Binocular Glare Tester Attachment With Uniform LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glare testing devices lack reproducibility and are not suitable for assessing visual acuity in bright light conditions, particularly for patients with cataracts, and are not adaptable for binocular vision testing.
Innovation Solution
A binocular glare tester attachment for ophthalmic instruments, featuring a pair of eye cups with lights around the line of sight axis, providing uniform illumination, adjustable interpupil distance, and using solid state LED lights with a boost converter for consistent intensity, and optionally with shuttering capabilities for independent eye testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pen light is used to shine in the patient's eye during glare testing, then the test can be performed, but the light intensity and angle are not constant resulting in subjective and variable results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of holding and positioning a pen light with an automated optical system. The glare testing device incorporates a light source that automatically positions and directs light at the patient's eye at precise, constant angles and intensities, eliminating the subjective variability introduced by manual pen light manipulation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes fixed parameters for light intensity and angle of incidence in the glare testing device. By controlling these parameters to remain constant during testing, the device achieves reproducible results. The system maintains specific angular relationships (e.g., 30-degree angles) and standardized light intensities, transforming the variable manual process into a parameter-controlled automated process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current glare testers are used, then glare testing can be performed, but they are not adaptable for binocular vision testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the glare testing device with universal applicability to binocular vision testing. The apparatus incorporates dual light sources and dual viewing apertures that can simultaneously test both eyes, and the system can be integrated with existing binocular vision testing equipment like phoropters. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate monocular and binocular testing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the glare testing system into separate, independently controllable components for each eye, including individual light sources, filters, and viewing paths. This segmentation allows the device to handle monocular testing when needed while enabling simultaneous binocular testing when required, providing flexibility without excessive complexity.
3Measurement precision
If lights are not disposed uniformly around the line of sight axis, then device complexity is reduced, but illumination uniformity and testing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric light arrangement where lights are positioned at specific non-uniform angles around the line of sight axis. Rather than distributing lights evenly in all directions, the system places lights at predetermined asymmetric positions (e.g., specific angular offsets) that optimize glare simulation for driving conditions while maintaining manageable device complexity.
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 solution enhances the reproducibility and reliability of glare testing, allowing for accurate assessment of visual acuity under various light conditions, particularly in binocular vision, and facilitates documentation of visual impairment due to glare, improving safety and insurance coverage for patients with cataracts.
Implementation Method 1
using solid state LED lights with a boost converter for consistent intensity
Implementation Method 2
using solid state LED lights with a boost converter for consistent intensity
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of lights disposed around the line of sight axis... provide substantially uniform illumination about the line of sight axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a glare tester attachment for use with a phoropter, comprising a pair of eye cups, both eye cups each comprising a wall partially enclosing a hollow interior chamber and having a viewing aperture defining a respective viewing line of sight axis for each eye cup, a portion of each wall being provided with a plurality of lights disposed around said line of sight axis. The invention may be incorporated into a phoropter or a hand-held device.