Ophthalmic device, method for controlling the ophthalmic device, and recording medium

Abstract

An ophthalmologic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an illumination system that projects illumination light onto an eye to be examined; and an image-capturing system that captures an image of the eye to be examined. The illumination system and the image-capturing system are configured so as to satisfy the Scheimpflug conditions. The illumination system includes a light source unit and an illumination polarizer. The light source unit outputs slit illumination light. The illumination polarizer extracts an illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit. The illumination system projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye to be examined so as to serve as the illumination light. The image-capturing system includes an image-capturing polarizer and an imaging element. The image-capturing polarizer extracts an image-capturing polarization component from return light coming from the eye to be examined onto which the slit illumination light is projected. The imaging element detects the image-capturing polarization component extracted by the image-capturing polarizer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an ophthalmic device, a method for controlling an ophthalmic device, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging plays a crucial role. Various ophthalmic devices are used in ophthalmic imaging. These devices include slit-lamp microscopes, fundus cameras, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes (SLOs), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Furthermore, various examination and measurement devices such as refractometers, keratometers, tonometers, specular microscopes, wavefront analyzers, and microperimeters are equipped with functions for imaging the anterior segment and fundus.

[0003] Among these various ophthalmic devices, one of the most widely and frequently used is the slit-lamp microscope, sometimes called the stethoscope for ophthalmologists. A slit-lamp microscope is an ophthalmic device that illuminates the eye under examination with slit light and observes or photographs the illuminated cross-section from the side with a microscope (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). Slit-lamp microscopes that can rapidly scan the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination by using an optical system configured to satisfy the Scheinproof condition are also known (see, for example, Patent Document 3 below). In addition to slit-lamp microscopes, rolling shutter cameras are known as imaging methods that scan objects with slit light. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-159073 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-179004 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-213733 (International Publication No. 2019 / 240149) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to improve ophthalmic imaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One exemplary embodiment of the embodiment is an ophthalmic device comprising an illumination system for projecting illumination light onto an eye under examination and an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, the illumination system comprising a light source unit for outputting slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer for extracting an illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, and projecting the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light, and the imaging system comprising an imaging polarizer for extracting an imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light has been projected, and an image sensor for detecting the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0007] Another exemplary embodiment is a method for controlling an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an illumination system for projecting slit illumination light onto an eye under examination, an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination, a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system, and a processor, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, the illumination system comprising a light source unit for outputting slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer for extracting an illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, and projecting the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light; the imaging system comprising a photography polarizer for extracting a photography polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, and an image sensor for detecting the photography polarization component extracted by the photography polarizer, wherein the processor causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the moving mechanism.

[0008] A further exemplary embodiment of the embodiment is a program that causes a computer to control an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an illumination system for projecting slit illumination light onto an eye under examination, an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination, and a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, wherein the illumination system comprises a light source unit for outputting slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer for extracting an illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, and projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light, and the imaging system comprises a photography polarizer for extracting a photography polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light has been projected, and an image sensor for detecting the photography polarization component extracted by the photography polarizer, wherein the program causes the computer to collect a series of images from the imaging system by performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the moving mechanism.

[0009] A further exemplary embodiment of the embodiment is a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which a program is recorded causing a computer to perform control of an ophthalmic apparatus configured such that the illumination system and the imaging system satisfy shine-proof conditions, the illumination system comprising a light source unit that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer that extracts an illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit and projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light, the imaging system comprising a photography polarizer that extracts a photography polarization component from the light reflected from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected and an image sensor that detects the photography polarization component extracted by the photography polarizer, the program causing the computer to collect a series of images by performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the embodiment, the improvement of ophthalmic imaging can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 4A] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 4B] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 6A] It is a timing chart showing the processing executed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 6B] It is a timing chart showing the processing executed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 7A] It is a timing chart showing the processing executed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 7B] It is a timing chart showing the processing executed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 9A] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 9B] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary aspect of the embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 18] This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 19] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 20] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 21] This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 22] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 23] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 24] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 25] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 26] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 27A] This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 27B] This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 28A] This is a schematic diagram representing an image generated by a process performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 28B] This is a schematic diagram representing an image generated by a process performed by an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 29A] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 29B] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 30] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 31] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Figure 32] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one exemplary embodiment of the model. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Several non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Any prior art can be combined with any aspect of this disclosure. For example, any matter disclosed in the documents referenced herein can be combined with any aspect of this disclosure. Furthermore, any prior art in the art related to this disclosure can be combined with any aspect of this disclosure.

[0014] All content disclosed in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-213733 (International Publication No. 2019 / 240149)) is incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, any technical matters disclosed by the applicant of this application with respect to the technology related to this disclosure (matters disclosed in patent applications, papers, etc.) may be combined with any aspect relating to this disclosure.

[0015] It is possible to combine at least two or more of the various embodiments relating to this disclosure.

[0016] At least some of the functionality of the elements described in this disclosure is implemented using a circuitry or processing circuitry. The circuitry or processing circuitry is configured and / or programmed to perform at least some of the disclosed functionality and may include general-purpose processors, dedicated processors, integrated circuits, CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), programmable logic devices (e.g., SPLDs (Simple Programmable Logic Devices), CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gates)). This includes any of the following: an array, a conventional circuit configuration, and any combination thereof. A processor is considered a processing circuit configuration or circuit configuration, including transistors and / or other circuit configurations. In this disclosure, a circuit configuration, unit, means, or similar terms means hardware that performs at least a portion of the disclosed functions, or hardware programmed to perform at least a portion of the disclosed functions. The hardware may be the hardware disclosed herein, or it may be known hardware programmed and / or configured to perform at least a portion of the described functions. If the hardware is a processor that can be considered a certain type of circuit configuration, then a circuit configuration, unit, means, or similar terms means a combination of hardware and software, the software being used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0017] The following embodiments describe various methods for handling monochrome images (using a monochrome camera), but those skilled in the art will understand that similar processing can be performed when handling color images (using a color camera). As a non-limiting example when handling color images, considering that a color camera generally generates three color component images (R component image, G component image, and B component image), it is possible to employ methods such as generating a high dynamic range image for each component image, generating a high dynamic range image using the luminance signal value (Y) generated from the three color component images, converting a color image to a monochrome image to generate a high dynamic range image, or generating a high dynamic range image from only selected color component images.

[0018] <Overview of Embodiments> The embodiments of this disclosure aim to improve ophthalmic imaging using an optical system that satisfies the conditions of Scheinproof. As an application thereto, some exemplary aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure aim to improve ophthalmic imaging by acquiring images while moving an optical system that satisfies the conditions of Scheinproof.

[0019] Images acquired by conventional ophthalmic equipment equipped with an optical system that satisfies the shineproof requirements may contain noise (called specular reflection noise) resulting from specular reflection of illumination light projected onto the eye under examination. For example, specular reflection from highly reflective tissues such as the cornea may be included as noise.

[0020] While techniques for removing corneal specular reflection noise from ocular images obtained with fundus cameras and optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices are widely known, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, no ophthalmic device equipped with an optical system that satisfies the Scheinproof requirements possesses this function.

[0021] In particular, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, no ophthalmic device possessing the same function, equipped with an optical system that satisfies the conditions of a shineproof design and configured to project slit illumination light onto the eye under examination, is known, nor are there any documents suggesting such a device.

[0022] Furthermore, in conventional ophthalmic devices equipped with optical systems that satisfy the shine-proof condition, the reflection from highly reflective tissues can be relatively excessive, impairing the visibility of images from other tissues. For example, strong reflection from the cornea can impair the visibility of intraocular tissues such as the lens.

[0023] Furthermore, conventional ophthalmic devices equipped with optical systems that satisfy the shine-proof conditions cannot determine the polarization characteristics of the eye being examined.

[0024] While the embodiments described herein have been made with at least these issues in mind, the functions and effects of the embodiments described herein, and the objectives achieved by the embodiments described herein, are not limited to matters related to these issues, but rather aim to improve imaging using ophthalmic devices equipped with optical systems that satisfy shineproof conditions from various perspectives.

[0025] To that end, the embodiments of the present disclosure have the following configuration. That is, the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an illumination system and an imaging system, and the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions.

[0026] The illumination system of this embodiment includes a light source that outputs slit illumination light and a polarizer that extracts a predetermined polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source, and is configured to project the polarization component extracted by the polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light.

[0027] In some exemplary embodiments, the slit illumination light may be light whose beam cross-sectional shape is formed macroscopically as a roughly linear shape and microscopically as an elongated, roughly rectangular shape, such as light whose beam cross-sectional shape is formed by passing through a slit.

[0028] The configuration of the light source unit that generates the slit illumination light may be arbitrary. For example, the light source unit that generates the slit illumination light may be any of the following: a light source unit that includes a light source (light-emitting element) and a slit formation mechanism, as in a standard slit lamp microscope; a light source unit that includes a light source and a one-dimensional optical scanner; or a light source unit that includes a line light source that emits light having a one-dimensional beam cross-sectional shape when viewed macroscopically.

[0029] In the illumination system of this embodiment, the polarizer is called the illumination polarizer, and the polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer is called the illumination polarization component. The illumination polarizer may be any type of polarizer, for example, either a transmissive polarizer or a reflective polarizer.

[0030] The imaging system of the embodiment includes a polarizer that extracts a predetermined polarization component from the reflected light from the eye of the subject onto which slit illumination light is projected, and an image sensor that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the polarizer.

[0031] The light entering the imaging system (the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected) may include not only the reflected light from the slit illumination light, but also any other type of light, such as ambient light.

[0032] In the imaging system of this embodiment, the polarizer is called the imaging polarizer, and the polarization component extracted from the reflected light by the imaging polarizer is called the imaging polarization component. The imaging polarizer may be any type of polarizer, for example, it may be either a transmissive polarizer or a reflective polarizer.

[0033] The image sensor in the imaging system of the embodiment may be of any type, and the image sensor in some exemplary embodiments may be any type of area sensor, such as a CCD area sensor or a CMOS area sensor.

[0034] An optical system (illumination system and imaging system) that satisfies the Scheinproof conditions may, for example, be a configuration that combines an illumination polarizer and an imaging polarizer with the optical system disclosed in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-213733 (International Publication No. 2019 / 240149)), but is not limited thereto. By using an optical system that satisfies the Scheinproof conditions, the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment can focus on and image a wide range of the eye under examination. For example, in anterior segment imaging, it is possible to focus on and image an area defined by at least the anterior surface of the cornea and the posterior surface of the lens, making it possible to represent the entire main observation target of the anterior segment in high definition.

[0035] The ophthalmic apparatus according to this embodiment is equipped with an illumination polarizer and a photographic polarizer, making it possible to improve ophthalmic imaging by utilizing various operations and processes related to polarization. For example, although details will be described later, one embodiment makes it possible to remove specular reflection noise in eye images, another embodiment makes it possible to eliminate the decrease in image visibility caused by differences in the reflectivity of eye tissues, and yet another embodiment makes it possible to determine the polarization characteristics of the eye under examination.

[0036] Furthermore, the ophthalmic apparatus according to this embodiment, in addition to being equipped with an illumination polarizer and a photographic polarizer, is equipped with an illumination system and a photographic system configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, thus achieving a novel and remarkable effect of achieving a wide imaging range, high resolution (image output) across the entire imaging range, and improved ophthalmic imaging using polarization.

[0037] For example, according to the ophthalmic apparatus of this embodiment, it becomes possible to generate wide-range and high-resolution eye images with specular reflection noise removed, to generate wide-range and high-resolution eye images with reduced visibility due to differences in the reflectivity of eye tissue eliminated, and to determine the polarization characteristics of the eye under examination over a wide range with high quality (accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and any other type of information quality).

[0038] Some exemplary ophthalmic devices may be configured to scan the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination. Such configurations allow for imaging of a wide three-dimensional region of the eye under examination with high rendering power, and also improve ophthalmic imaging using polarization.

[0039] For example, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to generate wide-range 3D eye images with high resolution from which specular reflection noise has been removed, to generate wide-range 3D eye images with high resolution from which the reduction in image visibility caused by differences in the reflectivity of eye tissue has been eliminated, and to determine the distribution of polarization characteristics in a wide 3D region of the eye under examination with high quality.

[0040] The embodiments outlined above will now be described in part

[0041] In another embodiment, the illumination system may include a light source that emits light having linear polarization characteristics (for example, a semiconductor laser) instead of a combination of a light source that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source.

[0042] The illumination system of this alternative embodiment does not need to include a polarizer. Furthermore, the illumination system of this alternative embodiment may include a mechanism for changing the polarization direction of illumination light by rotating a light source that emits light having linear polarization characteristics, and / or means (optical elements, mechanisms, etc.) for changing the polarization direction of light having linear polarization characteristics output from the light source.

[0043] Accordingly, the disclosure also includes an ophthalmic device having the following elements: the ophthalmic device includes an illumination system for projecting illumination light onto the eye under examination; the ophthalmic device includes an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination; the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions; the illumination system includes a light source unit that outputs linearly polarized slit illumination light; the illumination system is configured to project the linearly polarized slit illumination light onto the eye under examination as the illumination light; the imaging system includes an imaging polarizer that extracts an imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye onto which the linearly polarized slit illumination light has been projected; and the imaging system includes an image sensor that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0044] It is possible to combine any of the various exemplary embodiments described herein with the ophthalmic apparatus having such a configuration according to the other embodiment. Furthermore, embodiments of other categories corresponding to the ophthalmic apparatus according to the other embodiment (e.g., embodiments of methods for controlling the ophthalmic apparatus, embodiments of programs, embodiments of recording media, embodiments of medical methods, embodiments of imaging methods, embodiments of data processing methods) are also included in this disclosure.

[0045] More generally, the present disclosure includes an ophthalmic device comprising: an illumination system for projecting illumination light onto an eye under examination; an imaging system for photographing an eye under examination; the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions; the illumination system is configured to project linearly polarized slit illumination light onto the eye under examination as the illumination light; the imaging system includes an imaging polarizer for extracting an imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye onto which the linearly polarized slit illumination light has been projected; and the imaging system includes an image sensor for detecting the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0046] For ophthalmic devices having such a configuration according to a more general embodiment, it is possible to combine any of the various exemplary embodiments described herein. Furthermore, other categories of embodiments corresponding to such a more general embodiment of an ophthalmic device (e.g., embodiments of methods for controlling the ophthalmic device, embodiments of programs, embodiments of recording media, embodiments of medical methods, embodiments of imaging methods, embodiments of data processing methods) are also included in this disclosure.

[0047] <Ophthalmological equipment> Several exemplary embodiments of an ophthalmic apparatus according to the present invention are provided.

[0048] Figures 1 and 2 show the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the invention. The ophthalmic device 1000 according to this embodiment includes an illumination system 1010, an imaging system 1020, and a control unit 1030.

[0049] The illumination system 1010 is configured to project illumination light onto the eye E under examination. The illumination system 1010 includes a light source unit 1011 that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer 1012 that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit 1011. Although not shown in the figures, the illumination system 1010 further includes other elements (e.g., an objective lens).

[0050] The imaging system 1020 captures the eye E under examination and generates a digital image. The imaging system 1020 includes an imaging polarizer 1021 that extracts the imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye E under examination onto which slit illumination light is projected by the illumination system 1010, and an image sensor 1022 that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer 1021. Although not shown in the figure, the imaging system 1020 further includes other elements (e.g., an objective lens).

[0051] The illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 are configured to satisfy the conditions for a shineproof design. More specifically, the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 are configured such that the plane (including the object surface) passing through the optical axis of the optical system (illumination optical system) of the illumination system 1010, the principal surface of the optical system (imaging optical system) of the imaging system 1020, and the imaging surface of the image sensor 1022 intersect on the same straight line.

[0052] The illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 are included in the imaging unit for imaging the eye E under examination. The imaging unit functions as a Scheinproof camera and can image the eye E under examination with the imaging system 1020 in focus at all positions within the object plane (all positions along the optical axis of the illumination system 1010). The image generated by the imaging unit is sometimes called a Scheinproof image. Several non-specific examples of optical systems (illumination optical system and imaging optical system) configured to satisfy the Scheinproof conditions will be described later.

[0053] The control unit 1030 is configured to control the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020. The illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 generate a shine-proof image by imaging the eye E under the control of the control unit 1030.

[0054] The control unit 1030 includes hardware elements such as a processor and a memory device. The memory device stores computer programs such as control programs. The functions of the control unit 1030 are realized through the cooperation of software such as control programs and hardware such as the processor.

[0055] Some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic apparatus do not require the control unit 1030. In this case, the control of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 are performed, for example, by a computer (processor) located outside the ophthalmic apparatus.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the ophthalmic apparatus 1000 in this embodiment outputs slit illumination light from the light source unit 1011, extracts the illumination polarization component from this slit illumination light using the illumination polarizer 1012, and projects this illumination polarization component as illumination light onto the eye E under examination using the illumination system 1010. A portion of the reflected light of the illumination light projected onto the eye E under examination is incident on the imaging system 1020. The ophthalmic apparatus 1000 in this embodiment extracts the imaging polarization component from the reflected light incident on the imaging system 1020 using the imaging polarizer 1021, and detects this imaging polarization component using the image sensor 1022.

[0057] The data output from the image sensor 1022, which detects the polarization component of the image, is image data (a Scheinproof image of the eye E under examination). This Scheinproof image contains information representing the polarization state of the reflected light of the illumination light projected onto the eye E under examination. The reflected light of the illumination light projected onto the eye E under examination is affected by the polarization characteristics of the eye E under examination, and this Scheinproof image contains information representing the polarization characteristics of the eye E under examination.

[0058] With the ophthalmic device 1000 configured in this manner, it is possible to generate high-quality images that reflect the polarization characteristics of the eye E under examination over a wide range, thereby improving ophthalmic imaging.

[0059] The configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 3, 4A, and 4B. The ophthalmic device 1100 according to this embodiment includes a polarizer movement mechanism 1040 in addition to the illumination system 1010, imaging system 1020, and control unit 1030 similar to those of the ophthalmic device 1000.

[0060] The polarizer movement mechanism 1040 is configured to move the polarizer relative to the optical path. The polarizer movement mechanism 1040 includes an actuator that generates a driving force and a mechanism that transmits the generated driving force to the polarizer. The polarizer movement mechanism 1040 operates under the control of the control unit 1030.

[0061] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the polarizer movement mechanism 1040 in this embodiment includes an illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 and a photography polarizer movement mechanism 1042. The illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 is configured to insert and remove the illumination polarizer 1012 from the optical path (illumination optical path) of the illumination system 1010. That is, the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 is configured to perform the operation of inserting the illumination polarizer 1012 into the illumination optical path and the operation of retracting the illumination polarizer 1012 from the illumination optical path. Similarly, the photography polarizer movement mechanism 1042 is configured to insert and remove the photography polarizer 1021 from the optical path (photography optical path) of the photography system 1020.

[0062] The control unit 1030 controls the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 and the imaging polarizer movement mechanism 1042. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the control unit 1030 can coordinately control the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 and the imaging polarizer movement mechanism 1042.

[0063] In this example, the control unit 1030 coordinately controls the illumination polarizer moving mechanism 1041 for inserting the illumination polarizer 1012 into the illumination light path and the imaging polarizer moving mechanism 1042 for inserting the imaging polarizer 1021 into the imaging light path, and also coordinately controls the illumination polarizer moving mechanism 1041 for retracting the illumination polarizer 1012 from the illumination light path and the imaging polarizer moving mechanism 1042 for retracting the imaging polarizer 1021 from the imaging light path.

[0064] In this example, it becomes possible to switch between shooting with polarization taken into consideration and normal shooting without polarization taken into consideration.

[0065] If only the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 is provided, or if both the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 and the imaging polarizer movement mechanism 1042 are provided and the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 can be selectively controlled, the control unit 1030 can position the illumination polarizer 1012 on the illumination light path and move the imaging polarizer 1021 out of the imaging light path.

[0066] In this example, the subject eye E can be photographed using the illumination polarization component of the slit illumination light as the illumination light.

[0067] Conversely, if only the imaging polarizer movement mechanism 1042 is provided, or if both the illumination polarizer movement mechanism 1041 and the imaging polarizer movement mechanism 1042 are provided and the imaging polarizer movement mechanism 1042 can be selectively controlled, the control unit 1030 can move the illumination polarizer 1012 out of the illumination light path and position the imaging polarizer 1021 on the imaging light path.

[0068] In this example, it is possible to selectively detect the polarization component of the reflected light from the eye E being examined.

[0069] Figure 5 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1200 according to this embodiment includes a lighting system 1010, an imaging system 1020, and a control unit 1030, similar to those of the ophthalmic device 1000, as well as a moving mechanism 1050.

[0070] The moving mechanism 1050 is configured to move the lighting system 1010 and the imaging system 1020. The moving mechanism 1050 includes an actuator that generates a driving force and a mechanism that transmits the generated driving force to the lighting system 1010 and the imaging system 1020. The moving mechanism 1050 operates under the control of the control unit 1030.

[0071] The moving mechanism 1050 may include a mechanism having a function equivalent to that of moving the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020. Examples of such mechanisms include a mechanism that moves the illumination position (the projection position of the illumination light onto the eye E under examination) by deflecting the illumination light (illumination scanner, movable illumination mirror), and a mechanism that moves the imaging position by deflecting the light reflected from the eye E under examination (imaging scanner, movable imaging mirror).

[0072] According to this embodiment, it is possible to scan the eye E under examination using an illumination system 1010 and an imaging system 1020 that satisfy the conditions for a Scheinproof, that is, to acquire images while moving the illumination system 1010 and imaging system 1020 that satisfy the conditions for a Scheinproof. This makes it possible to collect multiple images (a group of Scheinproof images) from the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination. Furthermore, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional image from the collected group of Scheinproof images, and to create a rendering image of this three-dimensional image.

[0073] Two examples of scanning according to this embodiment are shown in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0074] The scan shown in Figure 6A is performed by coordinated control (synchronous control) of the output of illumination light from the illumination system 1010 (projection of illumination light onto the eye E under examination), the exposure (imaging) of the image sensor 1022 of the imaging system 1020, and the positions (scan positions) of the illumination system 1010 and imaging system 1020, which are moved by the moving mechanism 1050.

[0075] More specifically, the scan in this example is achieved by combining the continuous output of illumination light, repeated exposure by the image sensor 1022, and the continuous movement of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 from the scan start position to the scan end position. The repeated exposure of the image sensor 1022 is performed by alternating between exposure and charge transfer (and exposure standby).

[0076] The scan shown in Figure 6A has the advantage of being simple and easy to control, but it also has the disadvantage that blurred images may be obtained due to movement of the scan position during exposure or eye movements of the eye being examined E. To address this disadvantage, it is conceivable to shorten the exposure time of the image sensor 1022. However, even if the exposure time is shortened, illumination light is continuously projected onto the eye being examined E even when not being exposed, which may burden the subject. The scan shown in Figure 6B takes these problems into consideration.

[0077] In the scan shown in Figure 6B, the projection time of illumination light onto the eye E is controlled to be shorter than the exposure time of the image sensor 1022. This control is achieved by combining the control of the illumination system 1010, the imaging system 1020, and the movement mechanism 1050.

[0078] The control of the illumination system 1010 may be of any type, for example, it may be electrical control such as control of the light source (on / off) or control of the electronic shutter, or mechanical control such as control of a mechanical shutter or a rotary shutter, or a combination of electrical and mechanical control. The light source is provided in the light source unit 1011. The shutter is also provided in the light source unit 1011 and is configured to switch between the passage and shielding of light output from the light source (that is, to switch between the projection and non-projection of illumination light onto the eye E under examination). The shutter may be positioned after the illumination polarizer 1012.

[0079] The control of the illumination system 1010 is not limited to controlling the state in which illumination light is projected onto the eye E under examination (projection state) and the state in which it is not projected (non-projection state), but may also be controlling the intensity (light quantity) of the illumination light projected onto the eye E under examination.

[0080] The control of the imaging system 1020 may be any type of control, for example, it may be electrical control such as control of the image sensor 1022 or control of the electronic shutter, or mechanical control such as control of a mechanical shutter or control of a rotary shutter, or a combination of electrical and mechanical control.

[0081] In the scan shown in Figure 6B, the length of the period during which illumination light is projected onto the eye E under examination (projection period) (projection time) is controlled to be shorter than the length of the period during which the image sensor 1022 can receive light (exposure period) (exposure time). In addition, the sequence of illumination light output (multiple outputs arranged in a time series) and the exposure sequence of the image sensor 1022 (multiple exposures arranged in a time series) are synchronized with each other so that at least a portion of the projection period and at least a portion of the exposure period overlap.

[0082] In the scan shown in Figure 6B, for each exposure period in the exposure sequence, a portion of that exposure period coincides with one projection period of illumination light. That is, for each exposure period in the exposure sequence, the length of the illumination light projection period (projection time) is shorter than the length of the exposure period (exposure time), and a portion of this exposure period overlaps with the entirety of this projection period.

[0083] With the scan shown in Figure 6B, in each exposure period in the exposure sequence, exposure (light reception and charge accumulation by the image sensor 1022) is substantially performed only for a projection period shorter than the exposure period itself. Therefore, image blurring caused by movement of the scan position or eye movements during exposure can be reduced compared to the scan shown in Figure 6A.

[0084] In the scan shown in Figure 6B, the scan position is moved continuously. While it is also possible to move the scan position in a stepped manner, this increases the complexity of control, and considering that vibrations caused by repeated sudden starts and stops of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 may adversely affect the imaging quality, it is considered superior to move the scan position continuously as shown in Figure 6B. However, the embodiments of this disclosure do not exclude the mode in which the scan position is moved in a stepped manner.

[0085] In the scan shown in Figure 6B, as shown in Figure 7A, the entire projection period of one illumination light corresponds to a portion of the exposure period of one image sensor 1022 (they overlap in time, they are parallel in time). However, the conditions (scan conditions) for obtaining the above effect in the scan shown in Figure 6B are that the projection time of illumination light onto the eye E is shorter than the exposure time of the image sensor 1022, and that at least a portion of the projection period of illumination light onto the eye E overlaps with at least a portion of the exposure period of the image sensor 1022.

[0086] The scanning method that satisfies these scanning conditions is not limited to the scan shown in Figure 6B. Another example of a scanning method that satisfies these scanning conditions is the scan shown in Figure 7B. In the scan shown in Figure 7B, a portion of one projection period of illumination light corresponds to a portion of one exposure period of the image sensor 1022.

[0087] The configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 8, 9A, and 9B. The ophthalmic device 1300 according to this embodiment includes a polarizer driving mechanism 1060 in addition to the illumination system 1010, imaging system 1020, and control unit 1030 similar to those of the ophthalmic device 1000.

[0088] The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 is configured to change the orientation (polarization direction) of the polarization component extracted by the polarizer. Specifically, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 is configured to drive the illumination polarizer 1012 to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light, and / or to drive the imaging polarizer 1021 to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E under examination. The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes an actuator that generates a driving force and a mechanism that transmits the generated driving force to the polarizer. The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 operates under the control of the control unit 1030.

[0089] In some exemplary embodiments, the polarizer is a polarizing plate. A polarizing plate is an optical element that allows only light polarized in a specific direction to pass through. In this case, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 is configured to rotate the polarizing plate. By rotating the polarizing plate, the polarization direction of the light passing through the polarizing plate changes.

[0090] An example of the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 is shown in Figures 9A and 9B. The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 in this example includes an illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 and an imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062. The illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 is configured to drive the illumination polarizer 1012 to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light. The imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062 is configured to drive the imaging polarizer 1021 to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the light reflected from the eye E under examination.

[0091] The operation examples shown in Figures 9A and 9B represent the following two operations (1) and (2) of the polarizer driving mechanism 1060.

[0092] (1) The illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 changes the polarization direction of the light passing through the illumination polarizer 1012 to two different polarization directions, thereby switching the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light between a first illumination polarization component corresponding to one of these two polarization directions and a second illumination polarization component corresponding to the other.

[0093] (2) The imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062 changes the polarization direction of the light passing through the imaging polarizer 1021 to two different polarization directions, thereby switching the imaging polarization component extracted from the light reflected from the eye E to a first imaging polarization component corresponding to one of these two polarization directions and a second imaging polarization component corresponding to the other.

[0094] In the examples shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes both the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 and the imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062. However, in other examples, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 may include only one of the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 or the imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062.

[0095] In other words, both the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E may be variable; the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light may be fixed and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E may be variable; or the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light may be variable and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E may be fixed.

[0096] In the examples shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 changes the polarization direction of the light passing through the illumination polarizer 1012 to two different polarization directions. However, in another example, the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 may be configured to change the polarization direction of the light passing through the illumination polarizer 1012 to three or more different polarization directions.

[0097] In other words, the number of polarization directions that can be switched by the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 can be arbitrary, and furthermore, the manner in which the polarization direction is changed by the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 is not limited to stepwise (discrete) changes, but may be continuous changes.

[0098] Similarly, the number of polarization directions that can be switched by the imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062 may be arbitrary, and furthermore, the mode of change of polarization direction by the imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062 may be either a stepwise change or a continuous change.

[0099] In the examples shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the control unit 1030 controls the illumination polarizer drive mechanism 1061 and the imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062. The control unit 1030 may control the illumination polarizer drive mechanism 1061 and the imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062 in a coordinated manner. Alternatively, the control unit 1030 may control the illumination polarizer drive mechanism 1061 and the imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062 independently of each other. If only one of the illumination polarizer drive mechanism 1061 or the imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062 is provided, the control unit 1030 controls that polarizer drive mechanism.

[0100] The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 (illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 and / or imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062) may be configured to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarized component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarized component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E examined by the imaging polarizer 1021. The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 configured in this way is an example of a first polarizer driving mechanism.

[0101] If the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes only the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 can relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarized component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarized component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E examined by the imaging polarizer 1021 by driving the illumination polarizer 1012.

[0102] Conversely, if the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes only the imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 can relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E by the imaging polarizer 1021 by driving the imaging polarizer 1021.

[0103] Furthermore, if the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes both the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 and the imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 can relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarized component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarized component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E examined by the imaging polarizer 1021 by performing either the driving of the illumination polarizer 1012 or the driving of the imaging polarizer 1021.

[0104] In addition to or instead of this, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 can relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E examined by the imaging polarizer 1021 by performing both the driving of the illumination polarizer 1012 and the driving of the imaging polarizer 1021.

[0105] According to the ophthalmic apparatus 1300 of this embodiment, the illumination polarizer 1012 is configured to drive to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light, and / or to drive the imaging polarizer 1021 to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the light returned from the eye E under examination. Therefore, imaging and measurement using polarization can be performed under various conditions.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the ophthalmic device 1300 of this embodiment, the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E under examination are relatively changed. Therefore, the combination of the polarization state of the light projected onto the eye E under examination and the polarization state of the light detected by the image sensor 1022 can be varied in various ways, making it possible to perform imaging and measurements using polarization under various conditions.

[0107] Figure 10 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1400 according to this embodiment includes a lighting system 1010, an imaging system 1020, and a control unit 1030 similar to those of the ophthalmic device 1000, as well as a moving mechanism 1050 and a polarizer driving mechanism 1060.

[0108] The moving mechanism 1050 in this embodiment may be the same as the moving mechanism 1500 included in the ophthalmic device 1200 described with Figures 5 to 7B. Similarly, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 in this embodiment may be the same as the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 included in the ophthalmic device 1300 described with Figures 8 to 9B. Thus, the ophthalmic device 1400 in this embodiment may have a hardware configuration combining the two ophthalmic devices 1200 and 1300 described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] The ophthalmic apparatus 1400 in this embodiment, including the moving mechanism 1050 and the polarizer driving mechanism 1060, can collect a series of shine-proof images (a group of shine-proof images) from the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination E, and can perform imaging and measurement using polarization under various conditions. In other words, the ophthalmic apparatus 1400 in this embodiment can apply imaging and measurement using polarization under various conditions to the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination E.

[0110] The moving mechanism 1050 moves the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 in a predetermined direction (scan direction). This scan direction may be fixed or variable. If the scan direction is variable, the control unit 1030 controls the moving mechanism 1050 to move the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 in a predetermined scan direction.

[0111] The scanning direction is typically horizontal or vertical. The horizontal direction is from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye E, or vice versa. The vertical direction is from the upper eyelid to the lower eyelid of the eye E, or vice versa. Alternatively, the scan may be performed by rotating the slit beam around the optical axis of the eye E or its vicinity.

[0112] As explained above, the scanning direction may be arbitrary, and the relationship between the scanning direction and the polarization direction may also be arbitrary. That is, the relationship between the direction of movement of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 by the moving mechanism 1050 and the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 may be freely set. Furthermore, the relationship between the direction of movement of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 by the moving mechanism 1050 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E examined by the imaging polarizer 1021 may be freely set.

[0113] For example, the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component can be arranged to be perpendicular to the scanning direction, while the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component can be arranged to be parallel to the scanning direction.

[0114] A specific example is shown in Figure 11. In this example, the imaging unit 2001, which includes an illumination system and an imaging system, is moved in the scanning direction 2002 by the moving mechanism 1050. The illumination system and imaging system provided in the imaging unit 2001 are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. Figure 11 is referenced to illustrate the relationship between the scanning direction and the polarization direction, and the control unit 1030, moving mechanism 1050, polarizer driving mechanism 1060, etc. are not shown.

[0115] The illumination system provided in the imaging unit 2001 includes a light source 2011 that emits light, a collimator lens 2012 that converts the light emitted from the light source 2011 into parallel light, a slit formation mechanism 2013 that generates slit illumination light from the parallel light generated by the collimator lens 2012, a polarizer plate 2014 that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light generated by the slit formation mechanism 2013, and an objective lens 2015 that guides the illumination polarization component (parallel light) that has passed through the polarizer plate 2014 to the eye under examination E. The illumination system may also include elements other than those listed above.

[0116] In this example, the polarizer 2014 is arranged to extract the polarization component of parallel light, but the arrangement of the polarizer is not limited to this, and the polarizer may be arranged to extract the polarization component of convergent light or the polarization component of divergent light.

[0117] The imaging system provided in the imaging unit 2001 includes an objective lens 2021 that collects the reflected light from the eye E on which illumination light (illumination polarization component) is projected, a polarizer 2022 that extracts the imaging polarization component from the reflected light collected by the objective lens 2021, and an image sensor 2023 that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the polarizer 2022. The imaging system may also include other elements.

[0118] As shown in its enlarged perspective view 2016, the polarizing plate 2014 of the illumination system is positioned to selectively allow light vibrating in a direction perpendicular to the scan direction 2002 to pass through. In contrast, as shown in its enlarged perspective view 2024, the polarizing plate 2022 of the imaging system is positioned to selectively allow light vibrating in a direction parallel to the scan direction 2002 to pass through.

[0119] Conversely to the above example, the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component can be arranged parallel to the scanning direction, while the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component can be arranged perpendicular to the scanning direction. Although this example is not illustrated, the configuration of this example can be achieved by rotating the polarizing plate 2014 of the illumination system in Figure 11 by 90 degrees around the illumination optical axis, and rotating the polarizing plate 2022 of the imaging system by 90 degrees around the imaging optical axis.

[0120] As in these examples, by arranging the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component to be orthogonal to each other (i.e., arranging them as orthogonal nicols), it is possible to selectively detect the light diffusely reflected by the eye E under examination, and thus it is possible to collect a series of diffuse reflection images from the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination. The diffuse reflection image is an image of the light component whose polarization information has changed due to reflection by the eye E under examination.

[0121] In another example, the polarization directions of both the illumination polarization component and the imaging polarization component can be positioned orthogonal to the scanning direction. Conversely, the polarization directions of both the illumination polarization component and the imaging polarization component can be positioned parallel to the scanning direction. By positioning the polarization directions of the illumination polarization component and the imaging polarization component parallel to each other (i.e., positioned as parallel nicols), as in these examples, it is possible to selectively detect light specularly reflected by the eye E under examination, thereby enabling the collection of a series of specular reflection images from the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination. A specular reflection image is an image of the light component whose polarization information did not change due to reflection by the eye E under examination.

[0122] According to the ophthalmic apparatus 1400 of this embodiment, it is possible to change the relationship between the direction of movement of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 by the moving mechanism 1050 and the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012.

[0123] Furthermore, the relationship between the direction of movement of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 by the movement mechanism 1050 and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E by the imaging polarizer 1021 can be changed.

[0124] For example, by combining the operation of changing the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and / or the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component with the operation of scanning the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination, it is possible to acquire two or more sets of shine-proof images corresponding to two or more different polarization directions.

[0125] Figures 12 and 13 show the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1500 according to this embodiment includes the same illumination system 1010, imaging system 1020, control unit 1030, and polarizer driving mechanism 1060 as the ophthalmic device 1300.

[0126] The imaging system 1020 in this embodiment includes a first imaging system 1020A and a second imaging system 1020B. The illumination system 1010 and the first imaging system 1020A are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions, and the illumination system 1010 and the second imaging system 1020B are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. The number of imaging systems is not limited to two, but may be three or more.

[0127] The first imaging system 1020A and the second imaging system 1020B are positioned in different directions relative to the eye E under examination. In other words, the first imaging system 1020A and the second imaging system 1020B are positioned to image the eye E under examination from different directions.

[0128] In some exemplary embodiments, the first imaging system 1020A and the second imaging system 1020B are arranged in opposite directions to the illumination system 1010. In this case, the relative position of the first imaging system 1020A with respect to the illumination system 1010 and the relative position of the second imaging system 1020B with respect to the illumination system 1010 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. For example, the angle that the optical axis of the first imaging system 1020A (first imaging optical axis) makes with respect to the optical axis of the illumination system 1010 (illumination optical axis) may be equal to or different from the angle that the optical axis of the second imaging system 1020B (second imaging optical axis) makes with respect to the illumination optical axis may be equal to or different.

[0129] The configuration and operation of the ophthalmic device 1500 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 13. The first imaging system 1020A includes a first imaging polarizer 1021A that extracts an imaging polarization component (first imaging polarization component) from the reflected light (first reflected light) from the eye E on which the slit illumination light is projected, and a first image sensor 1022A that detects the first imaging polarization component extracted by the first imaging polarizer 1021A.

[0130] Similarly, the second imaging system 1020B includes a second imaging polarizer 1021B that extracts an imaging polarization component (second imaging polarization component) from the reflected light (second reflected light) from the eye E onto which the slit illumination light is projected, and a second image sensor 1022B that detects the second imaging polarization component extracted by the second imaging polarizer 1021B.

[0131] In other words, the photographic polarizer of this embodiment includes a first photographic polarizer 1021A provided in the first photographic system 1020A and a second photographic polarizer 1021B provided in the second photographic system 1020B, and the image sensor of this embodiment includes a first image sensor 1022A provided in the first photographic system 1020A and a second image sensor 1022B provided in the second photographic system 1020B.

[0132] Here, the first reflected light is the light incident on the first imaging system 1020A, and the second reflected light is the light incident on the second imaging system 1020B. Furthermore, the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component may be the same or different.

[0133] The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 in this example includes an illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061, a first imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062A, and a second imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062B.

[0134] The illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 is configured to drive the illumination polarizer 1012 to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light.

[0135] The first imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062A is configured to drive the first imaging polarizer 1021A to change the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component extracted from the first reflected light from the eye E under examination.

[0136] Similarly, the second imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062B is configured to drive the second imaging polarizer 1021B to change the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component extracted from the second reflected light from the eye E under examination.

[0137] In the example shown in Figure 13, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes an illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 and two imaging polarizer driving mechanisms 1062A and 1062B. However, in another example, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 may not include the illumination polarizer driving mechanism 1061 and may only include the two imaging polarizer driving mechanisms 1062A and 1062B.

[0138] In the example shown in Figure 13, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 includes two imaging polarizer driving mechanisms 1062A and 1062B, but in another example, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 may include a single imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062. In this case, one of the polarization directions of the first imaging polarization component and the second imaging polarization component is fixed, while the other is variable.

[0139] In some exemplary embodiments, three or more imaging systems are provided. In such embodiments, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 may include three or more imaging polarizer driving mechanisms corresponding to the three or more imaging systems, or it may include one or more imaging polarizer driving mechanisms corresponding to one or more of the three or more imaging systems.

[0140] In the example shown in Figure 13, the control unit 1030 controls the illumination polarizer drive mechanism 1061, the first imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062A, and the second imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062B. The control unit 1030 may control the illumination polarizer drive mechanism 1061, the first imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062A, and / or the second imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062B in a coordinated manner, or they may be controlled independently of each other. Furthermore, the control unit 1030 may control the first imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062A and the second imaging polarizer drive mechanism 1062B in a coordinated manner, or they may be controlled independently of each other.

[0141] The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 in this embodiment (first imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062A and / or second imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062B) may be configured to relatively change the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component extracted by the first imaging polarizer 1021A from the first return light from the eye E under examination, and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component extracted by the second imaging polarizer 1021B from the second return light from the eye E under examination. The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 configured in this way is an example of a second polarizer driving mechanism.

[0142] Furthermore, the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 in the example shown in Figure 13 may be configured to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component extracted from the first return light from the eye E under examination by the first imaging polarizer 1021A, and / or to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light by the illumination polarizer 1012 and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component extracted from the second return light from the eye E under examination by the second imaging polarizer 1021B. Such a polarizer driving mechanism 1060 is an example of a combination of the first polarizer driving mechanism and the second polarizer driving mechanism.

[0143] According to the ophthalmic apparatus 1500 of this embodiment, since imaging and measurement using polarization can be performed using two or more imaging systems, the efficiency of imaging and measurement can be improved. For example, by performing imaging and measurement using polarization simultaneously using two or more imaging systems, the time required for imaging and measurement can be reduced.

[0144] According to the ophthalmic apparatus 1500 of this embodiment, the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component extracted by the first imaging polarizer 1021A from the first reflected light from the eye E under examination and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component extracted by the second imaging polarizer 1021B from the second reflected light from the eye E under examination can be changed relatively, so that imaging and measurement using polarization can be performed efficiently under various conditions.

[0145] According to the ophthalmic apparatus 1500 of this embodiment, it is possible to drive the illumination polarizer 1012 to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light, and to drive the first imaging polarizer 1021A and / or the second imaging polarizer 1021B to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the light returned from the eye E under examination, or both, so that imaging and measurement using polarization can be performed under various conditions.

[0146] According to the ophthalmic device 1500 of this embodiment, the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light and the polarization direction of the polarization component extracted from the light reflected from the eye E under examination (first imaging polarization component and / or second imaging polarization component) can be changed relative to each other. This makes it possible to change the combination of the polarization state of the light projected onto the eye E under examination and the polarization state of the light detected by the image sensor 1022 (first image sensor 1022A and / or second image sensor 1022B), thereby enabling imaging and measurement using polarization under various conditions.

[0147] Figure 14 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the invention. The ophthalmic device 1600 according to this embodiment includes a lighting system 1010, an imaging system 1020 (first imaging system 1020A and second imaging system 1020B), a control unit 1030, and a polarizer driving mechanism 1060, similar to the ophthalmic device 1500, in addition to a moving mechanism 1050. Furthermore, the ophthalmic device 1600 of this embodiment can be said to be a combination of the ophthalmic device 1400, which includes the moving mechanism 1050 and the polarizer driving mechanism 1060, and the ophthalmic device 1500, which includes the first imaging system 1020A and the second imaging system 1020B.

[0148] The ophthalmic device 1600 in this embodiment is equipped with a moving mechanism 1050 and a polarizer driving mechanism 1060, so that imaging and measurement under various conditions using polarization can be applied to the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination. Furthermore, since the ophthalmic device 1600 in this embodiment is equipped with two or more imaging systems, the efficiency of imaging and measurement can be improved. Therefore, the ophthalmic device 1600 in this embodiment can efficiently perform imaging and measurement of the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination based on various conditions using polarization.

[0149] In this embodiment, the movement direction (scanning direction) of the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 by the moving mechanism 1050 may be freely set. Furthermore, the relationship between the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component (first imaging polarization component and / or second imaging polarization component) extracted from the reflected light from the eye E examined by the imaging polarizer 1021 (first imaging polarizer 1021A and / or second imaging polarizer 1021B) and the scanning direction may also be freely set.

[0150] For example, the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component can be arranged to be perpendicular to the scanning direction, while the polarization directions of both the first imaging polarization component and the second imaging polarization component can be arranged to be parallel to the scanning direction.

[0151] A specific example is shown in Figure 15. In this example, the imaging unit 3001, which includes an illumination system and an imaging system, is moved in the scanning direction 3002 by a moving mechanism 1050. The illumination system and imaging system provided in the imaging unit 3001 are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. Figure 15 is referenced to illustrate the relationship between the scanning direction and the polarization direction, and the control unit 1030, moving mechanism 1050, polarizer driving mechanism 1060, etc. are not shown.

[0152] The illumination system provided in the imaging unit 3001 includes a light source 3011 that emits light, a collimator lens 3012 that converts the light emitted from the light source 3011 into parallel light, a slit formation mechanism 3013 that generates slit illumination light from the parallel light generated by the collimator lens 3012, a polarizing plate 3014 that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light generated by the slit formation mechanism 3013, and an objective lens 3015 that guides the illumination polarization component (parallel light) that has passed through the polarizing plate 3014 to the eye under examination E. The illumination system may also include elements other than those listed above.

[0153] In this example, the polarizer plate 3014 is arranged to extract the polarization component of parallel light, but the arrangement of the polarizer is not limited to this, and the polarizer may be arranged to extract the polarization component of convergent light or the polarization component of divergent light.

[0154] The imaging unit 3001 is equipped with a first imaging system and a second imaging system.

[0155] The first imaging system includes a first objective lens 3021A that focuses the first reflected light from the eye E on which illumination light (illumination polarization component) is projected, a first polarizing plate 3022A that extracts a first imaging polarization component from the first reflected light focused by the first objective lens 3021A, and a first image sensor 3023A that detects the first imaging polarization component extracted by the first polarizing plate 3022A.

[0156] Similarly, the second imaging system includes a second objective lens 3021B that focuses the second reflected light from the eye E on which illumination light (illumination polarization component) is projected, a second polarizer 3022B that extracts the second imaging polarization component from the second reflected light focused by the second objective lens 3021B, and a second image sensor 3023B that detects the second imaging polarization component extracted by the second polarizer 3022B.

[0157] Furthermore, the first and second shooting systems may include elements other than those described above.

[0158] As shown in its enlarged perspective view 3016, the polarizing plate 3014 of the illumination system is arranged to selectively allow light vibrating in a direction perpendicular to the scan direction 3002 to pass through. In contrast, as shown in its enlarged perspective view 3024A, the first polarizing plate 3022A is arranged to selectively allow light vibrating in a direction parallel to the scan direction 3002 to pass through. Similarly, as shown in its enlarged perspective view 3024B, the second polarizing plate 3022B is arranged to selectively allow light vibrating in a direction parallel to the scan direction 3002 to pass through.

[0159] Conversely to the above example, the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component can be arranged parallel to the scanning direction, while the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component and / or the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component can be arranged perpendicular to the scanning direction. Although this example is not shown, the configuration of this example can be achieved by rotating the polarizing plate 3014 of the illumination system in Figure 15 by 90 degrees around the illumination optical axis, and by rotating the first polarizing plate 3022A by 90 degrees around the first imaging optical axis (and / or by rotating the second polarizing plate 3022B by 90 degrees around the second imaging optical axis).

[0160] In another example, the polarization direction of both the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component (first imaging polarization component and / or second imaging polarization component) can be arranged to be orthogonal to the scan direction. Conversely, the polarization direction of both the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component (first imaging polarization component and / or second imaging polarization component) can be arranged to be parallel to the scan direction.

[0161] As mentioned above, the types of images obtained vary depending on the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. For example, a diffuse reflection image is obtained in the case of orthogonal nicols, and a specular reflection image is obtained in the case of parallel nicols.

[0162] According to the ophthalmic apparatus 1600 of this embodiment, different types of images can be acquired simultaneously by differentiating the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component. For example, by making the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the first imaging polarization component parallel to each other, and making the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component orthogonal to each other, it is possible to simultaneously generate a specular reflection image by the first imaging system 1020A and a diffuse reflection image by the second imaging system 1020B.

[0163] Furthermore, the combination of image types acquired simultaneously is not limited to a combination of specular reflection images and diffuse reflection images.

[0164] Figure 16 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the invention. The ophthalmic device 1700 according to this embodiment includes an illumination system 1010, an imaging system 1020, a control unit 1030, and a polarizer driving mechanism 1060, similar to the ophthalmic device 1300, in addition to an image processing unit 1070.

[0165] The image processing unit 1070 processes the image of the eye E being examined, which is generated by the ophthalmic device 1700. The image processing unit 1070 includes hardware elements such as a processor and a storage device. The storage device stores computer programs such as image processing programs. The functions of the image processing unit 1070 are realized through the cooperation of software such as image processing programs and hardware such as the processor.

[0166] The type of processing applied to the image of the eye E by the image processing unit 1070 may be arbitrary. One example of the image processing unit 1070 is shown in Figure 17. The image processing unit 1070 of the ophthalmic device 1710 in this example includes an image generation unit 1071.

[0167] The image generation unit 1071 generates a new image from the image of the eye E being examined, which is generated by the ophthalmic device 1710. The image generation unit 1071 includes hardware elements such as a processor and a storage device. The storage device stores computer programs such as an image generation program. The function of the image generation unit 1071 is realized through the cooperation of software such as the image generation program and hardware such as the processor.

[0168] An example of the operation performed by the ophthalmic device 1710 will be described with further reference to Figure 18. First, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 to position the illumination polarizer 1012 and the imaging polarizer 1021 in a quadrature nicol state. In this state, the eye under examination E is imaged by the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 (S1). This acquires a diffuse reflectance image of the eye under examination E.

[0169] Furthermore, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 to position the illumination polarizer 1012 and the imaging polarizer 1021 in a parallel nicol state. In this state, the subject eye E is imaged by the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 (S2). This acquires a specular reflection image of the subject eye E.

[0170] In another operational example, the process of acquiring a diffuse reflection image may be performed after the process of acquiring a specular reflection image. In yet another operational example, the process of acquiring a specular reflection image and the process of acquiring a diffuse reflection image may be performed simultaneously by using the first imaging system 1020A and the second imaging system 1020B.

[0171] Furthermore, the image generation unit 1071 generates an image free of specular reflection noise based on the diffuse reflection image acquired in step S1 and the specular reflection image acquired in step S2 (S3).

[0172] A specific example of the processing in step S3 will be explained with further reference to Figure 19. In this example, the anterior segment of the eye E under examination is radiographed. Reference numeral 4001 indicates the specular reflection image acquired in step S2, and reference numeral 4002 indicates the diffuse reflection image acquired in step S1. Generally, in anterior segment radiographing, Scheinproof radiographing is performed with a relatively large amount of light. Therefore, a strong reflection image 4001a from the anterior segment occurs in the specular reflection image 4001. This reflection image 4001a is specular reflection noise. On the other hand, specular reflection noise does not occur in the diffuse reflection image 4002.

[0173] In step S3, the image generation unit 1071 first analyzes the specular reflection image 4001 to identify the image region (specular reflection noise region) corresponding to the specular reflection noise 4001a. This specular reflection noise region identification process includes, for example, known image segmentation and known anterior segment shape analysis.

[0174] The specular reflection noise region identification process may be performed using an inference model constructed by machine learning. For example, this inference model can be constructed by applying machine learning to a neural network (e.g., a convolutional neural network) using training data that includes a set of eye images (e.g., Scheinproof images of the eye, and / or images of the eye acquired with other modalities). The constructed inference model takes an eye Scheinproof image as input and functions to output information indicating the specular reflection noise region in this Scheinproof image. The output information may be, for example, the specular reflection noise region itself, coordinates indicating the extent of the specular reflection noise region, or a figure indicating the extent of the specular reflection noise region (a figure tracing the contour of the specular reflection noise).

[0175] Next, the image generation unit 1071 identifies an image region (corresponding region) in the diffuse reflection image that is spatially corresponding to the specular reflection noise region identified from the specular reflection image 4001. This corresponding region identification process includes, for example, registration between the specular reflection image 4001 and the diffuse reflection image 4002.

[0176] If the ophthalmic device 1710 includes two (or more) imaging systems and a specular reflection image 4001 and a diffuse reflection image 4002 are acquired simultaneously, the image generation unit 1071 can perform registration between the specular reflection image 4001 and the diffuse reflection image 4002 based, for example, on the known positional relationship between the two imaging systems.

[0177] On the other hand, if the specular reflection image 4001 and the diffuse reflection image 4002 are acquired at different times, the image generation unit 1071 can, for example, detect feature points from the specular reflection image 4001 and feature points from the diffuse reflection image 4002, and perform registration between the specular reflection image 4001 and the diffuse reflection image 4002 using the feature points detected from the specular reflection image 4001 and the feature points detected from the diffuse reflection image 4002.

[0178] Next, the image generation unit 1071 processes the specular reflection noise region in the specular reflection image 4001 based on the corresponding region identified from the diffuse reflection image 4002. As one example, this processing may be a process of replacing the specular reflection noise region with the corresponding region. As another example, this processing may include a process of improving the image quality of the corresponding region and a process of replacing the specular reflection noise region with the corresponding region with improved image quality. As yet another example, this processing may be a process of combining the specular reflection noise region and the corresponding region. As yet another example, this processing may be a process of improving the image quality of the corresponding region and a process of combining the corresponding region with improved image quality and the specular reflection noise region.

[0179] The image generation unit 1071 generates a new image 4003 that does not contain specular reflection noise, based on a specular reflection image 4001 that contains specular reflection noise and a diffuse reflection image 4002 that does not contain specular reflection noise.

[0180] The image 4003 generated in this manner has advantages equivalent to the specular reflection image 4001 (brightness, detail, etc.) but does not contain specular reflection noise, making it suitable for the diagnosis (observation, analysis, evaluation, etc.) of the eye E under examination.

[0181] Another example of the image processing unit 1070 is shown in Figure 20. In this example, the image processing unit 1070 of the ophthalmic device 1720 includes an analysis unit 1072.

[0182] The analysis unit 1072 is configured to apply predetermined analysis processing to the image of the eye E under examination, which is generated by the ophthalmic device 1720. The analysis unit 1072 includes hardware elements such as a processor and a storage device. The storage device stores computer programs such as analysis programs. The functions of the analysis unit 1072 are realized through the cooperation of software such as analysis programs and hardware such as processors.

[0183] Referring further to Figure 21, an example of the operation performed by the ophthalmic device 1720 will be described. In this example, the analysis unit 1072 performs a comparative analysis of diffuse reflection images and specular reflection images.

[0184] First, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 to position the illumination polarizer 1012 and the imaging polarizer 1021 in a cross-polarized state. In this state, the subject eye E is imaged by the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 (S11). This acquires a diffuse reflectance image of the subject eye E.

[0185] Furthermore, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 to position the illumination polarizer 1012 and the imaging polarizer 1021 in a parallel nicol state. In this state, the subject eye E is imaged by the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 (S12). This acquires a specular reflection image of the subject eye E.

[0186] Similar to the operation shown in Figure 18, the step of acquiring a diffuse reflection image may be performed after the step of acquiring a specular reflection image, or the steps of acquiring a specular reflection image and acquiring a diffuse reflection image may be performed simultaneously.

[0187] Furthermore, the analysis unit 1072 performs a comparative analysis of the diffuse reflection image acquired in step S11 and the specular reflection image acquired in step S12 (S13). The comparative analysis performed in step S13 may be of any type. Below, an example of comparative analysis will be described, specifically the examination of floating objects present in the eye.

[0188] Examples of intraocular floaters include floaters in the anterior chamber such as inflammatory cells (anterior chamber cells) and proteins (anterior chamber flares), and floaters in the vitreous humor such as vitreous fibers and detached retinal cells. Since intraocular floaters are mobile, it is desirable to reduce image blurring of these floaters by using intermittent illumination as shown in Figure 6B. However, continuous illumination as shown in Figure 6A may also be used.

[0189] Furthermore, when imaging intraocular floaters, relatively high-intensity illumination is used, taking into account the small size of the floaters and the small amount of light reflection from them. Therefore, there is a high possibility of specular reflection noise occurring, and the adverse effects of the resulting specular reflection noise are relatively large. Accordingly, the usefulness of this embodiment, which considers both specular and diffuse reflection images, is considered to be high.

[0190] In this example, the information generated by the analysis unit 1072 may be any type of information relating to any type of floating matter present inside the eye E under examination. Examples of such information include the identification of the type of floating matter (discrimination of floating matter), the density of floating matter, the number of floating matter, the location of floating matter, the distribution of floating matter, whether or not a specific disease has occurred, the state of the onset of the specific disease, the duration of the specific disease, the progress of the specific disease, and the activity state of the specific disease.

[0191] The analysis unit 1072 can, for example, identify the type of floating object based on the intensity ratio between the specular reflection image and the diffuse reflection image. To this end, the analysis unit 1072 first applies image segmentation to the specular reflection image to identify the image region corresponding to the floating object (floating object region), and then applies image segmentation to the diffuse reflection image to identify the image region corresponding to the floating object (floating object region).

[0192] Next, the analysis unit 1072 performs registration between the specular reflection image and the diffuse reflection image. Based on the results of this registration, it associates the positions (coordinates) of one or more floating object regions identified from the specular reflection image with the positions (coordinates) of one or more floating object regions identified from the diffuse reflection image. This identifies and associates the image regions in the specular reflection image and the image regions in the diffuse reflection image that correspond to the same floating object.

[0193] Next, the analysis unit 1072 determines the intensity value of the floating object region in the specular reflection image corresponding to one floating object, and also determines the intensity value of the floating object region in the diffuse reflection image corresponding to the same floating object. The intensity value is determined based on the pixel value.

[0194] For example, the intensity value may be any statistic calculated from the pixel values ​​in the floating object region. This statistic may be, for example, the mean, variance, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, mode, median, etc.

[0195] Next, the analysis unit 1072 compares the intensity value of the floating object region (first floating object region) in the specular reflection image corresponding to one floating object with the intensity value of the floating object region (second floating object region) in the diffuse reflection image corresponding to the same floating object.

[0196] In some exemplary embodiments, the analysis unit 1072 calculates the ratio T1 / T2 of the intensity T1 of a first floating substance region to the intensity T2 of a second floating substance region, and compares this ratio T1 / T2 with a predetermined threshold TH. For example, the analysis unit 1072 may be configured to estimate that the floating substance is a macrophage if the absolute value abs(T1 / T2) of the ratio T1 / T2 is greater than or equal to the threshold TH, and to estimate that the floating substance is a lymphocyte if the absolute value abs(T1 / T2) of the ratio T1 / T2 is less than the threshold TH.

[0197] When determining the density of suspended particles, the analysis unit 1072 performs, for example, the process of setting an image area of ​​predetermined dimensions (for example, an image area of ​​1 millimeter square) and the process of counting the number of suspended particles contained in the set image area.

[0198] Here, the dimensions of the image area (e.g., dimensions in real space, such as "1 millimeter") are defined based on, for example, the specifications of the optical system of the ophthalmic device 1720 (e.g., design data and / or measured data of the optical system), and are typically defined as the correspondence between pixels and dimensions in real space (e.g., dot pitch).

[0199] The density information of suspended matter obtained in this way can be used, for example, to evaluate (classify) uveitis.

[0200] The number, location, and distribution of suspended particles can be determined in the same manner as the density of suspended particles. Furthermore, information regarding specific diseases can be obtained by using known evaluation methods for the target specific disease, similar to the evaluation of uveitis.

[0201] According to this embodiment, it is possible to evaluate intraocular floating objects by utilizing polarization.

[0202] While methods for identifying airborne particles based on the evaluation of reflection wavelength characteristics using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are known, the method of evaluating intraocular airborne particles by combining an illumination and imaging system that satisfies shine-proof conditions with polarization technology, as in this embodiment, is not publicly known to the applicant, and there are no documents suggesting such a method. Here, a method for identifying suspended particles based on the evaluation of reflection wavelength characteristics using OCT is disclosed in the following document: RUOBING QIAN, RYAN P. MCNABB, KEVIN C. ZHOU, HAZEM M. MOUSA, DANIEL R. SABAN, VICTOR L. PEREZ, ANTHONY N. KUO, AND JOSEPH A. IZATT, “In vivo quantitative analysis of anterior chamber white blood cell mixture composition using spectroscopic optical coherence tomography”, Vol. 12, No. 4 / 1 April 2021 / Biomedical Optics Express, pp. 2134-2148.

[0203] Figure 22 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1800 according to this embodiment includes a polarization information generation unit 1080 in addition to the illumination system 1010, imaging system 1020, and control unit 1030, which are the same as those of the ophthalmic device 1000.

[0204] The polarization information generation unit 1080 is configured to generate polarization information representing the polarization state of the reflected light from the eye E to which illumination light is projected by the illumination system 1010, based on the image generated by the imaging system 1020.

[0205] More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 above, the illumination system 1010 outputs slit illumination light from the light source unit 1011, extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light from the illumination polarizer 1012, and projects the extracted illumination polarization component onto the eye E under examination.

[0206] Furthermore, the imaging system 1020 extracts the imaging polarization component of the reflected light from the eye E onto which the illumination polarization component has been projected using the imaging polarizer 1021, and detects the extracted imaging polarization component using the image sensor 1022.

[0207] In addition, the polarization information generation unit 1080 generates polarization information representing the polarization state of the reflected light from the eye E under examination, based on the imaging polarization component detected by the imaging system 1022. The polarization information represents the polarization characteristics of the eye E under examination.

[0208] The polarization information generation unit 1080 includes hardware elements such as a processor and a memory device. The memory device stores computer programs such as a polarization information generation program. The functions of the polarization information generation unit 1080 are realized through the cooperation of software such as the polarization information generation program and hardware such as the processor.

[0209] The type of polarization information generated by the polarization information generation unit 1080 can be arbitrary, and may be values ​​of any polarization parameter, such as Stokes parameters (Stokes vectors), degree of polarization, degree of circular polarization, degree of elliptically polarized light, surface normal, retardation, average intensity, and intensity in each polarization direction.

[0210] Figure 23 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1810 according to this embodiment includes a visual information generation unit 1085 in addition to the illumination system 1010, imaging system 1020, control unit 1030, and polarization information generation unit 1080, which are the same as those of the ophthalmic device 1800.

[0211] The visual information generation unit 1085 is configured to generate visual information based on polarization information generated by the polarization information generation unit 1080. Visual information is information perceived using vision, in other words, a representation that stimulates vision (visual representation, visualization), and includes images, charts, maps, tables, lists, etc. For example, the visual information generation unit 1085 generates visual information based on the value of the polarization parameter obtained by the polarization information generation unit 1080.

[0212] Examples of visual information include visual representations that show characteristic parts of a Scheinproof image (parts that are distinctive from the perspective of polarization parameters) (e.g., highlighting the area where the graft has taken hold in an eye after corneal transplantation), visual representations that show parts of a Scheinproof image that are presumed to be lesions (e.g., highlighting the lesions of the cornea), visual representations that show the distribution of polarization parameter values ​​(e.g., a color map showing the flow state of the filtration bleb), and visual representations that show the results of evaluations based on polarization parameter values ​​(e.g., a color map showing the severity of a specific disease).

[0213] Figure 24 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1820 according to this embodiment includes an illumination system 1010, an imaging system 1020, a control unit 1030, and a polarization information generation unit 1080, similar to those of the ophthalmic device 1800.

[0214] The imaging system 1020 of the ophthalmic device 1820 includes a first imaging system 1020A and a second imaging system 1020B, similar to the imaging system 1020 of the ophthalmic device 1500 shown in Figure 12. In this embodiment as well, the illumination system 1010 and the first imaging system 1020A are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions, and the illumination system 1010 and the second imaging system 1020B are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions.

[0215] Furthermore, similar to the configuration shown in Figure 13, the photographic polarizer 1021 in this embodiment includes a first photographic polarizer 1021A provided in the first photographic system 1020A and a second photographic polarizer 1021B provided in the second photographic system 1020B.

[0216] In addition, the image sensor 1022 of this embodiment includes a first image sensor 1022A provided in the first imaging system 1020A and a second image sensor 1022B provided in the second imaging system 1020B.

[0217] The polarization information generation unit 1080 in this embodiment can generate polarization information based on a first imaging polarization component extracted from the first reflected light from the eye E under examination by the first imaging polarizer 1021A and detected by the first image sensor 1022A, and a second imaging polarization component extracted from the second reflected light from the eye E under examination by the second imaging polarizer 1021B and detected by the second image sensor 1022B.

[0218] According to the ophthalmic device 1820 of this embodiment, the operation for generating polarization information can be performed using two or more imaging systems, thereby improving the efficiency of polarization information generation.

[0219] The ophthalmic apparatus 1820 of this embodiment can be combined with a polarizer driving mechanism 1060. This makes it possible to relatively change the polarization direction of the first photographic polarization component extracted by the first photographic polarizer 1021A from the first return light from the eye under examination E, and the polarization direction of the second photographic polarization component extracted by the second photographic polarizer 1021B from the second return light from the eye under examination E, thereby enabling the efficient generation of polarization information under various conditions.

[0220] Figure 25 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1830 according to this embodiment includes a lighting system 1010, an imaging system 1020, a control unit 1030, and a polarization information generation unit 1080, similar to the ophthalmic device 1800, in addition to a moving mechanism 1050.

[0221] The moving mechanism 1050 of the ophthalmic device 1830 is configured to move the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020, similar to the moving mechanism 1050 of the ophthalmic device 1200 in Figure 5. The moving mechanism 1050 operates under the control of the control unit 1030. With this configuration, the ophthalmic device 1830 can apply scans, for example, as shown in Figures 6A to 7B, to the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination to collect a series of shine-proof images.

[0222] The polarization information generation unit 1080 in this embodiment can generate polarization information based on a group of Scheinproof images collected from the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination. Here, the polarization information generation unit 1080 may generate polarization information directly from the group of Scheinproof images collected from the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination, or it may generate polarization information from data obtained by processing the group of Scheinproof images collected from the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination. As an example of the latter, the polarization information generation unit 1080 can generate polarization information based on a three-dimensional image constructed based on the group of Scheinproof images or a rendering image thereof.

[0223] According to this embodiment, polarization information can be generated based on a series of shineproof images collected by scanning the eye E under examination using an illumination system 1010 and an imaging system 1020 that satisfy the shineproof conditions, thereby enabling the acquisition of polarization information relating to the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination. This makes it possible to determine the three-dimensional distribution of the polarization characteristics of the eye E under examination and to perform a three-dimensional evaluation of the eye E under examination.

[0224] Figure 26 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the model. The ophthalmic device 1840 according to this embodiment includes, in addition to the illumination system 1010, imaging system 1020, control unit 1030, and polarization information generation unit 1080 similar to the ophthalmic device 1800, a moving mechanism 1050 and a polarizer driving mechanism 1060.

[0225] The moving mechanism 1050 of the ophthalmic device 1840 is configured to move the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020, similar to the moving mechanism 1050 of the ophthalmic device 1200 in Figure 5. The control of the moving mechanism 1050 is performed by the control unit 1030. With this configuration, the ophthalmic device 1840 can apply scans, for example, as shown in Figures 6A to 7B, to the three-dimensional region of the eye under examination and collect a series of shine-proof images.

[0226] The polarizer driving mechanism 1060 of the ophthalmic device 1840 is configured, similar to the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 of the ophthalmic device 1300 in Figure 8, to drive the illumination polarizer 1012 to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light, and / or to drive the imaging polarizer 1021 to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E under examination. The control of the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 is performed by the control unit 1030.

[0227] This configuration allows the ophthalmic device 1840 to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component extracted from the slit illumination light and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E under examination.

[0228] Figure 27 shows one example of the operation of the ophthalmic device 1840 according to this embodiment. This example is one example of the operation of determining the Stokes parameter as polarization information.

[0229] In this example, the illumination polarizer 1012 is fixed, and only the imaging polarizer 1021 is driven. That is, in this example, the polarization direction of the illumination polarized component projected onto the eye E is constant, while the polarization direction of the imaging polarized component extracted from the reflected light from the eye E is variable. In another example, the imaging polarizer 1021 is fixed, and only the illumination polarizer 1012 is driven. In yet another example, both the illumination polarizer 1012 and the imaging polarizer 1021 are driven.

[0230] First, the imaging unit (illumination system 1010 and imaging system 1020) is positioned at a reference position (S21). This reference position is, for example, the position directly in front of the eye E being examined, and more specifically, the neutral position in the axial direction of the subject's body (Y direction, vertical direction), and the neutral position in the left-right direction (X direction, horizontal direction) that is perpendicular to both the axial direction of the body and the axial direction of the eye E being examined (Z direction, depth direction, height direction). The movement of the imaging unit to the reference position is performed automatically and / or manually.

[0231] Next, the optical system (illumination system 1010 and imaging system 1020) is aligned with the eye E under examination (S22). The alignment is performed automatically and / or manually. Other preparatory operations may also be performed.

[0232] Next, the imaging unit is moved to the scan start position (S23). The movement of the imaging unit to the scan start position is performed automatically and / or manually.

[0233] Once the imaging unit is positioned at the scan start position, the ophthalmic device 1840 starts scanning the eye E under examination (S24). The control unit 1030 starts scanning in response to a predetermined event. This event may be, for example, a user instruction or the completion of step S22.

[0234] Upon the start of scanning, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 (imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062) to position the imaging polarizer 1021 at the 0-degree position (S25). The 0-degree position is the state of the imaging polarizer 1021 such that the angle between the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component is 0 degrees (parallel). In other words, the 0-degree position is the arrangement of the imaging polarizer 1021 such that the transmission axis direction of the illumination polarizer 1012 and the transmission axis direction of the imaging polarizer 1021 coincide (they are arranged in parallel).

[0235] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 to take an image of the eye E under examination. This yields an image G0 corresponding to the 0-degree position (S26). The acquired image G0 is stored in a storage device (not shown).

[0236] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 (photography polarizer driving mechanism 1062) to position the photography polarizer 1021 at a 45-degree angle (S27). The 45-degree position is the state of the photography polarizer 1021 such that the angle between the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the photography polarization component is 45 degrees.

[0237] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 to take an image of the eye E being examined. This produces an image G corresponding to the 45-degree position. 45 The result is obtained (S28). Acquired image G 45 It is stored in a storage device not shown in the diagram.

[0238] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer driving mechanism 1060 (imaging polarizer driving mechanism 1062) to position the imaging polarizer 1021 at a 90-degree angle (S29). The 90-degree position is the state of the imaging polarizer 1021 such that the angle between the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component is 90 degrees.

[0239] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the illumination system 1010 and the imaging system 1020 to take an image of the eye E being examined. This produces an image G corresponding to the 90-degree position. 90is obtained (S30). The acquired image G 90 is stored in a storage device (not shown).

[0240] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the polarizer drive mechanism 1060 (the photographing polarizer drive mechanism 1062) to arrange the photographing polarizer 1021 at the 135-degree position (S31). The 135-degree position is the state of the photographing polarizer 1021 such that the angle formed by the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the photographing polarization component is 135 degrees.

[0241] Next, the control unit 1030 controls the illumination system 1010 and the photographing system 1020 to photograph the subject eye E. Thereby, an image G 135 is obtained (S32). The acquired image G 135 is stored in a storage device (not shown).

[0242] With the above, the photographing at the scan start position is completed. The control unit 1030 determines whether the scan has ended (S33).

[0243] For example, when the photographing at the scan end position is completed, the scan ends. A predetermined number of scan positions are set between the scan start position and the scan end position. For example, when the distance from the scan start position to the scan end position is 10 millimeters and the number of scan positions is 100, the interval between scan positions (the distance between two adjacent scan positions) is 0.1 millimeter. This interval between scan positions (scan interval) does not have to be constant. The plurality of scan positions are ordered according to their arrangement.

[0244] Let the number of scan positions to which photographing is applied be N, and the N scan positions be represented as P1 to P N as shown. The four images acquired at the nth scan position P n are G0(P n ), G 45 (P n ), G 90 (P n ) and G 135 (Pn This is shown by ).

[0245] If the scan is not yet complete (S33: No), the control unit 1030 controls the movement mechanism 1050 to move the imaging unit to the next scan position (S34).

[0246] The movement of the imaging unit may be continuous, as shown in Figure 6A, or intermittent, as shown in Figure 6B. When the imaging unit is moved continuously, the series of steps S25 to S32 are executed at high speed. As a result, four images G0, G are acquired. 45 , G 90 and G 135 This depicts substantially the same position in the eye E being examined, and the same nth scan position P. n It is associated with.

[0247] When the imaging unit is moved continuously, step S34 corresponds to the operation of moving to the next scan position for imaging. On the other hand, when the imaging unit is moved intermittently, step S34 corresponds to the operation of moving the imaging unit by a distance equal to the above-mentioned scan interval.

[0248] The series of steps S25 to S34 are repeated until it is determined in step S33 that the scan is complete (S33: Yes). This allows each of the N scan positions (the nth scan position P) to be determined. n Regarding the four images G0(P n ), G 45 (P n ), G 90 (P n ) and G 135 (P n ) is obtained.

[0249] Next, the polarization information generation unit 1080 generates the image G0 acquired in step S26 and the image G acquired in step S28. 45 Image G obtained in step S30 90 , and image G obtained in step S32 135Based on this, Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2, S3) are calculated (S35). The method for calculating the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2, S3) is well-known. The Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2, S3) are calculated for each pixel position.

[0250] Furthermore, the polarization information generation unit 1080 obtains an average intensity image and a degree of polarization based on the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2, S3) calculated in step S35. The control unit 1030 causes the obtained average intensity image and degree of polarization to be displayed on a display device (not shown). Also, the control unit 1030 stores the obtained average intensity image and degree of polarization in a storage device (not shown) (S36).

[0251] The average intensity for generating the average intensity image is calculated by the following formula: √[(S0 2 +S1 2 ) / 2]. Also, the degree of polarization is calculated by the following formula: √[(S1 2 +S2 2 +S3 2 ) / S0]. The average intensity and the degree of polarization are calculated for each pixel position.

[0252] Based on the average intensity calculated for each pixel position, an intensity image as shown in FIG. 28A is formed. Similarly, based on the degree of polarization calculated for each pixel position, a degree-of-polarization image as shown in FIG. 28B is formed. The degree-of-polarization image in FIG. 28B is obtained from the subject eye E after corneal transplantation. Since the polarization degree of the unfixed corneal segment is large, it is emphasized in the degree-of-polarization image. <(

[0253] The information obtained from the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2, S3) calculated in step S36 is not limited to the average intensity image and the degree of polarization, and may be any type of information.

[0254] When the number of imaging systems 1020 provided in the ophthalmic device 1840 is one, the four imaging operations in steps S26, S28, S30, and S32 are sequentially performed. On the other hand, when the number of imaging systems 1020 provided in the ophthalmic device 1840 is two, for example, the imaging operations in step S26 and the imaging operation in step S28 are performed simultaneously, and the imaging operation in step S30 and the imaging operation in step S32 are performed simultaneously.

[0255] In some exemplary aspects of the embodiment, the imaging polarizer may include a polarizing plate disposed obliquely with respect to the optical axis of the imaging system. The imaging unit 2001A shown in FIG. 29A is a modification of the imaging unit 2001 in FIG. 11. In the imaging unit 2001 of FIG. 11, the polarizing plate 2022 of the imaging system is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the optical axis (imaging optical axis) of the imaging system. In contrast, in the imaging unit 2001A, the polarizing plate 2022A of the imaging system is disposed parallel to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 2023. Since the illumination system and the imaging system of the imaging unit 2001A are configured to satisfy the shine-proof condition, the light receiving surface of the imaging element 2023 is disposed obliquely with respect to the imaging optical axis.

[0256] Another example is shown in FIG. 29B. The imaging unit 2001B shown in FIG. 29B is a modification of the imaging unit 2001 in FIG. 11. Reference numeral 2024 in FIG. 29B indicates a direction orthogonal to the imaging optical axis, and reference numeral 2025 indicates a direction parallel to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 2023. In the imaging unit 2001B, the polarizing plate 2022B of the imaging system is disposed so as to be oriented in a direction between the direction 2024 (first direction) orthogonal to the imaging optical axis and the direction 2025 (second direction) parallel to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 2023.

[0257] The ophthalmic device in some exemplary aspects may include a mechanism for changing the orientation of the polarizing plate provided in the imaging system. Thereby, it becomes possible to dispose the polarizing plate in a desired orientation or an appropriate orientation.

[0258] Figure 30 shows the configuration of an ophthalmic apparatus according to one embodiment of the model. The imaging unit 4001 of the ophthalmic apparatus according to this embodiment includes an illumination system and an imaging system. The illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions.

[0259] The illumination system includes a light source 4011 that emits light, a collimator lens 4012 that converts the light emitted from the light source 4011 into parallel light, a slit formation mechanism 4013 that generates slit illumination light from the parallel light generated by the collimator lens 4012, a polarizer plate 4014 that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light generated by the slit formation mechanism 4013, and an objective lens 4015 that guides the illumination polarization component (parallel light) that has passed through the polarizer plate 4014 to the eye under examination E. The illumination system may also include elements other than those listed above.

[0260] The imaging system includes an objective lens 4021 that collects the reflected light from the eye E onto which illumination light (illumination polarized component) is projected, and a polarization camera 4022 that detects the reflected light collected by the objective lens 4021. The imaging system may also include other elements. The polarization camera 4022 includes a polarizer array as an imaging polarizer and a photodiode array as an image sensor. In a standard polarization camera 4022, the lens array, the polarizer array (phase plate array), and the photodiode array are positioned and arranged on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

[0261] Figure 31 shows one specific example of the configuration of an ophthalmic device that can function in the various exemplary embodiments described above. Figure 31 is a top view.

[0262] The direction along the axis of the eye E being examined is defined as the Z direction, the direction perpendicular to this, which is left and right for the subject, is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X and Z directions (up and down direction, along the body axis) is defined as the Y direction.

[0263] The ophthalmic apparatus in this example is a slit lamp microscope system 1 having a configuration similar to that disclosed in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-213733 (International Publication No. 2019 / 240149)), and includes an illumination system 2, an imaging system 3, a video recording system 4, an optical path coupling element 5, a movement mechanism 6, a control unit 7, a data processing unit 8, a communication unit 9, and a user interface 10.

[0264] The cornea of ​​the eye E under examination is indicated by the symbol C, and the lens by the symbol CL. The anterior chamber corresponds to the region between the cornea C and the lens CL (the region between the cornea C and the iris).

[0265] For details of each element of the slit lamp microscope system 1, please refer to Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-213733 (International Publication No. 2019 / 240149)).

[0266] Illumination system 2 projects illumination light onto the anterior segment of the eye E under examination. Reference numeral 2a indicates the optical axis (illumination optical axis) of illumination system 2. Illumination system 2 includes an illumination polarizer 2b. Furthermore, illumination system 2 includes a light source and other components (not shown).

[0267] The imaging system 3 images the anterior segment of the eye onto which illumination light from the illumination system 2 is projected. Reference numeral 3a indicates the optical axis (imaging optical axis) of the imaging system 3. The optical system 3A guides the reflected light from the anterior segment of the eye E onto which the slit light is projected to the image sensor 3B. The optical system 3A includes an imaging polarizer 3b, etc. The image sensor 3B receives the light guided by the optical system 3A on its imaging surface. The image sensor 3B includes an area sensor (CCD area sensor, CMOS area sensor, etc.) having a two-dimensional imaging area.

[0268] The illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 function as a Scheinproof camera, and are configured such that the object surface along the illumination optical axis 2a, the optical system 3A, and the imaging surface of the image sensor 3B satisfy the Scheinproof condition; that is, the YZ plane (including the object surface) passing through the illumination optical axis 2a, the main surface of the optical system 3A, and the imaging surface of the image sensor 3B intersect on the same straight line.

[0269] With this configuration, the illumination system 2 and imaging system 3 can perform imaging with, for example, focus on the area from at least the posterior surface of the cornea C to the anterior surface of the lens CL (anterior chamber). Furthermore, the illumination system 2 and imaging system 3 can perform imaging with, for example, focus on the area from at least the apex of the anterior surface of the cornea C (Z=Z1) to the apex of the posterior surface of the lens CL (Z=Z2). Note that coordinate Z=Z0 indicates the intersection of the illumination optical axis 2a and the imaging optical axis 3a.

[0270] The video recording system 4 is a video camera that records video of the anterior segment of the eye E in parallel with the recording of the eye E by the illumination system 2 and the recording system 3. The optical path coupling element 5 connects the optical path of the illumination system 2 (illumination optical path) and the optical path of the video recording system 4 (video recording optical path).

[0271] A specific example of an optical system including illumination system 2, imaging system 3, video recording system 4, and optical path coupling element 5 is shown in Figure 32. The optical system shown in Figure 32 includes illumination system 20, which is an example of illumination system 2; left imaging system 30L and right imaging system 30R, which are examples of imaging system 3; video recording system 40, which is an example of video recording system 4; and beam splitter 47, which is an example of optical path coupling element 5. The optical system shown in Figure 32 is one example of a configuration including two imaging systems, as in the ophthalmic apparatus 1500 in Figure 15.

[0272] The symbol 20a indicates the optical axis of the illumination system 20 (illumination optical axis), the symbol 30La indicates the optical axis of the left imaging system 30L (left imaging optical axis), and the symbol 30Ra indicates the optical axis of the right imaging system 30R (right imaging optical axis). The angle θL indicates the angle between the illumination optical axis 20a and the left imaging optical axis 30La, and the angle θR indicates the angle between the illumination optical axis 20a and the right imaging optical axis 30Ra. The coordinate Z=Z0 indicates the intersection of the illumination optical axis 20a, the left imaging optical axis 30La, and the right imaging optical axis 30Ra.

[0273] The movement mechanism 6 moves the lighting system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R in the direction indicated by the arrow 49 (X direction).

[0274] The illumination light source 21 of the illumination system 20 outputs illumination light (for example, visible light), and the positive lens 22 refracts the illumination light. The slit forming unit 23 forms a slit and allows a part of the illumination light to pass through. The generated slit light is refracted by the objective lens groups 24 and 25, reflected by the beam splitter 47, and projected onto the anterior eye part of the eye to be examined E.

[0275] The reflector 31L and the imaging lens 32L of the left imaging system 30L guide the light from the anterior eye part onto which the slit light is projected by the illumination system 20 (the light traveling in the direction of the left imaging system 30L) to the imaging polarizer 33L. The light passing through the imaging polarizer 33L (imaging polarized component) is detected by the imaging device 34L. The imaging device 34L receives the guided imaging polarized component on the imaging surface 35L.

[0276] The left imaging system 30L repeatedly performs imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the movement mechanism 6. Thereby, a plurality of anterior eye part images (a series of shine-proof images) are obtained.

[0277] The object plane along the illumination optical axis 20a, the optical system including the reflector 31L and the imaging lens 32L, and the imaging surface 35L satisfy the conditions of shine-proof. The right imaging system 30R has the same configuration and function as the left imaging system 30L.

[0278] The collection of shine-proof images by the left imaging system 30L and the collection of shine-proof images by the right imaging system 30R are performed in parallel with each other.

[0279] The control unit 7 can synchronize the repeated imaging by the left imaging system 30L and the repeated imaging by the right imaging system 30R. Thereby, the correspondence between the series of shine-proof images obtained by the left imaging system 30L and the series of shine-proof images obtained by the right imaging system 30R is obtained.

[0280] Note that the process of obtaining the correspondence between the plurality of anterior eye part images obtained by the left imaging system 30L and the plurality of anterior eye part images obtained by the right imaging system 30R may be executed by the control unit 7 or the data processing unit 8.

[0281] The video recording system 40 records video of the anterior segment of the eye E under examination from a fixed position, in parallel with the recording by the left recording system 30L and the right recording system 30R. Light that has passed through the beam splitter 47 is reflected by the reflector 48 and enters the video recording system 40. The light that enters the video recording system 40 is refracted by the objective lens 41 and then imaged onto the imaging surface of the image sensor 43 (area sensor) by the imaging lens 42. The video recording system 40 is used for monitoring the movement of the eye E under examination, alignment, tracking, and processing the collected shine-proof images.

[0282] Returning to Figure 31, the moving mechanism 6 moves the lighting system 2 and the imaging system 3 together in the X direction.

[0283] The control unit 7 controls each part of the slit lamp microscope system 1. By controlling the illumination system 2, the imaging system 3, and the movement mechanism 6, and the video recording system 4 in parallel, the control unit 7 can perform the collection of a series of shineproof images and video recording (collection of a series of time-series images) in parallel.

[0284] Furthermore, the control unit 7 synchronizes the control of the lighting system 2, the shooting system 3, and the moving mechanism 6 with the control of the video shooting system 4, thereby synchronizing the collection of a series of shineproof images and the shooting of video.

[0285] If the imaging system 3 includes a left imaging system 30L and a right imaging system 30R, the control unit 7 can synchronize the repeated imaging by the left imaging system 30L (collection of a series of shine-proof images) and the repeated imaging by the right imaging system 30R (collection of a series of shine-proof images).

[0286] The control unit 7 includes a processor, a memory device, and the like. The memory device stores computer programs such as various control programs. The functions of the control unit 7 are realized through the cooperation of software such as control programs and hardware such as the processor. The control unit 7 controls the illumination system 2, the imaging system 3, and the movement mechanism 6 in order to scan the three-dimensional region of the eye E under examination using slit illumination light (and its illumination polarization component). For details of this control, please refer to Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-213733 (International Publication No. 2019 / 240149)).

[0287] The data processing unit 8 performs various data processing operations. The data processing unit 8 includes a processor, a memory device, and the like. The memory device stores computer programs, such as various data processing programs. The functions of the data processing unit 8 are realized through the cooperation of software, such as data processing programs, and hardware, such as a processor. The data processing unit 8 may be configured to perform any type of data processing described in the above embodiment, such as generating images free from specular reflection noise, comparative analysis of diffuse reflection images and specular reflection images, and generation of polarization information.

[0288] The communication unit 9 performs data communication between the slit lamp microscope system 1 and other devices. The user interface 10 includes any user interface devices such as a display device and an operating device.

[0289] The slit lamp microscope system 1 shown in Figures 31 and 32 is merely illustrative, and the configuration for implementing the ophthalmic apparatus or exemplary embodiments thereof is not limited to the slit lamp microscope system 1.

[0290] Some non-limiting features of the ophthalmic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

[0291] A first embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an illumination system that projects illumination light onto an eye under examination and an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination. The illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The illumination system includes a light source unit that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer that extracts an illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit. Furthermore, the illumination system projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The imaging system includes an imaging polarizer that extracts an imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light has been projected, and an image sensor that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0292] A second embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the first embodiment, further including a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system.

[0293] A third embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the second embodiment, further including a first control unit that causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism.

[0294] A fourth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the first to third embodiments, which includes an illumination polarizer moving mechanism for inserting and removing the illumination polarizer from the optical path of the illumination system and an imaging polarizer moving mechanism for inserting and removing the imaging polarizer from the optical path of the imaging system.

[0295] A fifth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the first to fourth embodiments, further comprising a polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both.

[0296] A sixth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the fifth embodiment, wherein the polarizer driving mechanism includes a first polarizer driving mechanism that drives either or both the illumination polarizer and the photography polarizer in order to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the photography polarization component.

[0297] A seventh embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the sixth embodiment, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system, and a first control unit that causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by performing at least control of the imaging system and control of the moving mechanism.

[0298] An eighth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the seventh embodiment, wherein the first control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the illumination system and the imaging system move in a predetermined direction. The first polarizer driving mechanism drives either or both the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component is perpendicular to the predetermined direction of movement and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component is parallel to the predetermined direction of movement.

[0299] A ninth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the fifth to eighth embodiments, wherein the imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system. The illumination system and the first imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The illumination system and the second imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The imaging polarizer includes a first imaging polarizer provided in the first imaging system and a second imaging polarizer provided in the second imaging system. The image sensor includes a first image sensor provided in the first imaging system and a second image sensor provided in the second imaging system.

[0300] A tenth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to the ninth embodiment, which includes a second polarizer driving mechanism that drives the first and / or the second photographic polarizer in order to relatively change the polarization direction of the first photographic polarization component extracted by the first photographic polarizer from the first reflected light from the eye under examination and the polarization direction of the second photographic polarization component extracted by the second photographic polarizer from the second reflected light from the eye under examination.

[0301] An eleventh embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to the tenth embodiment, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system, and a first control unit that causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by performing at least control of the imaging system and control of the moving mechanism.

[0302] A twelfth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the eleventh embodiment, wherein the first control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the illumination system and the imaging system move in a predetermined movement direction. The polarization direction of the illumination polarization component is oriented so as to be perpendicular to the predetermined movement direction. The second polarizer driving mechanism drives either or both of the first imaging polarizer and the second imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of both the first imaging polarization component and the polarization direction of the second imaging polarization component are parallel to the predetermined movement direction.

[0303] A thirteenth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the fifth to twelfth embodiments, further including a second control unit that controls the polarizer driving mechanism to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination corresponding to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component.

[0304] A 14th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 13th embodiment, wherein the second control unit causes the imaging system to generate a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination by driving one or both of the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer such that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are orthogonal to each other.

[0305] A 15th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 14th embodiment, wherein the second control unit further causes the imaging system to generate a specular reflection image of the eye under examination by driving one or both of the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer such that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are parallel to each other.

[0306] A sixteenth embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, further including an image generation unit that generates an image of the eye under examination that does not contain specular reflection noise based on the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image.

[0307] A 17th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to the 15th or 16th embodiment, further including an analysis unit that performs comparative analysis of the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image.

[0308] An 18th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the 1st to 17th embodiments, further including a polarization information generation unit that generates polarization information representing the polarization state of the reflected light from the eye under examination based on the imaging polarization component detected by the image sensor.

[0309] A 19th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 18th embodiment, wherein the imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system. The illumination system and the first imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The illumination system and the second imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The imaging polarizer includes a first imaging polarizer provided in the first imaging system and a second imaging polarizer provided in the second imaging system. The image sensor includes a first image sensor provided in the first imaging system and a second image sensor provided in the second imaging system.

[0310] A 20th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 19th embodiment, wherein the polarization information generation unit generates the polarization information based on a first photographic polarization component extracted from the first reflected light from the eye under examination by the first photographic polarizer and detected by the first image sensor, and a second photographic polarization component extracted from the second reflected light from the eye under examination by the second photographic polarizer and detected by the second image sensor.

[0311] A 21st embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the 18th to 20th embodiments, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system, and a first control unit that causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by performing at least control of the imaging system and control of the moving mechanism. The polarization information generation unit generates the polarization information based on the series of images.

[0312] A 22nd embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the 18th to 21st embodiments, further comprising: a polarizer driving mechanism that drives an illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and / or drives a photographic polarizer to change the polarization direction of the photographic polarization component; and a second control unit that controls the polarizer driving mechanism to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the photographic polarization component. The second control unit controls the polarizer driving mechanism to realize two or more combinations of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the photographic polarization component. The polarization information generation unit generates the polarization information based on two or more photographic polarization components detected by the image sensor, corresponding to each of the two or more combinations.

[0313] A 23rd embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 22nd embodiment, wherein the second control unit controls the polarizer driving mechanism so that the relative angle between the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component is one of four values: 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees. The polarization information generation unit determines the Stokes parameter based on the four imaging polarization components detected by the image sensor, corresponding to each of the four values ​​of the relative angle.

[0314] A 24th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the 18th to 23rd embodiments, further including a visual information generation unit that generates visual information based on the polarization information generated by the polarization information generation unit.

[0315] A 25th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the 1st to 24th embodiments, wherein the imaging polarizer includes a polarizing plate arranged at an inclination with respect to the optical axis of the imaging system.

[0316] A 26th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 25th embodiment, wherein the polarizing plate is arranged parallel to the light-receiving surface of the image sensor.

[0317] A 27th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is the ophthalmic apparatus of the 25th embodiment, wherein the polarizing plate is oriented in a direction between a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging system and a second direction parallel to the light-receiving surface of the image sensor.

[0318] A 28th embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ophthalmic apparatus according to any of the 1st to 27th embodiments, wherein the imaging system includes a polarizer camera that includes a polarizer array as the imaging polarizer and a photodiode array as the image sensor.

[0319] As described herein, ophthalmic devices having these non-limiting features make it possible to improve ophthalmic imaging.

[0320] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that by combining any of the features described herein with an ophthalmic device having any of the non-limiting characteristics, it is possible to further improve ophthalmic imaging and provide a variety of applications for ophthalmic imaging.

[0321] <Other Embodiments> While embodiments of ophthalmic devices have been described so far, the embodiments relating to this disclosure are not limited to ophthalmic devices. Embodiments other than ophthalmic devices include control methods, programs, and recording media for ophthalmic devices. Similar to the embodiments of ophthalmic devices, these embodiments can also improve image quality in ophthalmic imaging.

[0322] One embodiment of the control method for an ophthalmic device is a method for controlling an ophthalmic device.

[0323] This ophthalmic device includes an illumination system that projects slit illumination light onto the eye under examination, an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination, a movement mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, and a processor. Furthermore, the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The illumination system includes a light source that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source, and projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The imaging system includes an imaging polarizer that extracts the imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye onto which the slit illumination light was projected, and an image sensor that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0324] The method according to this embodiment causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by having a processor included in the ophthalmic device perform at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism.

[0325] Any of the matters described herein can be combined with the methods according to these embodiments.

[0326] A program according to one embodiment is for operating an ophthalmic device.

[0327] This ophthalmic device includes an illumination system that projects slit illumination light onto the eye under examination, an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination, a movement mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, and a processor. Furthermore, the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The illumination system includes a light source that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source, and projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The imaging system includes an imaging polarizer that extracts the imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye onto which the slit illumination light was projected, and an image sensor that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0328] The program according to this embodiment is configured to cause the imaging system to collect a series of images by having the processor included in the ophthalmic device perform at least control of the imaging system and control of the movement mechanism.

[0329] Any of the matters described in this disclosure can be combined with the program according to this embodiment.

[0330] One embodiment of the recording medium is a computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium on which a program for operating an ophthalmic device is recorded.

[0331] This ophthalmic device includes an illumination system that projects slit illumination light onto the eye under examination, an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination, a movement mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, and a processor. Furthermore, the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions. The illumination system includes a light source that outputs slit illumination light and an illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source, and projects the illumination polarization component extracted by the illumination polarizer onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The imaging system includes an imaging polarizer that extracts the imaging polarization component from the reflected light from the eye onto which the slit illumination light was projected, and an image sensor that detects the imaging polarization component extracted by the imaging polarizer.

[0332] The program recorded on the recording medium according to this embodiment is configured to cause the processor included in the ophthalmic device to collect a series of images by performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism.

[0333] Any of the matters described in this disclosure can be combined with the recording medium according to this embodiment.

[0334] The computer-readable non-temporary recording medium that can be used as a recording medium according to this embodiment may be any form of recording medium, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0335] Any aspect described in the embodiment of the ophthalmic device can be combined with embodiments other than the ophthalmic device.

[0336] For example, items arbitrarily selected from among the various items described as arbitrary embodiments of the ophthalmic device according to the embodiment can be combined with embodiments of the control method for the ophthalmic device, embodiments of the program, embodiments of the recording medium, and so on.

[0337] Furthermore, any of the matters described in this disclosure can be combined with embodiments of control methods for ophthalmic devices, embodiments of programs, embodiments of recording media, and so on.

Claims

1. An illumination system that projects illumination light onto the eye under examination, A photographic system for photographing the eye under examination and Includes, The aforementioned lighting system and the aforementioned imaging system are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The system further includes a polarization information generation unit that generates polarization information representing the polarization state of the reflected light from the eye under examination based on the imaging polarization component detected by the image sensor. Ophthalmology equipment.

2. The aforementioned imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system. The illumination system and the first imaging system are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. The aforementioned lighting system and the second imaging system are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. The aforementioned photographic polarizer includes a first photographic polarizer provided in the first photographic system and a second photographic polarizer provided in the second photographic system. The image sensor includes a first image sensor provided in the first imaging system and a second image sensor provided in the second imaging system. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The polarization information generation unit generates the polarization information based on a first imaging polarization component extracted from the first reflected light from the eye under examination by the first imaging polarizer and detected by the first image sensor, and a second imaging polarization component extracted from the second reflected light from the eye under examination by the second imaging polarizer and detected by the second image sensor. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2.

4. A moving mechanism for moving the lighting system and the imaging system, A first control unit that causes the imaging system to collect a series of images by performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, It further includes, The polarization information generation unit generates the polarization information based on the series of images. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. A second control unit controls the polarizer driving mechanism in order to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. It further includes, The second control unit controls the polarizer driving mechanism to realize two or more combinations of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The polarization information generation unit generates the polarization information based on two or more imaging polarization components detected by the image sensor, corresponding to each of the two or more combinations. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The second control unit controls the polarizer drive mechanism so that the relative angle between the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component is one of four values: 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees. The polarization information generation unit determines the Stokes parameters based on the four imaging polarization components detected by the image sensor, corresponding to the four values ​​of the relative angle. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a visual information generation unit that generates visual information based on the polarization information generated by the polarization information generation unit. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

8. An illumination system that projects illumination light onto the eye under examination, A photographic system for photographing the eye under examination and Includes, The aforementioned lighting system and the aforementioned imaging system are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, A polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. A second control unit controls the polarizer driving mechanism in order to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. It further includes, The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination that corresponds to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The second control unit causes the imaging system to generate a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination by driving either or both of the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer such that the polarization direction of the illumination polarizer and the polarization direction of the imaging polarizer are orthogonal to each other. The second control unit further causes the imaging system to generate a specular reflection image of the eye under examination by driving either or both of the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarizer and the polarization direction of the imaging polarizer are parallel to each other. The system further includes an image generation unit that generates an image of the eye under examination that does not contain specular reflection noise, based on the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image. Ophthalmology equipment.

9. An illumination system that projects illumination light onto the eye under examination, A photographic system for photographing the eye under examination and Includes, The aforementioned lighting system and the aforementioned imaging system are configured to satisfy the shine-proof conditions. The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, A polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. A second control unit controls the polarizer driving mechanism in order to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. It further includes, The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination that corresponds to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The second control unit causes the imaging system to generate a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination by driving either or both of the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer such that the polarization direction of the illumination polarizer and the polarization direction of the imaging polarizer are orthogonal to each other. The second control unit further causes the imaging system to generate a specular reflection image of the eye under examination by driving either or both of the illumination polarizer and the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarizer and the polarization direction of the imaging polarizer are parallel to each other. The system further includes an analysis unit that performs a comparative analysis of the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image. Ophthalmology equipment.

10. A method for controlling an ophthalmic apparatus comprising: an illumination system for projecting slit illumination light onto an eye under examination; an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination; a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system; and a processor, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The aforementioned processor, By performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, the imaging system is made to collect a series of images. Based on the polarization component detected by the image sensor, polarization information representing the polarization state of the reflected light from the eye under examination is generated. method.

11. A method for controlling an ophthalmic apparatus comprising: an illumination system for projecting slit illumination light onto an eye under examination; an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination; a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system; and a processor, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The aforementioned processor, By performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, the imaging system is made to collect a series of images. The ophthalmic apparatus further includes a polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. The aforementioned processor, The polarizer driving mechanism is controlled to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination corresponding to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are orthogonal to each other, the imaging system generates a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are parallel to each other, the imaging system generates a specular reflection image of the eye under examination. Based on the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image, an image of the eye under examination is generated that does not contain specular reflection noise. method.

12. A method for controlling an ophthalmic apparatus comprising: an illumination system for projecting slit illumination light onto an eye under examination; an imaging system for photographing the eye under examination; a moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system; and a processor, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The aforementioned processor, By performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, the imaging system is made to collect a series of images. The ophthalmic apparatus further includes a polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. The aforementioned processor, The polarizer driving mechanism is controlled to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination corresponding to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are orthogonal to each other, the imaging system generates a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are parallel to each other, the imaging system generates a specular reflection image of the eye under examination. Perform a comparative analysis of the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image. method.

13. A computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which a program is recorded causing a computer to execute control of an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an illumination system that projects slit illumination light onto an eye under examination, an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination, and a moving mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The program is installed on the computer. By performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, the imaging system is made to collect a series of images. Based on the polarization component detected by the image sensor, polarization information representing the polarization state of the reflected light from the eye under examination is generated. Recording medium.

14. A computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which a program is recorded causing a computer to execute control of an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an illumination system that projects slit illumination light onto an eye under examination, an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination, and a moving mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The program is installed on the computer. By performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, the imaging system is made to collect a series of images. The ophthalmic apparatus further includes a polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. The program is installed on the computer. The polarizer driving mechanism is controlled to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination corresponding to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are orthogonal to each other, the imaging system generates a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are parallel to each other, the imaging system generates a specular reflection image of the eye under examination. Based on the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image, an image of the eye under examination is generated that does not contain specular reflection noise. Recording medium.

15. A computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which a program is recorded causing a computer to execute control of an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an illumination system that projects slit illumination light onto an eye under examination, an imaging system that photographs the eye under examination, and a moving mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are configured to satisfy shine-proof conditions, The aforementioned lighting system is A light source unit that outputs slit illumination light, An illumination polarizer that extracts the illumination polarization component from the slit illumination light output by the light source unit, Includes, The illumination polarized component extracted by the illumination polarizer is projected onto the eye under examination as illumination light. The aforementioned imaging system is A photographic polarizer that extracts the photographic polarization component from the reflected light from the eye under examination onto which the slit illumination light is projected, An image sensor for detecting the photographic polarization component extracted by the aforementioned photographic polarizer, Includes, The program is installed on the computer. By performing at least the control of the imaging system and the control of the movement mechanism, the imaging system is made to collect a series of images. The ophthalmic apparatus further includes a polarizer driving mechanism that drives the illumination polarizer to change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component, and drives the imaging polarizer to change the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component, or both. The program is installed on the computer. The polarizer driving mechanism is controlled to relatively change the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. The imaging system generates an image of the eye under examination corresponding to a predetermined combination of the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are orthogonal to each other, the imaging system generates a diffuse reflection image of the eye under examination. By driving the illumination polarizer and / or the imaging polarizer so that the polarization direction of the illumination polarization component and the polarization direction of the imaging polarization component are parallel to each other, the imaging system generates a specular reflection image of the eye under examination. Perform a comparative analysis of the diffuse reflection image and the specular reflection image. Recording medium.

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