Binocular Alignment Measurement via Stereo Display and Eye Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining binocular alignment are subjective and lack objective measurement, leading to high variability in prismatic corrections and ineffective compensation for accommodative misalignments, which causes digital eye discomfort and migraines.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a stereo display, accommodation optics, and an eye tracker to objectively measure disassociated phoria and accommodative convergence, integrating central and peripheral image tests and dynamic prismatic responses to determine optimal prismatic corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective methods are used to determine binocular alignment, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability are poor leading to high variability in prismatic corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical assessment methods with an automated optical measurement system. The system uses a stereo display to present images at controlled apparent distances, accommodation optics to adjust focal planes, and an eye tracker to objectively measure disassociated phoria and accommodative convergence. This substitution of mechanical/subjective methods with optical/electronic automation resolves the contradiction by providing high measurement precision through objective data collection while managing complexity through integrated automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-calibration and automated data processing without requiring subjective patient input. The eye tracker automatically tracks eye positions, the computer calculates disassociated phoria and accommodative convergence from the tracked data, and the system generates prismatic correction recommendations autonomously. This self-service capability maintains high measurement precision while reducing operational complexity by eliminating manual subjective assessment steps.
2Reliability
If traditional binocular alignment methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of prismatic corrections is poor causing digital eye discomfort and migraines
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by using the eye tracker to continuously monitor eye positions during measurement, comparing actual eye alignment with expected alignment at different apparent distances. The computer processes this feedback data to calculate disassociated phoria and accommodative convergence, then uses this information to determine reliable prismatic corrections. This feedback mechanism ensures high reliability of corrections by basing them on objective measured data rather than subjective assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of objective quantitative measurement to the traditional subjective assessment process. By introducing the eye tracker to measure eye position in three-dimensional space and the computer to calculate alignment parameters from multiple measurement dimensions, the system transforms unreliable subjective data into reliable objective data, thereby improving correction reliability while accepting increased system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple diagnostic approaches are integrated, then the measurement precision and reliability improve, but the device complexity and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple diagnostic functions into a single integrated system. The stereo display, accommodation optics, and eye tracker operate together as one unified measurement system rather than separate devices. The computer integrates data from all components to simultaneously determine disassociated phoria and accommodative convergence. This merging maintains high measurement precision by combining multiple diagnostic approaches while improving ease of operation by presenting a single unified interface to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed with multi-functionality to perform various binocular alignment assessments through a single apparatus. The stereo display can present different image configurations, the accommodation optics can adjust to different focal distances, and the eye tracker can measure different parameters. This universal design maintains high measurement precision across multiple diagnostic functions while improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces variability in prismatic corrections, providing a reliable and repeatable method for determining binocular alignment, effectively reducing digital eye strain and migraines by integrating multiple diagnostic approaches.
Implementation Method 1
an eye tracker to track an orientation of the first eye and the second eye
Implementation Method 2
an accommodation optics to modify the projection of the images according to an apparent distance
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include a method to determine a binocular alignment, the method comprising: measuring a disassociated phoria of a first eye and a second eye of a patient at an apparent distance; and determining an accommodative convergence of the first eye and the second eye at the apparent distance using the measured disassociated phoria. In other embodiments, a system to determine a binocular alignment comprises a stereo display, for a projection of images for a first eye and a second eye; an accommodation optics, to modify the projection of the images according to an apparent distance; an eye tracker, to track an orientation of the first eye and the second eye; and a computer, coupled to the stereo display, the accommodation optics and the eye tracker, to manage a determination of the binocular alignment.