Auto-Phoropter for Subjective Self-Refraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current objective refraction techniques, such as wavefront aberrometers and retinoscopy, often require skilled professionals and costly equipment, making them inaccessible to lower-income individuals, and existing subjective methods like phoroptors require expert operation, limiting user-operated systems for correcting refractive errors.
Innovation Solution
A stand-alone auto-phoropter system that allows users to perform subjective self-refraction using pre-programmed sensory cues, voice commands, and a hand-held controller for near and distant vision refraction, visual acuity assessment, and automated vertex distance (VD) and pupillary distance (PD) measurements, enabling self-driven refractive error correction without specialized training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional subjective refraction methods using phoroptors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring expert operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to perform their own refraction measurements independently without requiring an eye care professional to operate the device. The automated phoropter system guides patients through the refraction process using pre-programmed protocols, allowing self-service operation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operation of trial lenses with an automated motorized phoropter that electronically controls lens selection and positioning. This substitution eliminates the need for expert manual manipulation while preserving the precision of subjective refraction measurements.
2Ease of operation
If objective refraction techniques like wavefront aberrometers are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and cost worsen due to sophisticated equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the advantages of objective refraction (automated lens manipulation) with subjective refraction (patient feedback-based precision). By combining the motorized control of objective systems with the interactive feedback loop of subjective methods, it achieves accurate measurements without requiring sophisticated wavefront sensing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated phoropter system serves multiple functions: it performs objective screening, guides subjective refraction, and provides final prescription determination. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate sophisticated devices while maintaining ease of operation and measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If traditional office-based subjective refraction is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity worsen due to requiring professional evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary objective refraction measurements and screenings automatically before the subjective refraction process. This preliminary action prepares the system with initial parameters, reducing the time required for the interactive subjective portion while maintaining precision in determining best vision.
Data Source
AI summary
The system allows one with no prior training in refraction to subjectively screen, measure, and correct for their own refractive error without the assistance of a second person through subjective self-refraction (SSR). One accomplishes SSR by interacting with refractor input controls, which manipulate lenses in front of their eye(s). The SSR process is accomplished via pre-programming, allowing for direct feedback between the system and user from sensory cues that are prompted by interacting with the input controls. The resulting health data may be displayed or transmitted to the user or another individual for later use. The refraction process may incorporate remote data management technology and computer network capabilities that provides for efficiency, improved accuracy, cost savings and user experience enhancement and may allow for greater access to vision correction services for many people.