Ocular Surface Disease Diagnosis Using Tablet Camera and Accelerometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye syndrome, are inefficient and often lead to late detection, as they rely on patient complaints and routine eye examinations, failing to provide a simple and effective means for early diagnosis in a clinical setting.
Innovation Solution
A device with a display screen and camera that records eye movements during a visual test, using software and an accelerometer to ensure proper alignment and track blink quality, allowing for a more accurate assessment of blink performance and suggesting treatment regimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If routine eye examinations and patient complaints are used for diagnosis, then the diagnostic process is simple and inexpensive, but the diagnosis is delayed and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device integrates multiple functions including display screen for visual stimulation, camera for eye movement recording, accelerometer for alignment detection, and software for blink analysis into a single multi-functional unit. This allows comprehensive ocular surface disease diagnosis without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual clinical assessment methods with automated electronic systems. The camera captures eye movements and the accelerometer detects device alignment, substituting subjective human evaluation with objective mechanical and optical measurement systems. This enables more accurate quantification of blink performance and eye movements.
2Measurement precision
If in-depth evaluation of ocular surface is performed, then diagnosis accuracy improves, but the examination time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously records eye movements and blink patterns during the visual test without requiring interruption for manual assessment. The camera captures continuous video footage of eye movements while the patient views the display, and the software continuously analyzes blink performance metrics. This continuous automated monitoring provides comprehensive ocular surface evaluation within a short time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic system performs self-analysis through automated software that processes camera footage and accelerometer data to evaluate blink performance and eye movement patterns. The software automatically detects partial blinks, counts blink frequency, and assesses meibomian gland function without requiring continuous manual intervention by the examiner, thereby reducing examination time while maintaining high assessment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If manual assessment of blink performance is used, then the method is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and objectivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where the camera continuously monitors eye movements and the software provides immediate analysis of blink performance. The system objectively quantifies blink frequency, duration, and completeness, providing precise feedback on ocular surface health status. This automated feedback loop eliminates subjectivity in manual assessment while maintaining ease of operation through user-friendly software interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for diagnosis of ocular surface disease includes an electronic tablet with an electronic display and a forward-facing camera. The camera may be placed above the screen when the device is held in landscape mode. A software app executing on the electronic tablet displays a test screen to a patient, the test screen comprising a test image and an alignment indicator. Once alignment is achieved, the patient may read the test image for a period of time, during which blink quality and quantity are tabulated. A video recorded during the test may be reviewed by a physician to confirm or modify blink quality and quantity counts during the test to diagnose ocular surface disease.