Pin-Hole Aperture Mask Aligning Visual Axis for Depth of Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Presbyopia, a condition causing blurred vision due to aging-related loss of accommodation in the eye, is not adequately addressed by traditional vision correction methods like glasses and contact lenses, as they fail to improve the depth of focus effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for aligning a mask with the visual axis of the eye using pin-hole aperture technology, which includes a mask with a pin-hole aperture aligned with the eye's visual axis, applied as a corneal implant or integrated with lenses to enhance depth of focus by converging light rays at a single focal point on the retina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vision correction methods (glasses and contact lenses) are used, then vision correction is provided, but depth of focus is not adequately improved
Solution Approach 1:
The cornea is segmented into multiple zones with different refractive powers. The central zone provides distance vision, while peripheral zones provide near vision, allowing the eye to focus at multiple distances simultaneously without requiring traditional glasses or contact lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cornea are given different optical properties. The central region maintains normal refraction for distance vision, while peripheral regions are modified to provide additional refractive power for near vision, creating local quality variations that enable multifocal vision.
2Measurement precision
If the cornea or lens are irregularly shaped or not functioning properly, then light rays do not converge at a single point on the retina, but traditional correction methods fail to adequately address presbyopia
Solution Approach 1:
The corneal refractive profile is made dynamically adaptable by creating a gradient of refractive powers across the corneal surface. This dynamic structure allows light rays from different distances to be properly focused on the retina, correcting both presbyopia and other focusing abnormalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index parameter is varied across different regions of the cornea. By changing the refractive power parameter from the central region to peripheral regions, the cornea can properly focus light rays at multiple distances, addressing convergence precision issues in presbyopic eyes.
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
The pin-hole aperture mask significantly improves vision by ensuring light rays converge at a single focal point on the retina, reducing blur and enhancing the depth of focus for presbyopic patients, providing clearer vision for both near and far objects.
Implementation Method 1
Light rays from an object are bent by the cornea, which is located in the anterior part of the eye. The light rays subsequently pass through the intraocular lens and are focused thereby onto the retina
Implementation Method 2
The human eye functions by receiving light rays from an object and bending, and focusing those rays. The primary focusing elements of the human eye are the lens (also referred to as the intraocular lens) and the cornea. Light rays from an object are bent by the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear. The mask is applied to the eye of the patient while the alignment of the mask axis and the instrument axis is maintained. Maintaining alignment of the mask axis and the instrument axis may be facilitated by capturing an image of the eye.