Mobile Eye Refraction Measurement Using Vernier Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring eye refraction are lengthy, expensive, and require specialized equipment and training, with existing mobile device solutions suffering from limited feasibility, measurement errors, and inability to accurately measure prescriptions beyond certain ranges.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device application that measures eye refraction without lenses by automatically determining the distance between the patient and the device using image acquisition and processing, presenting visual targets to assess vision, and calculating a vision prescription based on the patient's ability to identify these targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional refraction measurement methods are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the process becomes lengthy and requires specialized equipment and training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex clinical equipment and implements it using a mobile device with standard camera and display components. The refraction measurement capability is isolated and ported to a consumer device, eliminating the need for specialized equipment while maintaining measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified version of the clinical refraction testing process that can be executed on a mobile device. The visual acuity testing methodology is copied and adapted for smartphone implementation, preserving the core measurement principle while reducing complexity and time requirements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional refraction measurement methods are used, then accurate prescriptions are obtained, but the process requires specialized equipment and training
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device application enables patients to perform their own refraction measurements without requiring optometrists or specialized training. The system guides users through the testing process automatically, with the device itself providing all necessary functions for measurement, eliminating the need for external expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a mobile device's existing multi-functional capabilities (camera, display, processor, gyroscope) to perform refraction measurement. Instead of requiring dedicated specialized equipment, the invention leverages the universal functions already present in consumer smartphones to achieve the measurement objective.
3Ease of operation
If mobile device applications for refraction measurement are used, then convenience and speed are improved, but measurement accuracy and feasibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors patient responses during the refraction testing process and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the measured prescription. The application tracks visual acuity measurements at different distances and iteratively determines the refractive error based on patient feedback, improving accuracy through automated feedback loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures refraction by varying the distance dimension rather than using traditional lens power adjustments. Instead of changing optical parameters, the system exploits the spatial dimension by having patients view targets at different distances, transforming the measurement approach from optical manipulation to spatial measurement.
4Extent of automation
If distance measurement methods are implemented, then automated refraction measurement is achieved, but measurement errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual distance measurement methods with automated computational approaches. Instead of using physical measurement tools or manual estimation, the system uses image processing algorithms and device sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer) to automatically calculate viewing distance, substituting mechanical measurement with computational measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines distance by analyzing changes in visual target appearance and device orientation parameters. By monitoring how the visual target appears to change with distance and using gyroscope data to track device movement, the system calculates accurate distance measurements through parameter analysis rather than direct measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for measuring eye refraction without a lens, and more particularly, for measuring eye refraction with a mobile device application. An exemplary method includes measuring a distance between a patient and a mobile device, presenting to the patient one or more visual targets sized and shaped to represent perfect vision such as by using Vernier targets or grating targets, instructing the patient to indicate whether the patient can accurately read the visual targets and, if not, to move closer to the mobile device until the patient can accurately read the visual targets, calculating a vision prescription for the patient based on the visual targets and a final distance between the patient and the mobile device, and displaying the vision prescription for the patient.