ophthalmic devices

Abstract

To provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of causing an operator to objectively grasp positional relationships between an eye to be examined and an acquisition optical system, and improving operability when the operator changes the position and direction of the acquisition optical system.SOLUTION: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes: an acquisition optical system 20 for acquiring eye information on an eye E to be examined; an electric position changing mechanism 15 for changing the position of the acquisition optical system 20 with respect to the eye E to be examined and an electric angle changing mechanism 17 for changing its direction; a display 25 that can be visually recognized by an examiner who operates the position changing mechanism 15 and the angle changing mechanism 17; and a control part 30 for displaying, in the display 25, positional relationship information J indicating positional relationships between the eye E to be examined and the acquisition optical system 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ophthalmic device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an ophthalmic device having an acquisition optical system for acquiring eye information of an examined eye has been known. In a conventional ophthalmic device, an operator such as an examiner touches an observation image of the examined eye displayed on a display having a touch panel function, and moves the acquisition optical system based on the touch operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a conventional ophthalmic device, it is necessary to estimate the positional relationship between the examined eye and the acquisition optical system based on the observation image of the examined eye displayed on the display. That is, when moving the acquisition optical system, the operator must move the acquisition optical system based on the subjective positional relationship estimated from the observation image. Therefore, if the positional relationship between the examined eye and the acquisition optical system estimated by the operator is different from the actual positional relationship, the acquisition optical system cannot be moved to a desired position. That is, in a conventional ophthalmic device, the operator cannot objectively grasp the positional relationship between the examined eye and the acquisition optical system, and there is a problem that the operability when the operator controls the position and orientation of the acquisition optical system is low.

[0005] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ophthalmic device that allows an operator to objectively grasp the positional relationship between an examined eye and an acquisition optical system and can improve the operability when the operator controls the position and orientation of the acquisition optical system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the ophthalmic apparatus of the present invention comprises: an acquisition optical system for acquiring eye information of an eye under examination; an electrically operated optical system changing mechanism for changing at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye under examination; a display visible to an examiner operating the optical system changing mechanism; and a control unit for displaying positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the eye under examination and the acquisition optical system on the display. The positional relationship information is displayed by an eyeball model image showing the internal structure of the eye under examination, a light beam image showing the light beam between the eye under examination and the acquisition optical system, and at least one of the optical axis image showing the optical axis of the acquisition optical system. The control unit displays a software key superimposed on the positional relationship information, and when the software key is operated, the optical system modification mechanism changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Therefore, the ophthalmic device of the present invention allows the operator to objectively understand the positional relationship between the eye under examination and the acquisition optical system, and improves the operability when the operator controls the position and orientation of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye under examination. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the ophthalmic device in Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the ophthalmic device in Example 1. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display of the ophthalmic device in Example 1. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship information displayed by the ophthalmic device of Example 1. [Figure 5A] (a) This is an explanatory diagram showing software keys superimposed on the positional relationship information of Example 1. (b) This is the first explanatory diagram showing the display of positional relationship information changed according to the orientation of the actual acquisition optical system. [Figure 5B] (c) This is a second explanatory diagram showing a modified display of positional relationship information according to the actual position of the acquisition optical system. (d) This is a third explanatory diagram showing a modified display of positional relationship information according to the actual position of the acquisition optical system. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing modified versions of the light beam image and optical axis image displayed as positional relationship information. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display of the ophthalmic device in Example 2. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship information displayed in the ophthalmic device of Example 2. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the positional relationship information in the ophthalmic device of Example 2. [Figure 10] (a) This is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the display of the ophthalmic device of Example 1. (b) This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the display in the third display area. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the display in the third display area shown in Figure 10(b). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments for implementing the ophthalmic device of the present invention will be described based on the drawings of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. In the following description, as viewed from the side facing the subject (examiner's side), the left-right direction is indicated by arrow X, the up-down direction (vertical direction) is indicated by arrow Y, and the direction perpendicular to the left-right and up-down directions is indicated by arrow Z as the front-back direction. In the left-right direction (X-axis direction), the left side of the examiner is considered the left direction, and the right side of the examiner is considered the right direction. Furthermore, in the front-back direction (Z-axis direction), the examiner's side is considered the front, and the subject's side is considered the back.

[0010] (Example 1) The configuration of the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] The ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1 is a fundus camera and has an acquisition optical system 20 that acquires a fundus image as eye information of the eye E under examination.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the ophthalmic device 10 includes a base 11, a stand 12, a main body 13, and a support column 14. The acquisition optical system 20 is housed in the main body 13.

[0013] The gantry 12 is installed on the base 11 and supported by the base 11 via the position changing mechanism 15. The position changing mechanism 15 is a known electric moving mechanism that moves the gantry 12 in the left - right direction (X - axis direction), front - back direction (Z - axis direction), and up - down direction (Y - axis direction) respectively. That is, the position changing mechanism 15 has an electric moving actuator 15a such as a stepping motor that generates a driving force for moving the gantry 12, and a transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the driving force generated by the moving actuator 15a to the gantry 12. And the position changing mechanism 15 moves the gantry 12 using the driving force of the moving actuator 15a. Note that the moving actuator 15a may be provided separately for moving the gantry 12 in the left - right direction, in the front - back direction, and in the up - down direction, or may be used in combination for moving in a plurality of directions.

[0014] Also, a control lever 16, which is an operation unit 26 described later, is provided on the gantry 12. The control unit 30 described later outputs a control command to the moving actuator 15a of the position changing mechanism 15, or the swing actuator 18a or the pitching actuator 19a of the angle changing mechanism 17 described later according to the operation when the control lever 16 is operated by an examiner who is an operator. An operation button 16a is arranged at the tip of the control lever 16. The control unit 30 outputs a control command for imaging the fundus image of the test eye E to the acquisition optical system 20 when the operation button 16a is pressed by the examiner.

[0015] The main body 13 is installed on the gantry 12 and supported by the gantry 12 via the angle changing mechanism 17. Here, the main body 13 houses the acquisition optical system 20 and the control unit 30 (see FIG. 2). Also, an objective lens unit 21 and an eyepiece lens unit 22 are provided on the main body 13. Further, a still camera 23 and an imaging device 24 are removably connected to the main body 13.

[0016] The angle changing mechanism 17 is a known electric moving mechanism that rotates the main body 13 in the left - right direction and the up - down direction. The angle changing mechanism 17 has a swing mechanism 18 and a tilt mechanism 19.

[0017] The swing mechanism 18 has an electric swing actuator 18a such as a stepping motor that generates a driving force for rotating the main body 13, and a transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the driving force generated by the swing actuator 18a to the main body 13. The swing mechanism 18 uses the driving force of the swing actuator 18a to rotate the main body 13 in the left - right direction (X - axis direction) about a preset rotation axis 18b (reference axis). Here, the rotation axis 18b passes through a predetermined position set on the rear side in the front - rear direction (Z - axis direction) relative to the acquisition optical system 20 and is set as a straight line extending in the up - down direction (Y - axis direction). The acquisition optical system 20 is aligned so that the rotation axis 18b coincides with the pupil center position of the eye E to be examined. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the pupil center position of the eye E to be examined coincides with the rotation axis 18b.

[0018] The tilt mechanism 19 has an electric tilt actuator 19a such as a stepping motor that generates a driving force for rotating the main body 13, and a transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the driving force generated by the tilt actuator 19a to the main body 13. The tilt mechanism 19 uses the driving force of the tilt actuator 19a to rotate the main body 13 in the up - down direction (Y - axis direction) about a preset central axis 19b (reference axis). Here, the central axis 19b passes through the position where the rotation axis 18b and the optical axis O of the acquisition optical system 20 intersect and is set as a straight line extending in the left - right direction (X - axis direction).

[0019] In the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Example 1, the position change mechanism 15 automatically moves the stand 12 in the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions, and the angle change mechanism 17 automatically rotates the main body 13, which is mounted on the stand 12, in the left-right and up-down directions. That is, the position of the acquisition optical system 20 housed in the main body 13 is changed in the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions along with the stand 12 by the position change mechanism 15, and the rotation angle (direction) of the main body 13 in the left-right and up-down directions is changed by the angle change mechanism 17. Therefore, the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 correspond to an electrically operated optical system changing mechanism that changes the position and direction of the acquisition optical system 20 relative to the eye E under examination.

[0020] The support column 14 stands upright from the base 11 and extends vertically. The support column 14 is equipped with a chin rest 14a, a forehead rest 14b, and an external fixation light 14c. The chin rest 14a and forehead rest 14b fix the position of the subject's (patient's) face, i.e., the position of the subject's eye E, relative to the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20) when acquiring eye information of the subject's eye E. The chin rest 14a is where the subject rests their chin, and the forehead rest 14b is where the subject rests their forehead. The chin rest 14a and forehead rest 14b are each movable vertically relative to the base 11. The external fixation light 14c is a light source that fixates (fixes the line of sight) on the subject's eye E. In the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the subject rests their chin on the chin rest 14a and their forehead against the forehead rest 14b, facing the main body 13, and the external fixation light 14c is turned on as appropriate to perform examination, observation, and photography of the subject's eye E.

[0021] The acquisition optical system 20 housed in the main unit 13 is an optical system for acquiring ocular information (fundus image) of the eye E under examination. The acquisition optical system 20 includes an illumination optical system for illuminating the fundus Ef, an imaging optical system for observing and photographing the illuminated fundus Ef, an objective lens, an eyepiece lens, and the like.

[0022] The illumination optical system forms a ring of light-transmitting image of the observation illumination on the pupil of the eye E in order to use the fundus reflection image from the eye E during fundus observation. Furthermore, during fundus photography, the illumination optical system illuminates the fundus Ef by flashing a xenon lamp. In the case of fluorescence imaging, the illumination optical system can switch the exciter filter depending on whether FAG or ICG imaging is being performed. Additionally, in the case of color imaging, the exciter filter is retracted from the optical path.

[0023] The imaging optical system guides the reflected light from the eye E, which has been illuminated by the illumination optical system, to the imaging medium of the still camera 23 or the image sensor of the imaging device 24, enabling observation and imaging of the fundus Ef.

[0024] The objective lens section 21 is composed of the objective lens (not shown) of the acquisition optical system 20 housed in the lens barrel. The objective lens section 21 is positioned opposite the eye under examination E. The eyepiece section 22 is composed of the eyepiece (not shown) of the acquisition optical system 20 housed in the lens barrel. The eyepiece section 22 is where the examiner observes the eye under examination E.

[0025] The still camera 23 captures a still image of the fundus Ef of the eye E being examined via the acquisition optical system 20. Depending on the purpose of the examination, the still camera 23 may be a digital camera equipped with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a film camera, an instant camera, etc. The imaging device 24 captures a moving image of the fundus Ef of the eye E being examined via the acquisition optical system 20. The imaging device 24 may be a television camera, etc. If a digital imaging system is used for the still camera 23 or the imaging device 24, the acquired image data can be stored on the recording medium of the ophthalmic device 10 or on an external image recording device such as a computer.

[0026] Furthermore, the main unit 13 is provided with a display 25. The display 25 is positioned to face the examiner while acquiring eye information. The display 25 is a display device that can be viewed by the examiner, who is the operator of the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17. The display 25 consists of a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel function on the display screen 25a (see Figure 3).

[0027] The display screen 25a of the display 25 appropriately displays, under the control of the control unit 30, an image of the fundus Ef of the eye E under examination based on image data from the acquisition optical system 20, as well as software keys for the operation unit 26. In addition, positional relationship information J, which will be described later, is displayed on the display screen 25a.

[0028] The operation unit 26 is used by the examiner or subject to operate and set the chin rest 14a, forehead rest 14b, position change mechanism 15, angle change mechanism 17, acquisition optical system 20, etc. When operated by the examiner or subject, the operation unit 26 outputs a predetermined operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 30. Based on the operation signal from the operation unit 26, the control unit 30 outputs predetermined control commands to the chin rest 14a, forehead rest 14b, position change mechanism 15, angle change mechanism 17, acquisition optical system 20, etc. As a result, the operation and settings of the chin rest 14a, etc. are controlled.

[0029] The operation unit 26 consists of a control lever 16, an operation button 16a provided at the tip of the control lever 16, and software keys displayed on the display 25. The software keys enable the operation of various functions such as alignment of the acquisition optical system 20, setting of various inspection conditions, and adjustment of the display content of the display 25. The operation unit 26 may also have various buttons provided around the control lever 16 and around the display 25. The operation unit 26 may also consist of an input device such as a keyboard or mouse.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 30 comprehensively controls the operation of the ophthalmic device 10 in response to operations on the operation unit 26 by loading programs stored in the storage unit 31 or the built-in internal memory 32 onto, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). In Embodiment 1, the internal memory 32 is composed of RAM or the like, and the storage unit 31 is composed of ROM (Read Only Memory) or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or the like.

[0031] In addition to the above-described configuration, the ophthalmic device 10 may also be appropriately equipped with a printer that prints measurement results in response to measurement completion signals or instructions from examiners, an output unit that outputs measurement results to external memory or a server, and an audio output unit that notifies the status of operation. The control unit 30 may be located inside the base 11 or the stand 12, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, the acquisition optical system 20 is connected to the control unit 30 via cables (not shown) inside the main unit 13. The control unit 30 controls and drives (including movement) the light source of the illumination optical system and the operating parts of the imaging optical system in the acquisition optical system 20. In addition, the control unit 30 is connected to a movement actuator 15a, a swivel actuator 18a, a tilt actuator 19a, a display 25, an operation unit 26 including a control lever 16 (operation button 16a) and software keys, a storage unit 31, a mount position sensor 33, a swivel sensor 34, a tilt sensor 35, and a distance sensor 36 via cables (not shown) inside the main unit 13. The control unit 30 controls the movement actuator 15a, the swivel actuator 18a, the tilt actuator 19a, and the display 25 by outputting predetermined control commands in response to operation signals from the operation unit 26. Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10, power is supplied to the control unit 30 from the commercial power supply, and the control unit 30 supplies power to each of the connected parts mentioned above.

[0033] The mount position sensor 33 is a sensor that detects the left-right and front-back positions of the mount 12 (acquisition optical system 20) on the base 11, and the up-down position of the mount 12 (acquisition optical system 20) relative to the base 11. The mount position sensor 33 outputs the detected position information of the mount 12 to the control unit 30. The mount position sensor 33 in Embodiment 1 has a fixed sensor attached to the base 11 and a movable sensor attached to the mount 12 that moves with the mount 12, and detects the position of the mount 12 in the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions relative to the base 11 based on the distance between the two sensors. The mount position sensor 33 may be a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor.

[0034] The swivel sensor 34 is a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20) in the left-right direction. The swivel sensor 34 outputs the detected angle information of the main body 13 to the control unit 30. The swivel sensor 34 in Embodiment 1 has a fixed sensor on the stand 12 side that supports the main body 13 and a movable sensor on the main body 13 side that moves together with the main body 13, and detects the rotation angle of the main body 13 in the left-right direction based on the distance between the two sensors. The swivel sensor 34 may be a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor.

[0035] The elevation sensor 35 is a sensor that detects the vertical rotation angle of the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20). The elevation sensor 35 outputs the detected angle information of the main body 13 to the control unit 30. The elevation sensor 35 in Embodiment 1 has a fixed sensor on the stand 12 side that supports the main body 13 and a movable sensor on the main body 13 side that moves together with the main body 13, and detects the vertical rotation angle of the main body 13 based on the distance between the two sensors. The elevation sensor 35 may be a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor.

[0036] The distance sensor 36 is a sensor that detects the distance from the main unit 13 (acquisition optical system 20) to the eye E under examination, that is, the distance between the two. The distance sensor 36 outputs the detected distance information to the control unit 30. The distance sensor 36 of Embodiment 1 detects the straight-line distance from the objective lens portion 21, which is the part of the main unit 13 that protrudes most towards the subject, to the eye E under examination. The distance sensor 36 is provided, for example, on the surface of the main unit 13 facing the subject. The distance sensor 36 of Embodiment 1 is equipped with a light source such as an LED or LD and a light-receiving element inside, and receives the reflected light from the object to be measured (for example, the subject's face) irradiated from the light source with the light-receiving element, converts it to distance and outputs it. Note that the distance sensor 36 is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1, as it can detect the distance (distance) from the main unit 13 to the eye E under examination, for example, by using ultrasound or infrared light or a stereo camera.

[0037] The following describes the display on the display 25 controlled by the control unit 30 of Embodiment 1.

[0038] In the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 30 sets a first display area 27a and a second display area 27b on the display screen 25a of the display 25. Here, the control unit 30 displays an image F of the fundus Ef of the eye under examination E acquired by the acquisition optical system 20 in the first display area 27a. The control unit 30 also displays positional relationship information J, which indicates the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20, in the second display area 27b. The size and arrangement of the first display area 27a and the second display area 27b can be set arbitrarily; for example, the control unit 30 may set the second display area 27b to cover the entire display screen 25a. The control unit 30 may also display any image, information, software keys, etc. other than image F in the first display area 27a. Furthermore, the control unit 30 may also display any image, information, software keys, etc. in areas other than the first display area 27a and the second display area 27b.

[0039] Furthermore, "positional relationship information J" is information that objectively represents the actual position of the acquisition optical system 20 relative to the actual position of the eye being examined E. Positional relationship information J is calculated by the control unit 30 based on the distance in the left-right direction from the eye being examined E to the acquisition optical system 20, the distance in the front-back direction from the eye being examined E to the acquisition optical system 20, the vertical distance from the eye being examined E to the acquisition optical system 20, the left-right rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 around the rotation axis 18b, the vertical rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 around the central axis 19b, and so on. The control unit 30 obtains the distance information and rotation angle information necessary for calculating positional relationship information J from the detection results of the stand position sensor 33, the swivel sensor 34, the elevation sensor 35, and the distance sensor 36. Alternatively, the control unit 30 may obtain positional relationship information J from the amount of movement of the movement actuator 15a, the swivel actuator 18a, and the elevation actuator 19a.

[0040] In Example 1, the positional relationship information J is displayed by the first graphic image 41 shown in Figure 4. The first graphic image 41 includes a first icon 41A showing an eyeball model representing the eye E under examination, and a second icon 41B showing an apparatus model representing the ophthalmic apparatus 10 including the acquisition optical system 20.

[0041] The first icon 41A and the second icon 41B are shown using isometric projection. Here, "isometric projection" is a projection method in which an inclined three-dimensional object is drawn such that the angles formed in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions are equal (120 degrees) to each other. Therefore, the first graphic image 41 displayed using isometric projection is basically an oblique view of the eye E and the ophthalmic device 10 seen from diagonally above.

[0042] In Example 1, the first icon 41A is represented by an isometric projection image of an eyeball model schematically showing the eyeball E with its outer shell divided horizontally and its interior hollow. In Figure 4, the part of the eyeball E corresponding to the lens is denoted by the symbol α, and the part of the eyeball E corresponding to the fundus Ef is denoted by the symbol β. Furthermore, the first icon 41A is not limited to what is shown in Figure 4, but may be an eyeball model image schematically showing any part of the eyeball E (for example, only the anterior segment, only the lens, etc.). Alternatively, the first icon 41A may be an eyeball model image that schematically shows the entire internal structure, or the left half or right half, by displaying the outer shell of the eyeball E semi-transparently, or it may be an eyeball model image that schematically shows the internal structure by breaking off a part of the eyeball E (for example, the upper quarter). In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vascular image of the left half of the eye E under examination is superimposed on the eyeball model, but the vascular image does not necessarily have to be displayed.

[0043] On the other hand, the second icon 41B is represented by an isometric projection model image of an ophthalmic device 10, which includes an acquisition optical system 20, a position change mechanism 15, a control lever 16, and an angle change mechanism 17, including a swivel mechanism 18 and a tilt mechanism 19. In Figure 4, the second icon 41B is labeled with reference numeral 101 for the part representing the acquisition optical system 20, reference numeral 102 for the part representing the position change mechanism 15, reference numeral 103 for the part representing the control lever 16, reference numeral 104 for the part representing the swivel mechanism 18, and reference numeral 105 for the part representing the tilt mechanism 19. Furthermore, the device model image shown as the second icon 41B may have a different shape from the actual ophthalmic device 10, or may be partially enlarged, reduced, or deformed, in order to make it easier for the examiner to grasp the positional relationship information J. In the example shown in Figure 4, the acquisition optical system 20 is shown schematically in a reduced size to improve visibility.

[0044] The scale of the second icon 41B relative to the first icon 41A may be 1:1, or it may be enlarged or reduced to an arbitrary magnification. In the example shown in Figure 4, the second icon 41B is displayed reduced relative to the first icon 41A, so the first icon 41A, which mimics the eye under examination E, is displayed relatively enlarged, and the second icon 41B, which mimics the ophthalmic device 10, is displayed relatively reduced. By displaying the second icon 41B at a non-1:1 scale relative to the first icon 41A, the examiner can more easily grasp the positional relationship information J.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may superimpose and display an image showing the current state of the opacity distribution of the lens (hereinafter referred to as the "lens opacity distribution image") on the portion α corresponding to the lens of the eye E being examined in the first icon 41A. The detection of the lens opacity distribution is performed using a known device (e.g., a Shack-Hartmann sensor, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 6775337, etc.). Furthermore, the location of the lens opacity is determined by a known identification method (e.g., a method using optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-170710, etc.).

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may superimpose and display an image showing the current state of the retina (hereinafter referred to as the "retinal image") on the portion β corresponding to the fundus Ef of the eye E examined in the first icon 41A. The retinal image is composited onto the first icon 41A, which is an eyeball model image, based on known techniques (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-156622, etc.).

[0047] Furthermore, the lens opacity distribution image and the retinal image may be displayed in any area within the second display area 27b that does not overlap with the first icon 41A (so-called lantern display or balloon display).

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 30 displays, as positional relationship information J, superimposed on the first graphic image 41, as shown in Figure 4, a light beam image γ showing the light beam between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20, and an optical axis image δ showing the optical axis O directed from the acquisition optical system 20 to the eye E under examination.

[0049] The light beam image γ shows how light propagates between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20. Generally, fundus cameras use ring illumination to remove reflections from the cornea and lens of the eye E under examination. Therefore, the light beam of the imaging light passes through the center of the pupil of the eye E under examination, but the light beam of the illumination light does not pass through the center of the pupil. The light beam image γ superimposed on the first graphic image 41 may represent the light beam of the illumination light or the light beam of the imaging light.

[0050] Furthermore, the optical axis image δ indicates the direction of the light output from the acquisition optical system 20. In the ophthalmic device 10 of Embodiment 1, the optical axis image δ can be set by the examiner, and the control unit 30 is able to align the ophthalmic device 10 based on the set optical axis image δ.

[0051] Specifically, first, the examiner visually inspects the first graphic image 41 displayed in the second display area 27b. At this time, if a lens opacity distribution image is superimposed on the portion α representing the lens, the examiner can grasp the opacity distribution within the lens. The examiner then touches within portion α corresponding to the lens to specify the position of the optical axis O passing through the inside of the lens. Next, the examiner touches within portion β corresponding to the fundus Ef of the eye under examination to specify the position of the fundus Ef to be observed. At this time, if a retinal image is superimposed on portion β corresponding to the fundus Ef, the examiner will be touching the retinal image. Therefore, the examiner can specify the position to be observed while grasping the state of the retina of the fundus Ef. Subsequently, the control unit 30 identifies the touched position within portion α corresponding to the lens and the touched position within portion β corresponding to the fundus Ef of the eye under examination. The control unit 30 then displays a straight line connecting the touched position within portion α corresponding to the lens and the touched position within portion β representing the fundus Ef as the optical axis image δ. As a result, the examiner sets the optical axis image δ. After the optical axis image δ is set, the control unit 30 controls the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 to change the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 so that the optical axis O of the actual acquisition optical system 20 matches the optical axis image δ set by the examiner, thereby aligning the ophthalmic device 10.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 30 can rotate and display the first graphic image 41 around a predetermined position set within the second display area 27b. To rotate the first graphic image 41, the examiner may touch the first graphic image 41, or touch a software key (not shown) displayed at any position on the display screen 25a. The software key for rotating the first graphic image 41 may be displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. By rotating the first graphic image 41, the examiner can view the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20 from a desired angle.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5A(a) to 5B(d), the control unit 30 may display a first software key 42 and a second software key 43 in the second display area 27b, in addition to the first graphic image 41 showing positional relationship information J. In addition, the control unit 30 may superimpose and display a vertical line (rotation reference axis) L1 passing through the rotation point G of the eyeball and a rotation axis line 18b which is the rotation center of the head-swinging mechanism 18 on the first graphic image 41.

[0054] The first software key 42 is a software key that, when touched by an examiner, causes the control unit 30 to output a control command to the angle change mechanism 17. In response to the touch operation on the first software key 42, the control unit 30 rotates the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20) in the left-right or up-down direction.

[0055] In the example shown in Figures 5A(a) to 5B(d), the first software key 42 has a first arrow 42a, a second arrow 42b, a third arrow 42c, and a fourth arrow 42d. The first software key 42 is also displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. When the examiner touches the first arrow 42a, the control unit 30 rotates the main body 13 to the right. When the examiner touches the second arrow 42b, the control unit 30 rotates the main body 13 to the left. When the examiner touches the third arrow 42c, the control unit 30 rotates the main body 13 upward. When the examiner touches the fourth arrow 42d, the control unit 30 rotates the main body 13 downward.

[0056] The second software key 43 is a software key that, when touched by an examiner, causes the control unit 30 to output a control command to the position change mechanism 15. In response to the touch operation on the second software key 43, the control unit 30 moves the mount 12 (acquisition optical system 20) in one of the following directions: front-to-back, left-to-right, or up-and-down.

[0057] In the example shown in Figures 5A(a) to 5B(d), the second software key 43 has a fifth arrow 43a, a sixth arrow 43b, a seventh arrow 43c, an eighth arrow 43d, a ninth arrow 43e, and a tenth arrow 43f. The second software key 43 is also displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. When the examiner touches the fifth arrow 43a, the control unit 30 moves the stand 12 to the right. When the examiner touches the sixth arrow 43b, the control unit 30 moves the stand 12 to the left. When the examiner touches the seventh arrow 43c, the control unit 30 moves the stand 12 forward. When the examiner touches the eighth arrow 43d, the control unit 30 moves the stand 12 backward. When the examiner touches the ninth arrow 43e, the control unit 30 moves the stand 12 upward. When the examiner touches the tenth arrow 43f, the control unit 30 moves the stand 12 downward.

[0058] Furthermore, touch operations on the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 are not limited to normal single-tap operations, but may also include double-tap operations, long-press operations (long taps), flick operations in a predetermined direction, swipe operations in a predetermined direction, drag operations in a predetermined direction, pinch-in operations, pinch-out operations, etc.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 30 changes the control of the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 according to the type and number of touch operations, and the amount of operation (tap time, drag amount, etc.) on the first software key 42 or the second software key 43 displayed on the display 25. In other words, the direction and amount of movement of the stand 12 by the position change mechanism 15, and the rotation direction and rotation angle of the main body 13 by the angle change mechanism 17 are set according to the number of times the examiner taps the first arrow 42a, etc., and the amount of operation.

[0060] Furthermore, when the main body 13 is rotated horizontally or vertically, the control unit 30 of Embodiment 1 changes the display of the second icon 41B of the first graphic image 41 in accordance with the actual change in the rotation angle of the main body 13, as shown in Figure 5A(b). Also, when the position of the stand 12 is changed, the control unit 30 changes the display of the second icon 41B of the first graphic image 41 in accordance with the actual change in the position of the stand 12, as shown in Figures 5B(c) and 5B(d). As a result, the ophthalmic device 10 of Embodiment 1 can display the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20 in real time.

[0061] Furthermore, in this image, the vertical line (rotation reference axis) L1 passing through the rotation point G of the eyeball and the rotation axis line 18b, which is the rotation center of the head-shaking mechanism 18, are superimposed on the first graphic image 41. Therefore, the examiner can easily recognize the degree and direction of the positional misalignment between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20 based on the misalignment between the vertical line (rotation reference axis) L1 and the rotation axis line 18b.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5A(b), 5B(c), and (d), the control unit 30 also changes the display positions of the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 in accordance with the display change of the second icon 41B. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the operability of the first software key 42 and the second software key 43.

[0063] The operation of the ophthalmic device 10 in Example 1 will be explained below.

[0064] The ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1 includes an acquisition optical system 20, a position change mechanism 15 and an angle change mechanism 17, a display 25, and a control unit 30. The acquisition optical system 20 acquires eye information of the eye E under examination. The position change mechanism 15 has an electric movable actuator 15a, and uses the power of the movable actuator 15a to change the position of the acquisition optical system 20 in the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions. The angle change mechanism 17 has an electric swivel actuator 18a and an elevation actuator 19a. The angle change mechanism 17 uses the power of the swivel actuator 18a to change the rotation angle (direction) of the acquisition optical system 20 in the left-right direction, and uses the driving force of the elevation actuator 19a to change the rotation angle (direction) of the acquisition optical system 20 in the up-down direction. The display 25 has a display screen 25a that can be viewed by the examiner, who is the operator of the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17. The control unit 30 then displays positional relationship information J, which indicates the positional relationship between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20, on the display screen 25a of the display 25.

[0065] Therefore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the positional relationship information J displayed on the display 25 allows the examiner, who is the operator, to objectively understand the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20. By objectively understanding the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20, the examiner can accurately recognize the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20, thereby improving operability when controlling the position and rotation angle (orientation) of the acquisition optical system 20.

[0066] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Example 1, the control unit 30 displays positional relationship information J using a first graphic image 41 which is shown by isometric projection, and which represents a first icon 41A representing an eyeball model showing the eye E being examined and a second icon 41B representing an apparatus model showing the ophthalmic apparatus 10 including the acquisition optical system 20.

[0067] As a result, the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Example 1 allows the examiner to grasp the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the ophthalmic apparatus 10 including the acquisition optical system 20 when viewed from above. Therefore, the examiner can easily recognize the general positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20.

[0068] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the control unit 30 displays a light beam image γ, which shows the light beam between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20, on the display 25 as positional relationship information J. Therefore, the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1 allows the examiner to objectively understand the progress of light between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20. As a result, the examiner can objectively recognize the light beam between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20 and then control the position and rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20, thereby improving operational accuracy.

[0069] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the control unit 30 displays an optical axis image δ, which indicates the optical axis O of the acquisition optical system 20, on the display 25 as positional relationship information J. Therefore, the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1 allows the examiner to objectively understand the direction of the optical axis O directed from the acquisition optical system 20 to the eye E under examination. As a result, the examiner can objectively recognize the position where the optical axis O of the acquisition optical system 20 passes over the eye E under examination, and then control the position and rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20, thereby improving operational accuracy.

[0070] In particular, in Example 1, both the light beam image γ and the optical axis image δ are displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. This makes it easier for the examiner to understand the state of the light beam between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20, as well as the direction of the optical axis O from the acquisition optical system 20.

[0071] Furthermore, the light beam image γ and the optical axis image δ do not necessarily have to be superimposed on the first graphic image 41. In other words, the ophthalmic device 10 only needs to allow the examiner to understand the state of the light beam and the direction of the optical axis O, so the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20 may be represented by geometric figures such as circles, squares, triangles, or ellipses, for example, as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the eye under examination E is represented by a circle 200, and the acquisition optical system 20 is represented by a square 201. In addition, in Figure 6, the part corresponding to the lens of the eye under examination E is labeled with the symbol α, and the part corresponding to the fundus Ef of the eye under examination E is labeled with the symbol β.

[0072] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the display 25 has a touch panel function. The control unit 30 displays the first software key 42 on the display 25, and when the first software key 42 is touched, the angle change mechanism 17 rotates the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20).

[0073] This allows the examiner to change the orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 by touching the first software key 42 displayed on the display 25. Therefore, the operability when changing the orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 can be improved.

[0074] In particular, in Example 1, the first software key 42 is displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. Therefore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, it is easier for the examiner to understand how the acquisition optical system 20 moves when the first software key 42 is touched. Moreover, the display of the first graphic image 41 and the first software key 42 changes in accordance with the actual movement of the main unit 13. In other words, the device model image (second icon 41B) displayed as the first graphic image 41 moves in the same way as the actual main unit 13. This makes it easier to understand the results of the touch operation of the first software key 42.

[0075] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1, the control unit 30 displays the second software key 43 on the display 25 which has a touch panel function, and when the second software key 43 is touched, the position change mechanism 15 moves the pedestal 12 (acquisition optical system 20).

[0076] This allows the examiner to change the position of the acquisition optical system 20 by touching the second software key 43 displayed on the display 25. Therefore, the operability when changing the position of the acquisition optical system 20 can be improved.

[0077] Furthermore, in Example 1, the second software key 43 is displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. Therefore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, it is easier for the examiner to understand how the acquisition optical system 20 moves when the second software key 43 is touched. Moreover, the display of the first graphic image 41 and the second software key 43 changes in accordance with the actual movement of the main unit 13. In other words, the device model image (second icon 41B) displayed as the first graphic image 41 moves in the same way as the actual stand 12. This makes it easier to understand the results of the touch operation of the second software key 43.

[0078] The control unit 30 does not necessarily have to superimpose the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 onto the first graphic image 41. The first software key 42 and the second software key 43 may be displayed independently at any position on the display screen 25a of the touch panel display 25.

[0079] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may use the first graphic image 41 as a first software key 42 or a second software key 43. In this case, when the first graphic image 41 is touched, the control unit 30 changes the position of the stand 12 or the rotation angle of the main body 13 using the position change mechanism 15 or the angle change mechanism 17. This makes it possible to give the examiner the sensation of directly moving the ophthalmic device 10, and makes it easier for them to grasp the movement of the acquisition optical system 20.

[0080] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the touch operations on the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 displayed on the display 25 are at least one of the following: normal tap operation (single tap), double tap operation, long press operation (long tap), flick operation, swipe operation, drag operation, pinch-in operation, and pinch-out operation. Therefore, touch operations that take into consideration the operability by the examiner can be assigned to the first software key 42, etc., thereby improving operability.

[0081] Furthermore, the control unit 30 changes the control of the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 according to the type and number of touch operations, the amount of operation (tap time, drag amount, etc.) on the first software key 42 or the second software key 43 displayed on the display 25. As a result, the examiner can intuitively control the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17, thereby improving operability.

[0082] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Example 1, the optical axis image δ can be set by the examiner, and the control unit 30 aligns the acquisition optical system 20 based on the set optical axis image δ. That is, the control unit 30 displays the optical axis image δ, which indicates the optical axis O, on the display 25 from the acquisition optical system 20, and changes the position and rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 in response to touch operations on the optical axis image δ.

[0083] This allows the orientation of the optical axis O to be set based, for example, on the distribution of lens opacity, and enables observation of the fundus Ef while avoiding areas of lens opacity caused by cataracts or other factors.

[0084] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the lens opacity distribution image may be superimposed and displayed on the portion α corresponding to the lens of the eye E under examination in the first icon 41A. In this case, the examiner can set the optical axis image δ by touching the lens opacity distribution image. As a result, the control unit 30 can change at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 using the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 in response to the touch operation on the lens opacity distribution image. This allows the examiner to control the position and orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 so that the fundus image can be acquired while accurately avoiding the opacified area of ​​the lens of the eye E under examination.

[0085] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the retinal image may be superimposed and displayed on the portion β corresponding to the fundus Ef of the eye under examination E in the first icon 41A. In this case, the examiner can set the optical axis image δ by touching the retinal image. As a result, the control unit 30 can change at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 using the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 in response to the touch operation on the retinal image. This allows the examiner to accurately observe or photograph the desired position of the fundus Ef of the eye under examination E according to the condition of the retina, and to appropriately acquire the desired eye information (fundus image).

[0086] Furthermore, the image superimposed on the first graphic image 41 and referenced when setting the optical axis image δ may be something other than a lens opacity distribution image or a retinal image. For example, a transillumination image or a B scan line image of an OCT image may be used as the image superimposed on the portion α corresponding to the lens. Also, an image of the retina captured by an infrared camera, a retinal scan image by OCT, or a retinal projection image by OCT may be used as the image superimposed on the portion β corresponding to the retina. When an OCT B scan image is used as the retinal image, the status of the target image can be grasped in real time.

[0087] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, an example was shown in which a light beam image γ, which represents the light beam between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20, is displayed as positional relationship information J. Here, the examiner may touch the light beam image γ and arbitrarily change the orientation and position of the light beam image γ. The control unit 30 may then control the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 so that the actual light beam matches the light beam image γ that has been changed by the touch operation, and perform alignment of the ophthalmic device 10 by changing the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system 20. In other words, the control unit 30 may change at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system 20 using the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 in response to a touch operation on the light beam image γ.

[0088] Even in this case, the examiner can accurately specify the desired location in the eye E under examination for observation and photography, and appropriately acquire the desired ocular information (fundus image).

[0089] In the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1, the display 25 is provided on the main body 13 that houses the acquisition optical system 20. That is, the display 25 is positioned in an environment where the examiner can directly confirm the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20. As a result, the examiner, after viewing the positional relationship information J displayed on the display 25, can operate the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 while directly comparing the displayed positional relationship information J with the actual positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20. This enables more accurate operation.

[0090] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Embodiment 1, the control unit 30, the movement actuator 15a of the position change mechanism 15, the swivel actuator 18a and tilt actuator 19a of the angle change mechanism 17, and the display 25 are connected inside the main body 13 via cables (not shown). Therefore, compared to cases where the control unit 30 etc. are connected via a wireless communication network such as wide-area wireless communication or short-range wireless communication, the transmission and reception speed of various signals is faster, and signal transmission and reception can be performed stably.

[0091] (Example 2) In the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the positional relationship information J is shown as a first graphic image 41, but it may be shown by other means. That is, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 2, the positional relationship information J is shown as a second graphic image 44, as shown in Figure 7. Note that the configuration of the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 2 is the same as that of the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, so a description is omitted.

[0092] The second graphic image 44 is an image showing a third icon 44C representing an eyeball model of the eye E being examined, and a fourth icon 44D representing an ophthalmic apparatus 10 including the acquisition optical system 20, all shown using the third-angle projection method. Here, "third-angle projection" is a method of drawing a three-dimensional object placed in a third angle using a front view projected onto the vertical plane in front, a top view projected onto the horizontal plane above, and a left side view projected onto the vertical plane to the left, etc.

[0093] Specifically, the third icon 44C consists of a plan view, a right side view, and a front view of an eyeball model schematically showing the eye E with its outer shell divided horizontally and its interior hollowed out. The fourth icon 44D consists of a plan view, a right side view, and a front view of an ophthalmic device model schematically showing the ophthalmic device 10, which includes the acquisition optical system 20, the position change mechanism 15, the control lever 16, the angle change mechanism 17, the swivel mechanism 18, and the tilt mechanism 19. Therefore, the second graphic image 44 displayed using the third-angle projection method shows a plan view of the eye E and the ophthalmic device 10 viewed from above, a right side view viewed from the right, and a front view viewed from the examiner's side. In Figure 7, in the fourth icon 44D, the part indicating the acquisition optical system 20 is denoted by reference numeral 101, the part indicating the position change mechanism 15 is denoted by reference numeral 102, the part indicating the control lever 16 is denoted by reference numeral 103, the part indicating the swivel mechanism 18 is denoted by reference numeral 104, and the part indicating the elevation mechanism 19 is denoted by reference numeral 105.

[0094] Thus, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 2, positional relationship information J is displayed by a second graphic image 44 showing the third icon 44C and the fourth icon 44D using the third-angle projection method. Therefore, the positional relationship between the eye E and the acquisition optical system 20, such as the distance from the acquisition optical system 20 to the eye E under examination and the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20, can be understood in detail by the examiner viewing the display 25.

[0095] In the second graphic image 44 shown in Figure 7, the eyeball model representing the eye under examination E and the device model representing the ophthalmic device 10 are both displayed using three views: a front view, a top view, and a side view. However, it is not necessary to display them using three views. The third icon 44C and the fourth icon 44D of the second graphic image 44 are images of the eyeball model and the device model shown using third-angle projection, but they only need to be displayed using one or more of the front view, top view, left side view, and right side view. That is, the second graphic image 44 may consist only of, for example, the third icon 44C showing the eyeball model representing the eye under examination E in a top view, and the fourth icon 44D showing the device model representing the ophthalmic device 10 in a top view.

[0096] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may superimpose and display a lens opacity distribution image on the portion of the third icon 44C corresponding to the lens, or superimpose and display a retinal image on the portion of the third icon 44C corresponding to the retina. In addition, the control unit 30 may superimpose and display a light beam image γ or an optical axis image δ on the second graphic image 44.

[0097] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the control unit 30 may display in the second display area 27b, in addition to the second graphic image 44 showing the positional relationship information J, a first software key 42 that rotates the acquisition optical system 20 when touched, and a second software key 43 that moves the acquisition optical system 20 when touched.

[0098] The first software key 42 has a first arrow 42a, a second arrow 42b, a third arrow 42c, and a fourth arrow 42d, similar to Embodiment 1. The second software key 43 has a fifth arrow 43a, a sixth arrow 43b, a seventh arrow 43c, an eighth arrow 43d, a ninth arrow 43e, and a tenth arrow 43f.

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may display, as positional relationship information J, a first scale image 45a and a second scale image 45b, which mimic a scale indicating the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 relative to the eye E being examined, as shown in Figure 9. Here, the first scale image 45a indicates the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 in the left-right direction. The second scale image 45b indicates the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 in the up-down direction.

[0100] In the example shown in Figure 9, the first scale image 45a and the second scale image 45b are scales that show the rotation angle around the pupil center position of the eye under examination E, and are set to zero degrees when the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20 are facing each other (when the optical axis O is perpendicular to the fundus Ef). Also, in the example shown in Figure 9, the first scale image 45a and the second scale image 45b are displayed superimposed on the second graphic image 44.

[0101] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may display, as positional relationship information J, a first numerical image 46a and a second numerical image 46b, which show numerical values ​​indicating the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 relative to the eye E being examined, as shown in Figure 9. Here, the first numerical image 46a shows the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 in the left-right direction. The second numerical image 46b shows the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 in the up-down direction.

[0102] In the example shown in Figure 9, the first numerical image 46a and the second numerical image 46b are set to zero degrees when the eye E being examined and the acquisition optical system 20 are directly facing each other (the optical axis O is perpendicular to the fundus Ef).

[0103] In this way, by displaying the positional relationship information J using the first scale image 45a and the second scale image 45b, and the first numerical image 46a and the second numerical image 46b, the examiner can more accurately grasp the distance from the acquisition optical system 20 to the eye E being examined, and the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20.

[0104] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Embodiment 2, when a touch operation is performed on the first scale image 45a and the second scale image 45b or the first numerical image 46a and the second numerical image 46b, the control unit 30 outputs a control command to the angle change mechanism 17 in response to the touch operation on the first scale image 45a. The control unit 30 may then rotate the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20) in the left-right or up-down direction using the angle change mechanism 17.

[0105] In other words, the control unit 30 may use the first scale image 45a and the second scale image 45b, or the first numerical image 46a and the second numerical image 46b, as software keys to control the angle change mechanism 17 and rotate the main body 13 (acquisition optical system 20) in the left-right or up-down direction.

[0106] This allows the angle adjustment mechanism 17 to be controlled by touch without displaying software keys (for example, the first software key 42 or the second software key 43) for controlling the angle adjustment mechanism 17 on the display 25. This prevents the display 25 from becoming cluttered and improves usability.

[0107] The present invention and the ophthalmic apparatus have been described above based on Examples 1 and 2. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and changes or additions to the design are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention as described in each claim of the patent.

[0108] In the ophthalmic device 10 of Examples 1 and 2, examples were shown in which the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 were superimposed on the positional relationship information J (first graphic image 41 and second graphic image 44). However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0109] For example, as shown in Figure 10(a), the control unit 30 sets a third display area 27c in the display screen 25a of the display 25 at a different position from the second display area 27b where the first graphic image 41 is displayed. Then, as shown in Figure 10(b), the control unit 30 displays the control lever image 50, the first software key 42, and the second software key 43 in the third display area 27c.

[0110] The control lever image 50 is an isometric projection image of a control lever model schematically representing the control lever 16. The display of the control lever image 50 may be changed by tilting or rotating the control lever model in response to the operation of the first software key 42 or the second software key 43.

[0111] The first software key 42 is a software key that, when touched by an examiner, causes the control unit 30 to output a control command to the angle change mechanism 17. As shown in Figure 10(b), the first software key 42 has a first arrow 42a, a second arrow 42b, a third arrow 42c, and a fourth arrow 42d.

[0112] The second software key 43 is a software key that, when touched by an examiner, causes the control unit 30 to output a control command to the position change mechanism 15. As shown in Figure 10(b), the second software key 43 has a fifth arrow 43a, a sixth arrow 43b, a seventh arrow 43c, an eighth arrow 43d, a ninth arrow 43e, and a tenth arrow 43f.

[0113] In this way, by displaying the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 in a third display area 27c, which is set separately from the second display area 27b that shows the positional relationship information J, it is possible to control the angle change mechanism 17 and the position change mechanism 15 by touch operation on the display 25, while displaying only the positional relationship information J in the second display area 27b. This prevents the display content in the second display area 27b from becoming excessive and makes the positional relationship information J easier to see.

[0114] Furthermore, by displaying the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 together with the control lever image 50, the examiner can more easily visualize the movement of the control lever 16 and intuitively grasp the operation of the acquisition optical system 20. This makes it possible for the examiner to more accurately recognize the positional relationship between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20.

[0115] In the examples shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), the control lever image 50 is an image of the control lever model shown using isometric projection, but this is not the only option. For example, as shown in the first modified control lever image 51 in Figure 11, the control lever model may be represented by a circular or triangular geometric figure. When the control lever model is represented by a circular geometric figure, it is possible to show the ophthalmic device 10 in a planar view. On the other hand, when the control lever model is represented by a triangular geometric figure, it is possible to indicate the measurement direction by, for example, the direction of the vertices. In the example shown in Figure 11, the direction towards the acutest vertex is indicated as the position of the eye E under examination.

[0116] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may display multiple control lever images 51 and distribute the first software key 42 and the second software key 43 (see Figure 11). In addition, the control unit 30 may not display the control lever images and instead display only the first software key 42 and the second software key 43, which are composed of multiple arrows, etc., in the third display area 27c.

[0117] Furthermore, the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1 also showed an example in which a lens opacity distribution image and a retinal image may be displayed superimposed on the first graphic image 41. It also showed an example in which an image showing the current state of the light beam between the eye E under examination and the acquisition optical system 20 (light beam image γ) and an image showing the current state of the optical axis O of the acquisition optical system 20 (optical axis image δ) are displayed. Here, the lens opacity image, retinal image, light beam image γ, and optical axis image δ are part information of the eye E under examination that shows a part of the state of the eye E under examination. Furthermore, the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 2 showed an example in which the current rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 relative to the eye E under examination is displayed. However, the various types of information displayed on the display 25 by the control unit 30 are not limited to these.

[0118] In other words, the control unit 30 may display, for example, on the display 25 an image showing the current state of the anterior segment of the eye E, an image showing the current state of the posterior segment of the eye E, an image showing the current state of the vitreous humor of the eye E, etc., as part of the information about the eye E being examined. The control unit 30 may also display the current distance from the eye E being examined to the acquisition optical system 20.

[0119] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may display on the display 25 not only the current state of the lens opacity distribution and the retinal region, but also the target state of the part information of the eye under examination E. That is, the control unit 30 may display on the display screen 25a of the display 25 the target state of the anterior segment of the eye under examination E, the target state of the posterior segment of the eye under examination E, and the target states of various parts of the eye under examination E, such as the vitreous humor, lens, and retinal region. The control unit 30 may also display the target rotation angle of the acquisition optical system 20 relative to the eye under examination E, and the target distance from the eye under examination E to the acquisition optical system 20.

[0120] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may enlarge or reduce the part information of the eye E displayed on the display 25, change the center position of the display, or redisplay it on the display 25 in response to touch operations by the examiner or operations of the operation unit 26. For example, when the examiner performs a pinch-out operation on the position of the optic disc in the fundus image of the eye E, the control unit 30 may switch to displaying an enlarged image of the fundus image centered on the touched optic disc position, or when the examiner performs a pinch-in operation on the position of the optic disc in the fundus image of the eye E, the control unit 30 may switch to displaying a reduced image of the fundus image centered on the touched optic disc position. In addition, when the examiner performs a single-tap operation on the position of the optic disc in the fundus image of the eye E, the control unit 30 may change the display to show the fundus image centered on the touched optic disc position.

[0121] In this way, by changing the magnification and center position of the displayed information in response to the examiner's actions on the area information of the eye E being examined, the examiner can display the area of ​​the eye E that they want to examine in detail, or the area of ​​the eye E for which they want to know the general overview, in a manner that is appropriate to the examiner's wishes as needed.

[0122] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the control unit 30, the position changing mechanism 15 and the angle changing mechanism 17, and the display 25 are connected within the main unit 13 via cables (not shown). However, the invention is not limited to this. The control unit 30, the position changing mechanism 15 and the angle changing mechanism 17, and the display 25 may be connected via wide-area wireless communication such as a mobile phone network. In this case, remote operation becomes possible, and the examiner can acquire eye information of the eye E being examined even if they are not near the subject. For example, LTE (Long Term Evolution) is an example of a wide-area wireless communication standard that uses a mobile phone network.

[0123] Furthermore, the control unit 30, the position change mechanism 15, the angle change mechanism 17, and the display 25 may be connected via short-range wireless communication. In this case, although it is wireless communication, the communication speed is faster than that of wide-area wireless communication, and the occurrence of time lag in the transmission and reception of various signals can be suppressed. Examples of short-range wireless communication standards include BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication and Wi-Fi®. Also, it is difficult to make a clear distinction between wide-area wireless communication and short-range wireless communication, but here, we will define wide-area wireless communication as having a communication distance of 100m or more (generally several kilometers), and short-range wireless communication as having a communication distance of less than 100m.

[0124] Furthermore, the control unit 30, the position change mechanism 15, the angle change mechanism 17, and the display 25 may be connected via a management server. In this case, the various signals transmitted and received between the control unit 30, the position change mechanism 15, the angle change mechanism 17, and the display 25 can be managed collectively by the management server. This makes it possible to manage multiple ophthalmic devices 10 collectively.

[0125] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the display 25 is provided on the main unit 13 housing the acquisition optical system 20, and the display 25 is positioned in an environment where the examiner can directly confirm the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the display 25 and the control unit 30 may be configured using a portable information terminal or a laptop computer that can be separated from the main unit 13, and may be positioned in an environment (remote location) where the examiner, as the operator, cannot directly confirm the positional relationship between the eye under examination E and the acquisition optical system 20. In this case, the examiner, after viewing the positional relationship information J displayed on the display 25, can operate the position change mechanism 15 or the angle change mechanism 17 from a remote location, or issue instructions to the subject or others near the acquisition optical system 20, based on the displayed positional relationship information J.

[0126] In the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the position change mechanism 15 and angle change mechanism 17 were shown to be operated by the examiner, but this is not limited to this. For example, the subject may become the operator and operate the position change mechanism 15 and angle change mechanism 17 themselves by touching the display 25 or the like.

[0127] Furthermore, the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 may be operated not only by touching the display 25 which has a touch panel function, but also by tilting or rotating the control lever 16, which is the operating part 26.

[0128] In the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, an example was shown in which the positional relationship information J includes a first graphic image 41, a light beam image γ, and an optical axis image δ. In the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 2, an example was shown in which the positional relationship information J includes a second graphic image 44, a first scale image 45a and a second scale image 45b, a first numerical image 46a and a second numerical image 46b. Here, the display mode for showing this positional relationship information J only needs to display at least one of them, and it is also possible to arbitrarily select and display them, for example, by displaying the first graphic image 41 and the first scale image 45a and the second scale image 45b together.

[0129] Furthermore, when displaying positional relationship information J using graphic images, graphic images may be used not only in the form of isometric projection or third-angle projection, but also in the form of perspective projection or oblique projection, for example.

[0130] Furthermore, any image may be selectively switched and displayed, for example, by switching between the first graphic image 41 and the second graphic image 44. The selection and switching of the display can be done by displaying a selection menu on the display 25 and selecting by touch operation, or by operating the control unit 26 such as a keyboard.

[0131] Furthermore, in the ophthalmic device 10 of Example 1, the rotation axis 18b is set to coincide with the pupil center position of the eye under examination E through alignment, and an example is shown in which the acquisition optical system 20 performs panning and tilting movements with the pupil center position as the rotation center. However, if the panning and tilting movements of the acquisition optical system 20 are performed with the rotation axis 18b and the central axis 19b as the rotation centers, the position in which the rotation axis 18b and the central axis 19b coincide within the eye under examination E can be set appropriately, and is not limited to the configuration of each example. For example, the rotation axis 18b can be set to coincide with the rotation point or corneal apex of the eye under examination E, and in such a configuration, the panning and tilting movements of the acquisition optical system 20 can be performed with the rotation point or corneal apex as the rotation center.

[0132] Furthermore, the ophthalmic apparatus 10 of Example 1 has a position change mechanism 15 and an angle change mechanism 17 as optical system changing mechanisms, and demonstrates an example in which the acquisition optical system 20 can be moved in the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions relative to the eye E under examination, as well as rotated in the left-right and up-down directions. However, it is not limited to this. The ophthalmic apparatus to which the present invention is applied may be, for example, an ophthalmic apparatus having only a position change mechanism 15 as an optical system changing mechanism, or an ophthalmic apparatus having only an angle change mechanism 17 as an optical system changing mechanism. Alternatively, one of the position change mechanism 15 and the angle change mechanism 17 may be electrically driven, and the other may be driven by manual operation.

[0133] Furthermore, the ophthalmic device 10 in Example 1 is shown as a fundus camera having an acquisition optical system 20 that acquires a fundus image as eye information of the eye E under examination. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any ophthalmic device having an acquisition optical system that is movable relative to the eye E under examination. For example, it may be an autokeratometer or autokeratometer that measures the refractive power (visual acuity) of the eyeball and cornea of ​​the eye E under examination as eye information, or a tonometer that measures the intraocular pressure of the eye E under examination as eye information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0134] 10 Ophthalmology equipment 11 Bass 12 mounting bases 13 Main body 15. Position change mechanism (optical system change mechanism) 15a Mobile actuator 17. Angle change mechanism (optical system change mechanism) 18. Swivel Mechanism 18a Swivel actuator 18b Rotation axis (reference axis) 19 Elevation mechanism 19a Elevation actuator 19b Center axis line (reference axis) 20 Acquisition optics 25 displays 25a display screen 26 Control section 27b Second display area 30 Control Unit J Positional information 41 First Graphic Image 41A First Icon 41B Second Icon γ luminous beam image δ optical axis image 42. First Software Key 43. Second Software Key 44. Second graphic image 44C Third Icon 44D 4th Icon 45a Image of the first scale division 45b Image of the second scale division 46a First numerical image 46b Second numerical image E. Eye being examined Ef fundus O optical axis

Claims

1. An acquisition optical system for acquiring ocular information of the eye under examination, An electrically operated optical system changing mechanism that changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system with respect to the eye being examined, A display visible to the operator operating the optical system modification mechanism, A control unit that displays positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the eye to be examined and the acquisition optical system on the display, Equipped with, The positional relationship information is displayed by an eyeball model image showing the internal structure of the eye under examination, a light beam image showing the light beam between the eye under examination and the acquisition optical system, and at least one of the optical axis image showing the optical axis of the acquisition optical system. The control unit displays a software key superimposed on the positional relationship information, and when the software key is operated, the optical system modification mechanism changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

2. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 1, The positional relationship information is further displayed by at least one of the following: a first graphic image showing a first icon representing the eyeball model image and a second icon representing the acquisition optical system using isometric projection; a second graphic image showing a third icon representing the eyeball model image and a fourth icon representing the acquisition optical system using third-angle projection; a scale image that mimics a scale indicating at least one of the distance from the eye to the acquisition optical system or the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye; and a numerical image that numerically indicates at least one of the distance from the eye to the acquisition optical system or the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

3. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The optical system modification mechanism includes an angle modification mechanism that rotates the acquisition optical system in at least one of the left-right or up-down directions around a preset reference axis. The control unit displays the first software key, which is the software key, on the display, and when the first software key is touched, the angle changing mechanism rotates the acquisition optical system. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

4. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The optical system modification mechanism includes a position modification mechanism that moves the acquisition optical system in at least one of the following directions relative to the eye under examination: left-right, front-back, or up-down. The control unit displays the second software key, which is the software key, on the display, and when the second software key is touched, moves the acquisition optical system using the position change mechanism. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

5. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 3 or claim 4, The aforementioned touch operation is at least one of the following operations: single tap, double tap, long press, flick, swipe, drag, pinch in, or pinch out. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

6. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 5, The control unit changes the control of the optical system modification mechanism according to at least one of the type, number, or amount of the touch operation. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

7. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The control unit displays an optical axis image indicating the optical axis of the acquisition optical system on the display, and in response to a touch operation on the optical axis image, the optical system modification mechanism changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

8. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The control unit displays a retinal image of the eye under examination on the display, and in response to a touch operation on the retinal image, the optical system changing mechanism changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

9. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The control unit displays a light beam image on the display showing the light beam between the eye under examination and the acquisition optical system, and changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system using the optical system changing mechanism in response to a touch operation on the light beam image. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

10. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The control unit displays a scale image on the display that mimics a scale indicating at least one of the distance from the eye to be examined to the acquisition optical system or the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye to be examined, and changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system by the optical system changing mechanism in response to a touch operation on the scale image. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

11. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, The control unit displays a numerical image on the display that shows at least one of the distance from the eye to be examined to the acquisition optical system or the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye to be examined, and changes at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system by the optical system changing mechanism in response to a touch operation on the numerical image. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

12. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The display is installed in an environment in which the operator can directly confirm the positional relationship, or in an environment in which the operator cannot directly confirm the positional relationship. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

13. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The control unit, the optical system modification mechanism, and the display are connected via a cable, via wide-area wireless communication, via short-range wireless communication, or via a management server. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

14. In an ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The control unit causes the display to show on the screen the current state or target state of at least one of the following: part information of the eye to be examined, including at least one of the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, the posterior segment of the eye to be examined, the vitreous humor of the eye to be examined, the lens of the eye to be examined, and the retinal region of the eye to be examined; the light beam between the eye to be examined and the acquisition optical system; the optical axis of the acquisition optical system; the distance from the eye to the acquisition optical system; and the orientation of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye to be examined. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

15. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 14, The control unit enlarges, reduces, or changes the display center position of the part information shown on the display, and displays it again on the display. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

16. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 1, The aforementioned display has a touch panel function, When the software key is touched, the control unit causes the optical system changing mechanism to change at least one of the position or orientation of the acquisition optical system. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

17. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 16, The positional relationship information is further displayed by a first icon representing the eyeball model image and a second icon representing the apparatus model including the acquisition optical system. The aforementioned software key is displayed superimposed on the second icon. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

18. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 17, The first and second icons are displayed using either a first graphic image shown using isometric projection or a second graphic image shown using third-angle projection. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

19. In the ophthalmic device described in claim 18, The aforementioned positional relationship information is, A scale image that simulates a scale indicating at least one of the distance from the eye to be examined to the acquisition optical system or the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye to be examined, A numerical image representing at least one of the distance from the eye to be examined to the acquisition optical system or the rotation angle of the acquisition optical system relative to the eye to be examined, Includes at least one of the following: An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

Images