Metamorphopsia Assessment via Interactive Grid Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining metamorphopsia, such as the Amsler grid and M-CHART, are limited in quantitatively assessing the degree of distortion across the entire visual field, particularly failing to reflect peripheral field distortions and providing a comprehensive evaluation of the condition's impact on quality of life.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that display a test chart to users, allowing them to interactively select and adjust metamorphopsia regions, acquiring distance and area values to determine the metamorphopsia degree based on user input, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of visual field distortions across the central and peripheral fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Amsler grid is used for metamorphopsia measurement, then the test is simple and quick, but the distance between lines is fixedly determined in advance and cannot quantify the degree of metamorphopsia occurrence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity and speed of testVSAvoidquantification of metamorphopsia degree
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed Amsler grid into a dynamic system where line distances can be adjusted. The test chart allows users to modify the spacing between grid lines interactively, enabling quantitative assessment of metamorphopsia severity while maintaining the simplicity of the original test format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of line distance from a fixed value to an adjustable variable. By allowing users to modify the distance between grid lines and observe when distortion disappears, the system quantifies the degree of metamorphopsia while keeping the test operationally simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If M-CHART is used for metamorphopsia measurement, then quantitative assessment of central metamorphopsia is possible, but the peripheral viewing field distortion cannot be reflected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantitative assessment of central metamorphopsiaVSAvoidcoverage of peripheral visual field
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the visual field into multiple zones (central and peripheral regions) and applies different test charts to each zone. The test chart is segmented into first and second regions corresponding to central and peripheral fields, allowing independent quantitative assessment of distortion in each area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal test chart that serves multiple functions: it can assess both central and peripheral metamorphopsia, and the same chart structure can be used for different visual field regions by adjusting the displayed portion and line spacing parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If fixed distance Amsler grid is used, then the test structure is simple, but it cannot reflect the actual varying degree of metamorphopsia in different visual fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest structure simplicityVSAvoidaccuracy of metamorphopsia degree reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the test chart, allowing users to modify line distances interactively. This dynamic feature enables the test to adapt to different degrees of metamorphopsia while maintaining a simple overall structure that is easy to understand and operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3539458B1Method and apparatus for determining metamorphopsia on basis of user interaction
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SAMSUNG LIFE PUBLIC WELFARE FOUND
  • EP3539458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3539458B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3539458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to a method for determining metamorphopsia based on user interaction disclosed as an embodiment of the present invention, a test chart may be displayed to a user, an input from the user for a part which is perceived as being distorted in the displayed test chart may be received, and a metamorphopsia degree of the user may be accurately determined based on a distortion area selected according to the received input. Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a test chart may be displayed to a user, a response (e.g., distance values of points, an area value, etc. in a zone) for each zone for the test chart may be received from the user, and metamorphopsia of the user may be determined based on the received response.