device 28 includes, for example, OCT device 30, aberrometer 32, and topographer 34. OCT device 30 directs OCT light at step 110a, aberrometer 32 directs aberrometer light at step 110b, and topographer 34 directs topographer light at step 110c.

[0044] Eye 12 reflects light and measurement device 28 detects the reflected light in step 112. OCT device 30 detects reflected OCT light in step 112a, aberrometer 32 detects reflected aberrometer light in step 112b, and topographer 34 detects reflected topographer light in step 112c.

[0045] Measurement device 28 generates data describing eye 12 from the reflected light in step 114. OCT device 30 generates OCT data from the reflected OCT light in step 114a, aberrometer 32 generates aberrometer data from the reflected aberrometer light in step 114b, and topographer 34 generates topographer data from the reflected topographer light in step 114c.

[0046] The computer 20 aligns the data from the measurement device 28 according to position in step 116 and evaluates the data at those positions in step 120. The computer 20 may evaluate the data in any suitable manner. For example, the computer 20 may identify a position where the data exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio than other positions and determine that the tear film has non-uniformity at that position. As another example, the computer 20 may identify a position where the data exhibits a change in signal-to-noise ratio and determine that the tear film has instability at that position.

[0047] The computer 20 evaluates the data from the OCT device 30 in step 116a. For example, the computer 20 can identify locations where the OCT data is missing and determine that the tear film has inhomogeneity at those locations. As another example, the computer 20 can determine the anterior corneal surface from the OCT data, determine a residual between the anterior corneal surface and the OCT data, and determine that the tear film has inhomogeneity according to the residual. As another example, the computer 20 can identify locations where the point distribution of the OCT data changes and determine that the tear film has instability at those locations.

[0048] In step 116b, computer 20 evaluates the data from aberrometer 32. For example, computer 20 can determine a wavefront parameterization from the aberrometer data, determine a residual of the wavefront parameterization, and determine that the tear film has instability according to the residual. As another example, computer 20 can identify locations where the wavefront signal of the aberrometer data shows changes and determine that the tear film has instability at those locations.

[0049] The computer 20 evaluates the data from the topographer 34 in step 116c. For example, the computer 20 can identify locations where the topographer data is missing data and determine that the tear film has inhomogeneity at that location. As another example, the computer 20 can determine the anterior corneal surface from the topographer data, determine a residual between the anterior corneal surface and the topographer data, and determine that the tear film has inhomogeneity according to the residual. As another example, the computer 20 can identify locations where the illumination pattern in the topographer data shows a change and determine that the tear film has instability at that location.

[0050] The computer 20 determines a tear film description from the evaluation at step 122. The computer 20 may use data from one or more measurement devices 28 to describe the tear film at a particular location. The computer 20 displays the tear film description at step 124. In certain embodiments, the computer 20 generates an image representing the tear film description and outputs the image via a display. The image may show the ocular surface of the eye and may have graphical elements showing tear film characteristics in regions of the ocular surface. The method then ends.

[0051] Components (such as a control computer) of the systems and devices disclosed herein may include interfaces, logic, and / or memory, any of which may include computer hardware and / or software. An interface can receive input to and / or send output from a component and is typically used to exchange information between, for example, software, hardware, peripheral devices, a user, and combinations thereof. A user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI)) is one type of interface that may be used by a user to interact with a computer. Examples of user interfaces include a display, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a gesture sensor, a microphone, and a speaker.

[0052] Logic can perform the operations of a component. Logic can include one or more electronic devices that process data, e.g., execute instructions to generate output from input. Examples of such electronic devices include computers, processors, microprocessors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs)), and computer chips. Logic can include computer software that encodes instructions that can be executed by the electronic device to perform operations. Examples of computer software include computer programs, applications, and operating systems.

[0053] A memory can store information and may include a tangible, computer-readable, and / or computer-executable storage medium. Examples of memory include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disks), removable storage media (e.g., compact discs (CDs) or digital video or versatile discs (DVDs)), databases, network storage (e.g., servers), and / or other computer-readable media. Certain embodiments may be directed to memory encoded with computer software.

[0054] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to particular embodiments, modifications of the embodiments (e.g., alterations, substitutions, additions, omissions, and / or other modifications) will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, modifications may be made to the systems and devices disclosed herein. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, components of the systems and devices may be integrated or separated, or operations of the systems and devices may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. As another example, modifications may be made to the methods disclosed herein. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the methods may include more, fewer, or other steps, and the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0055] To assist the Patent Office and readers in interpreting the claims, applicants note that no claim or claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless the words "means for" or "step for" are expressly used in a particular claim. Use of other terms in the claims (e.g., "mechanism," "module," "device," "unit," "component," "element," "member," "apparatus," "machine," "system," "processor," or "controller") is understood by applicants to refer to structures known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f). According to aspect (1), there is provided an ophthalmic system for assessing an eye's tear film, the system comprising: a plurality of measurement devices, each measurement device comprising: detecting light reflected from the eye, the ocular surface of the eye including the tear film; generating data describing the eye from the reflected light; a plurality of measurement devices configured to A computer, for each of a plurality of positions on the eye surface, aligning the data corresponding to the same position; evaluating the data at the plurality of locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film; determining a tear film description from said evaluation of said data at said plurality of locations; a computer configured to: An ophthalmic system comprising: According to aspect (2), the computer: identifying locations where the data exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio than other locations; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (3), the computer: identifying locations where the data exhibits a change in signal-to-noise ratio; detecting an abnormality at the location, including instability of the tear film; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (4), a measuring device among the plurality of measuring devices is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, directing OCT light to the eye; detecting the OCT light reflected from the eye; generating OCT data describing the eye from the reflected OCT light; The present invention relates to an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. According to aspect (5), the computer: Identifying a location in the OCT data where the OCT data is missing; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (6), the computer: determining an anterior corneal surface from the OCT data; determining a residual of the anterior corneal surface and the OCT data; detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film according to the residuals; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (7), the computer: Identifying a location where the point distribution of the OCT data changes; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (8), a measuring device among the plurality of measuring devices is directing an aberrometer beam at the eye; detecting the aberrometer light reflected from the eye; generating aberrometer data describing the eye from the reflected aberrometer light; The aberrometer is configured to: According to aspect (9), the computer: determining a wavefront parameterization from the aberrometer data; and determining a residual of the wavefront parameterization and the aberrometer data; detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film according to the residuals; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (10), the computer: Identifying locations where the wavefront signal of the aberrometer data exhibits a change; detecting an abnormality at the location, including instability of the tear film; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to an aspect (11), a measurement device among the plurality of measurement devices is a reflection topographer, directing a topographer light containing an illumination pattern at the eye; detecting the topographer light reflected from the eye; generating topographer data describing the eye from the reflected topographer light; The reflection topographer is configured to: According to aspect (12), the computer: Identifying locations with missing data from the topographer data; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (13), the computer: determining the anterior corneal surface from the topographer data; determining a residual of the anterior corneal surface and the topographer data; detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film according to the residuals; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (14), the computer: identifying locations where the illumination pattern exhibits a change; detecting an abnormality at the location, including instability of the tear film; and further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by According to aspect (15), the computer: generating an image representing a description of the tear film; Outputting the image via a display It is further configured as follows. According to aspect (16), the image represents the ocular surface of the eye with one or more graphic elements indicating the one or more abnormalities in the tear film at the location on the ocular surface. According to aspect (17), there is provided an ophthalmic system for assessing an eye's tear film, the system comprising: a plurality of measurement devices, each measurement device comprising: the eye, an ocular surface of the eye detecting light reflected from the eye including the tear film; generating data describing the eye from the reflected light; a plurality of measurement devices configured to A computer, for each of a plurality of positions on the eye surface, aligning the data corresponding to the same position; evaluating the data at the plurality of locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film; determining a tear film description from said evaluation of said data at said plurality of locations; generating and outputting an image representing the description of the tear film, the image representing the ocular surface of the eye having one or more graphical elements indicative of the one or more abnormalities of the tear film at the location on the ocular surface; a computer configured to: An ophthalmic system comprising: According to aspect (18), the image identifies a type of anomaly among the one or more anomalies. According to aspect (19), the image identifies one or more of the plurality of measuring devices that generated the data used to detect one of the one or more anomalies. According to aspect (20), there is provided an ophthalmic system for assessing an eye's tear film, the system comprising: a plurality of measurement devices, each measurement device comprising: the eye, an ocular surface of the eye detecting light reflected from the eye including the tear film; generating data describing the eye from the reflected light It is configured as follows: the plurality of measuring devices an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device configured to direct optical coherence tomography (OCT) light at the eye, detect the OCT light reflected from the eye, and generate OCT data describing the eye from the reflected OCT light; an aberrometer configured to direct aberrometer light at the eye, detect the aberrometer light reflected from the eye, and generate aberrometer data describing the eye from the reflected aberrometer light; a reflection topographer configured to direct a topographer light comprising an illumination pattern at the eye, detect the topographer light reflected from the eye, and generate topographer data describing the eye from the reflected topographer light; a plurality of measurement devices, A computer, for each of a plurality of positions on the eye surface, aligning the data corresponding to the same position; evaluating the data at the plurality of locations to identify one or more abnormalities in the tear film; identifying locations where the data exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio than other locations and detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity of the tear film, at the locations; identifying locations in the data that exhibit changes in signal-to-noise ratio and detecting abnormalities, including instability of the tear film, at the locations; Identifying locations where the OCT data is missing data and detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity of the tear film, at the locations; determining an anterior corneal surface from the OCT data, determining a residual between the anterior corneal surface and the OCT data, and detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity of the tear film, according to the residual; Identifying locations where the distribution of points in the OCT data changes and detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film at the locations; determining a wavefront parameterization from the aberrometer data, determining a residual between the wavefront parameterization and the aberrometer data, and detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity of the tear film, according to the residual; identifying locations where the wavefront signal of the aberrometer data exhibits changes and detecting abnormalities, including instability of the tear film, at the locations; identifying locations where the topographer data is missing data and detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity of the tear film, at the locations; determining an anterior corneal surface from the topographer data, determining a residual between the anterior corneal surface and the topographer data, and detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity of the tear film, according to the residual; identifying locations where the illumination pattern exhibits changes and detecting abnormalities, including instability of the tear film, at the locations; Detected by determining a tear film description from said evaluation of said data at said plurality of locations; generating an image representing the description of the tear film, the image representing the ocular surface of the eye having one or more graphical elements indicative of the one or more abnormalities of the tear film at the location on the ocular surface; and outputting the image via a display. a computer configured to: An ophthalmic system comprising:

Claims

1. 1. An ophthalmic system for assessing an eye's tear film, the system comprising: a plurality of measurement devices, each measurement device comprising: detecting light reflected from the eye, the ocular surface of the eye including the tear film; generating data describing the eye from the reflected light; a plurality of measurement devices configured to A computer, for each of a plurality of positions on the eye surface, aligning the data corresponding to the same position; identifying locations where the data exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio than other locations; evaluating the data at the plurality of locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film by detecting abnormalities, including non-uniformity in the tear film, at locations where the data exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio; determining a tear film description from evaluating the data at the plurality of locations; a computer configured to:

1. An ophthalmic system comprising:

2. 1. An ophthalmic system for assessing an eye's tear film, the system comprising: a plurality of measurement devices, each measurement device comprising: detecting light reflected from the eye, the ocular surface of the eye including the tear film; generating data describing the eye from the reflected light; a plurality of measurement devices configured to A computer, for each of a plurality of positions on the eye surface, aligning the data corresponding to the same position; identifying locations where the data exhibits a change in signal-to-noise ratio; evaluating the data at the plurality of locations to detect one or more abnormalities in the tear film by detecting abnormalities, including instability in the tear film, at locations where the data exhibits a change in signal-to-noise ratio; determining a tear film description from evaluating the data at the plurality of locations; a computer configured to:

1. An ophthalmic system comprising:

3. a measuring device of the plurality of measuring devices is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device; directing OCT light at the eye; detecting the OCT light reflected from the eye; generating OCT data describing the eye from the reflected OCT light; The ophthalmic system of claim 1 , comprising an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device configured to:

4. The computer Identifying a location with missing data in the OCT data; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; The ophthalmic system of claim 3 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

5. The computer determining an anterior corneal surface from the OCT data; determining a residual of the anterior corneal surface and the OCT data; detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film according to the residuals; The ophthalmic system of claim 3 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

6. The computer Identifying a position where the point distribution of the OCT data changes; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; The ophthalmic system of claim 3 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

7. a measuring device among the plurality of measuring devices, directing an aberrometer beam at the eye; detecting the aberrometer light reflected from the eye; generating aberrometer data describing the eye from the reflected aberrometer light; The ophthalmic system of claim 1 , including an aberrometer configured to:

8. The computer determining a wavefront parameterization from the aberrometer data; and determining a residual of the wavefront parameterization and the aberrometer data; detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film according to the residuals; The ophthalmic system of claim 7 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

9. The computer Identifying locations where the wavefront signal of the aberrometer data exhibits a change; detecting an abnormality at the location, including instability of the tear film; The ophthalmic system of claim 7 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

10. a measurement device of the plurality of measurement devices is a reflection topographer; directing a topographer light containing an illumination pattern at the eye; detecting the topographer light reflected from the eye; generating topographer data describing the eye from the reflected topographer light; The ophthalmic system of claim 1 , comprising a reflective topographer configured to:

11. The computer Identifying locations with missing data from the topographer data; detecting an abnormality including non-uniformity of the tear film at the location; The ophthalmic system of claim 10 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

12. The computer determining the anterior corneal surface from the topographer data; determining a residual of the anterior corneal surface and the topographer data; detecting abnormalities including non-uniformity of the tear film according to the residuals; The ophthalmic system of claim 10 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

13. The computer identifying locations where the illumination pattern exhibits a change; detecting an abnormality at the location, including instability of the tear film; The ophthalmic system of claim 10 , further configured to evaluate the data at the plurality of locations by:

14. The computer generating an image representing a description of the tear film; Outputting the image via a display The ophthalmic system of claim 1 , further configured to:

15. 15. The ophthalmic system of claim 14, wherein the image represents the ocular surface of the eye with one or more graphical elements indicative of the one or more abnormalities in the tear film at the location on the ocular surface.

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