Automated Eyesight Testing via Eye Movement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual acuity tests require patient collaboration, making them unsuitable for infants and individuals with communication difficulties, and involve unpleasant dilating eye drops, with no reliable objective method for conducting eyesight tests.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an eye movement tracking unit, a screen for visual stimulation, and a shuttering unit that controls the field of view of each eye, allowing for automated and objective eyesight testing without patient collaboration, using infrared sensors and a wearable device to track and analyze eye movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional visual acuity tests are conducted with patient collaboration, then measurement precision can be maintained, but the test cannot be used for infants and individuals with communication difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/verbal response system with an optical tracking system. Instead of relying on patient verbal communication or manual response, the system uses infrared sensors to track eye movements and pupillary responses objectively, enabling testing of infants and non-verbal individuals while maintaining measurement accuracy through automated optical detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using eye movement tracking and pupillary response monitoring as intermediate indicators of visual acuity. Rather than directly measuring patient understanding or verbal response, the system measures physiological eye responses that correlate with visual capability, providing an indirect but reliable measurement method for populations unable to cooperate verbally
2Productivity
If manual visual acuity testing is performed by professionals, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the test duration exceeds 10 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service testing where the system automatically conducts the visual acuity test without requiring continuous professional intervention. The automated system presents visual stimuli, tracks eye responses, and processes results independently, reducing test time from over 10 minutes to a few minutes while maintaining accuracy through consistent automated measurement protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous measurement by automatically presenting multiple visual stimuli in sequence and continuously tracking eye responses throughout the test. This eliminates interruptions and maintains steady measurement flow, allowing rapid accumulation of data points for accurate visual acuity determination within a compressed time frame
3Measurement precision
If dilating eye drops are used to enlarge the pupil, then measurement capability is improved, but the patient experiences blurred eyesight for hours after the test
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pupillary response measurement from the context of dilated pupil examination. Instead of using dilating drops to enlarge the pupil for measurement, the system uses undilated pupils and measures pupillary constriction responses to visual stimuli, eliminating the need for medication while still obtaining useful measurement data about visual acuity and reflex responses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally small pupil size (which limits light entry) into a beneficial measurement opportunity by tracking pupillary constriction responses. The undilated pupil becomes an advantage for measuring light reflex and accommodation responses, while the system compensates for limited light by using controlled illumination and sensitive optical detection
4Extent of automation
If automated eye movement tracking is implemented, then patient collaboration is eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality where the wearable device performs multiple functions: presenting visual stimuli through the screen, tracking eye movements with infrared sensors, monitoring pupillary responses with cameras, and controlling shuttering of visual input. This consolidation of multiple measurement functions into a single integrated device reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate equipment for each function
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
Enables rapid, accurate, and objective eyesight testing, reducing test duration to under 2 minutes and eliminating the need for patient collaboration or dilating eye drops, while providing reliable measurements for acuity, 3D vision, and other eye-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
using infrared sensors and a wearable device to track and analyze eye movements
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are related to a method and a system for eyesight diagnosis. The system includes a vision test unit and a controller. The vision test unit includes at least one eye movement tracking unit configured to track the movement of a portion of the eye, at least one screen for visual stimulation and a shuttering unit configured to controllably block the field of view (FOV) of each eye separately. In some embodiments, the controller includes a processor and a non- volatile memory that store thereon instructions that when executed by the processor causes the controller to: display to a patient a first visual stimulation on the at least one screen, cause the shuttering unit to block the FOV of a first eye of the patient while unblocking the FOV of a second eye, receive a first signal indicative of the second eye movement of the patient from the at least one eye movement tracking unit and diagnose the patient's eyesight based on the received first signal.