Method and apparatus for aligning a mask with the visual axis of an eye

a mask and eye technology, applied in the field of masks and eye alignment, can solve the problems of poor vision, shape of lenses, and inadequate treatment of vision deficiencies, and achieve the effect of increasing the depth of focus of the eye of the patien

US20060270946A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-30SILVESTRINI THOMAS +3
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-11-30
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear. The mask is applied to the eye of the patient while the alignment of the mask axis and the instrument axis is maintained. Maintaining alignment of the mask axis and the instrument axis may be facilitated by capturing an image of the eye.
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Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Application Ser. No. 10 / 854,032, filed May 26, 2004, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 479,129, filed on Jun. 17, 2003, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This application is directed to masks for improving the depth of focus of an eye of a human patient and methods and apparatuses for applying such masks. More particularly, this application is directed to apparatuses and methods for aligning a mask with the line of sight of an eye and applying the mask to the eye.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Presbyopia, or the inability to clearly see objects up close is a common condition that afflicts many adults over the age of 40. Presbyopia diminishes the ability to see or read up close. Near objects appear blurry and out of focus. Presbyopia may be caused by defec...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0102] This application is directed to masks for improving the depth of focus of an eye of a patient and methods and apparatuses for applying such masks. The masks generally employ pin-hole vision correction and have nutrient transport structures. The masks may be applied to the eye in any manner and in any location, e.g., as an implant in the cornea (sometimes referred to as a “corneal inlay”). The masks can also be embodied in or combined with lenses and applied in other regions of the eye, e.g., as or in combination with a contact lenses or an intraocular lenses. Apparatuses and methods for applying the masks to the patient generally use the patient's vision to locate the patient's line of sight while the mask is being applied to the eye so that the mask may be properly aligned with the line of sight.

I. Overview of Pin-Hole Vision Correction

[0103] A mask that has a pinhole aperture may be used to improve the depth of focus of a human eye. As discussed above, presbyopia is a pr...