Cone Contrast Test System for Early Color Vision Loss Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye tests, such as optical computed tomography and visual field analyzers, are ineffective for early detection of hereditary and acquired color vision loss, often occurring after permanent eye damage has occurred, and require consistent calibration to ensure validity, which is challenging due to interference from other software.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based Cone Contrast Test (CCT) system that administers a series of colored characters to patients at varying contrast levels, scores cone sensitivity, and automatically calibrates to ensure accurate results, using a low-cost colormeter like SPYDER 3 to prevent interference from other software and maintain calibration over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current eye tests (optical computed tomography, visual field analyzers) are used, then structural eye conditions can be diagnosed, but early detection of color vision loss is ineffective and permanent damage has already occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing the Cone Contrast Test to detect color vision loss before it progresses to permanent structural damage. The test measures cone sensitivity at multiple contrast levels to identify early functional changes in color vision, allowing intervention before irreversible damage occurs. This shifts the detection timeline from structural (late-stage) to functional (early-stage) assessment.
2Measurement precision
If consistent calibration is implemented to ensure test validity, then measurement accuracy improves, but software interference makes calibration challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dedicated colormeter as an intermediary device to establish and maintain display calibration. The colormeter independently measures and adjusts display output, creating a controlled calibration subsystem that is isolated from interfering software. This intermediary layer ensures consistent color and contrast levels across different testing sessions without being affected by other application software.
3Ease of manufacture
If a low-cost colormeter is used for calibration, then system cost decreases, but interference from other software threatens calibration stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration function into a separate, dedicated colormeter device that operates independently from the main testing software and other applications. This extraction isolates the calibration process from software interference, allowing a low-cost colormeter to maintain stable calibration without being affected by other programs running on the same system. The calibration data is stored and referenced by the testing software, separating the calibration mechanism from potential sources of interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for administering a cone contrast color vision test to a patient using a computer, including displaying a first character in a color at a first contrast level on a display connected to the computer, receiving a first input signal from the patient via an input device that indicates whether the patient recognizes the first character, displaying a second character in the color at a second contrast level which is not equivalent to the first contrast level, receiving a second input signal from the patient that indicates whether the patient recognizes the second character, assigning a score related to a cone sensitivity of the patient to the color at the first and second contrast levels, storing the score in a storage device, and comparing the score to at least one previous score from the patient to calculate a progression of a cone sensitivity loss.