Remote Eye Refraction System with Automated Phoropter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eye refraction processes rely heavily on the experience and skills of eye care professionals, leading to subjective and non-standardized results, high costs, and inefficiencies in obtaining accurate and reliable eyeglass prescriptions, particularly in self-refraction and remote exams.
Innovation Solution
A refraction system comprising a phoropter module, vision chart module, computer module, communication module, reliable spherocylindrical module, and output module that allows users to input and adjust prescriptions for accurate spherical and cylinder power corrections, enabling remote and self-refraction with technician supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional refraction processes rely on experience and skills of eye care professionals, then subjective optimization of prescription can be achieved, but the process cannot be standardized and results vary between professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-refraction where the patient independently performs the refraction process by viewing visual acuity charts and providing feedback through a user interface. The phoropter automatically adjusts lenses based on patient responses, eliminating the need for professional intervention while maintaining standardized procedures through computer control
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of professional refraction is replaced by an automated computer-controlled system. The phoropter's lens selection and positioning are controlled electronically based on algorithmic processing of patient responses to visual acuity tests, substituting human expertise with automated optical and computational systems
2Measurement precision
If multiple iterations of refraction adjustments are performed, then accurate prescription can be achieved, but the process takes significant time and may be painful for patients
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary objective refraction measurements using an autorefractor before the subjective refraction process. This preliminary action establishes a starting point that reduces the number of iterative adjustments needed during patient testing, thereby shortening overall process time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where patient responses to visual acuity charts are immediately processed by the computer, which then automatically adjusts the phoropter lenses. This real-time feedback mechanism accelerates convergence to the optimal prescription compared to manual iterative adjustment, reducing both time and patient discomfort
3Reliability
If conventional refraction is performed in professional offices, then comprehensive eye exams can be conducted, but the cost of prescriptions and eyeglasses becomes expensive for patients
Solution Approach 1:
By enabling patients to perform their own refraction using the automated system, the service eliminates the need for expensive professional office overhead. The self-service model reduces operational costs while maintaining comprehensive eye examination capabilities through integrated objective and subjective testing modules
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable or easily replaceable visual acuity charts and optical components that can be rapidly updated or replaced. This approach reduces the need for expensive, permanently installed professional equipment while maintaining examination quality, thereby lowering prescription costs
4Measurement precision
If new eyeglasses are prescribed based on conventional refraction, then correction can be provided, but patients may take 1 to 2 weeks to get used to them and many abandon the glasses
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback from patients during the refraction process through the visual acuity chart testing. This allows the system to optimize the prescription not only for visual clarity but also for patient comfort and adaptation, reducing the adjustment period needed after receiving new glasses
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the refraction process based on patient responses and comfort levels during testing. Rather than following a fixed rigid protocol, the system adapts lens selections and testing parameters in real-time to optimize for both accuracy and patient comfort, facilitating easier post-prescription adaptation
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 system provides a standardized, cost-effective, and reliable method for determining accurate eyeglass prescriptions, allowing for remote operation and comprehensive eye exams, including subjective and objective measurements, reducing the need for iterations and improving patient acceptance of eyeglasses.
Implementation Method 1
a phoropter module that allows to place a plurality of optical lenses in front of a tested eye for refractive corrections
Data Source
AI summary
A refraction system for remote refraction or self-refraction of human eyes. The system uses a reliable spherocylindrical module that allows the refraction system to obtain an initial spherocylindrical correction of the eye, and an SPH adjustment module that allows the user to adjust spherical power of the phoropter module on top of the initial spherocylindrical correction of the eye so that an updated spherical power (SPH) is subjectively determined. The reliable spherocylindrical module can be I) a device for obtaining a prescription of a pair of old eyeglasses, or II) a wavefront aberrometer that can offer, in addition to the objective sphero-cylinder correction, a quality metrics for at least one of a) measuring the confidence level in the objectively determined cylinder power and cylinder axis, b) assessing/displaying quality of vision corrections for a plurality of cylinder power.