JP6930842B2 - Ophthalmic equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus for acquiring data of an eye to be inspected.

The ophthalmologic apparatus includes an ophthalmologic measuring apparatus for measuring the characteristics of the eye to be inspected and an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus for obtaining an image of the eye to be inspected.

Examples of ophthalmic measuring devices include ophthalmic refraction testing devices (refractometers, keratometers) that measure the refraction characteristics of the eye to be inspected, tonometers, specular microscopes that obtain corneal characteristics (corneal thickness, cell distribution, etc.), and so on. There is a wave front analyzer that obtains error information of the eye to be inspected using a Hartmann-Shack sensor.

Examples of ophthalmologic imaging devices include an optical coherence tomography that obtains a tomographic image using optical coherence tomography (OCT), a fundus camera that photographs the fundus, and laser scanning using a confocal optical system. There is a scanning laser optical coherence tomography (SLO) that obtains an image of the fundus.

In an ophthalmic examination using such an apparatus, it is important to align the optical system with the eye to be inspected from the viewpoint of the accuracy and accuracy of the examination. Alignment generally includes an operation of aligning the optical axis of the optical system with the axis of the eye to be inspected (XY alignment) and an operation of adjusting the distance between the eye to be inspected and the optical system to a predetermined working distance (Z alignment). be.

In some ophthalmic devices that require Z alignment, the drive unit is controlled so as to avoid contact between the measurement unit and the eye to be inspected.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an index light is projected onto an eye to be inspected, and an index image based on the reflected light is detected to detect the position of the main body of the device installed on the gantry, and the main body of the device is the eye to be inspected. A method of stopping the forward movement of the gantry when it is determined that the gantry is closer than a predetermined distance is disclosed.

For example, in Patent Document 2, an index light is projected onto an eye to be inspected, the reflected light is bent in two directions by a prism lens, and detected by a two-dimensional light receiving element. A method of calculating the relative position of the optometry unit and stopping the movement of the optometry unit when the distance between the optometry unit and the optometry object is closer than the proper operating distance is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 01-274737 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-126609

However, in the conventional method, the alignment state of the optical system with respect to the eye to be inspected is specified by detecting the index image based on the reflected light of the index light projected on the eye to be inspected. Therefore, if the eye to be inspected blinks or the line of sight is changed during the alignment, the alignment state cannot be specified. As a result, there is a problem that the index image has to wait until it is detected again.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new technique capable of continuing an alignment operation even when blinking or a change of line of sight occurs while avoiding contact. It is in.

The first aspect of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment is an optical system for acquiring data of an eye to be inspected, and a driving unit for relatively moving the optical system and the eye to be inspected in the optical axis direction of the optical system. By analyzing two or more imaging units for simultaneously photographing the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected from different directions and two or more captured images simultaneously obtained by the two or more imaging units, A position specifying unit that specifies at least one three-dimensional position of the above featured portion, a distance specifying unit that specifies the distance between the optical system and the three-dimensional position specified by the position specifying unit, and the distance. look including a control unit for relatively moving the said subject's eye and the optical system by controlling the drive unit based on the distance that is specified by the specifying unit, the position specifying unit includes a first of said eye to be examined When one feature site could not be specified, a three-dimensional position of the second feature site of the eye to be inspected different from the first feature site was specified, and the second feature site was the eyelid or eyelid of the eye to be inspected.
Further, in the second aspect of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment, in the first aspect, the control unit is the driving unit so that the optical system does not approach the eye to be inspected more than a predetermined distance based on the distance. May be controlled.
Further, the third state like an ophthalmologic apparatus according to an embodiment, the first state-like or second aspect, the first feature portion, the may be a pupil or cornea of the eye.
Further, the fourth state like an ophthalmologic apparatus according to an embodiment, in either the first aspect to third states like, comprising an operation unit, wherein the control unit, the drive in response to an operation using the operation unit The unit may be controlled to move the optical system and the eye to be inspected relative to each other.
In addition, it is possible to arbitrarily combine the configurations according to the above-mentioned plurality of aspects.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new technique that enables the alignment operation to be continued even when blinking or change of line of sight occurs while avoiding contact.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ophthalmologic apparatus according to the embodiment may be any ophthalmologic measuring apparatus, any ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, or any multifunction device in which the ophthalmologic measuring apparatus and the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus are combined. Examples of the ophthalmic measuring device include a reflex meter, a keratometer, a visual function test device, and a tonometer. Examples of ophthalmologic imaging devices include OCT devices, fundus cameras, SLOs, and the like.

<Structure>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment. The ophthalmic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a function of acquiring data of the eye to be inspected E, that is, a function of photographing the eye to be inspected E and / or a function of measuring the characteristics of the eye to be inspected E.

The ophthalmic device 1 includes a processor 10, an optical unit 20, a face support unit 70, a first drive mechanism 80A, a second drive mechanism 80B, and a user interface (UI) unit 90. It should be noted that the configuration may be such that only one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B is provided.

The optical unit 20 is provided with a measurement optical system 30 and an anterior eye camera 60. The measurement optical system 30 includes an objective lens 40. Two or more front eye cameras 60 are provided at different positions.

(Processor 10)
The processor 10 executes various types of information processing. In the present specification, the term "processor" refers to, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a programmable logic device (for example, a SPLD (Simple Program)), a programmable logic device (for example, a SPLD) It means a circuit such as Programmable Logical Device) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The processor 10 realizes the function according to the embodiment by reading and executing a program stored in a storage circuit or a storage device, for example. At least a part of the storage circuit and the storage device may be included in the processor 10. Further, at least a part of the storage circuit and the storage device may be provided outside the processor 10. The processing that can be executed by the processor 10 will be described later. The processor 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a data processing unit 13.

(Control unit 11)
The control unit 11 controls each unit of the ophthalmic apparatus 1. In particular, the control unit 11 controls the optical unit 20, the first drive mechanism 80A, and the second drive mechanism 80B. In the case of manual alignment, the control unit 11 receives an operation on the user interface unit 90 by the user and controls at least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B to control the optical unit 20 and the eye E to be inspected. Move relative to each other. In the case of auto-alignment, the control unit 11 relatively moves the optical unit 20 and the eye E to be inspected by controlling at least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B based on the control conditions described later. The control that can be executed by the control unit 11 will be described later.

(Memory unit 12)
The storage unit 12 stores various types of data. The data stored in the storage unit 12 includes data (measurement data, imaging data, etc.) acquired by the measurement optical system 30, information on the subject and the eye to be inspected, and the like. Various computer programs and data for operating the ophthalmic apparatus 1 may be stored in the storage unit 12. Various data used / referenced in the processing described later are stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 includes the above-mentioned storage circuit and storage device.

(Data processing unit 13)
The data processing unit 13 executes various data processing. In particular, the data processing unit 13 analyzes the image acquired by the anterior eye camera 60. The data processing unit 13 is provided with a position specifying unit 131 and a distance specifying unit 132. These operations will be described later.

(Optical unit 20)
In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the optical unit 20 may be provided with an optical system (observation optical system, photographing optical system, etc.) or an alignment optical system for photographing the eye E to be examined from the front. Further, a configuration for focusing the measurement optical system 30 may be provided. Further, the optical unit 20 may include a light source (anterior eye portion illumination light source) for illuminating the anterior eye portion Ea of the eye E to be inspected.

(Measurement optical system 30)
The measurement optical system 30 includes a configuration for measuring the characteristics of the eye E to be inspected. The measurement optical system 30 has a configuration corresponding to the functions (measurement function, imaging function, etc.) provided by the ophthalmic apparatus 1. For example, the measurement optical system 30 is provided with a light source, an optical element (optical member, an optical device), an actuator, a mechanism, a circuit, a display device, a light receiving element, an image sensor, and the like. The configuration of the measurement optical system 30 may be similar to that of the conventional ophthalmic apparatus. At least a part of the measurement optical system 30 may be arranged outside the optical path. For example, when a keratometer function for measuring the curvature of the cornea is provided, a light source (keratling light source) for projecting a ring-shaped luminous flux or a concentric luminous flux onto the cornea is arranged at a position immediately before the eye E to be inspected. For example, when a function of an optical interference tomometer for acquiring a tomographic image of the eye E to be examined or an intraocular distance is provided, the objective lens 40 and the eye E to be examined are used to change the focal position of the interference optical system. A removable front lens is provided between them.

The measurement optical system 30 may have a configuration for providing a function associated with the inspection. For example, an fixation optical system for projecting an optotype (fixation target) for fixing the eye E to be inspected on the fundus of the eye E may be provided.

(Anterior eye camera 60)
The anterior segment camera 60 captures the anterior segment Ea of the eye E to be inspected. As described above, two or more front eye cameras 60 are provided at different positions. Each front eye camera 60 is, for example, a video camera that shoots a moving image at a predetermined frame rate. The two or more anterior segment cameras 60 capture the anterior segment from different directions substantially simultaneously.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two front eye cameras 60A and 60B are provided. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the eye E to be inspected and the anterior eye cameras 60A and 60B. The + Y direction indicates a vertically upward direction, and the + Z direction indicates an optical axis direction of the measurement optical system 30 and a direction from the measurement optical system 30 toward the eye E to be inspected. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the eye E to be inspected and the anterior eye cameras 60A and 60B. The anterior segment cameras 60A and 60B are provided at positions outside the optical path of the measurement optical system 30, respectively. Hereinafter, the two front eye cameras 60A and 60B may be collectively represented by reference numeral 60.

The number of front eye cameras may be any number of 2 or more, but any number of front eye cameras may be used as long as the front eye can be photographed substantially simultaneously from two different directions. Further, one front eye camera may be arranged coaxially with the measurement optical system 30.

“Substantially at the same time” means that in shooting with two or more anterior eye cameras, it is permissible to shift the shooting timing to the extent that eye movements can be ignored. Thereby, the image when the eye E to be inspected is in the same position (orientation) can be acquired by two or more anterior eye cameras.

Further, the shooting with two or more front eye cameras may be a moving image shooting or a still image shooting, but in the present embodiment, a case where the moving image shooting is performed will be described in particular detail. In the case of moving image shooting, it is possible to realize substantially simultaneous front eye shooting as described above by controlling the shooting start timing to be adjusted, and controlling the frame rate and the shooting timing of each frame. On the other hand, in the case of still image shooting, this can be realized by controlling the shooting timing to be adjusted.

In the present embodiment, two or more captured images obtained substantially simultaneously by two or more anterior eye cameras 60 are used for alignment (alignment) between the optical unit 20 and the eye E to be inspected. The alignment includes Z alignment in the optical axis direction (Z direction) of the measurement optical system 30 and XY alignment in the X direction (horizontal direction) and the Y direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the Z direction.

In the present embodiment, the feature positions corresponding to the feature portions of the eye E to be inspected are specified for each of the two or more captured images obtained by the anterior eye camera 60, and the positions of the two or more identified as the front eye camera 60 are specified. The three-dimensional position of the feature portion of the eye E to be inspected is obtained based on the feature position in the captured image. Characteristic sites include, for example, the center (or center of gravity) of the pupil or cornea, and the eyelids and eyelashes. In the case of manual alignment, the optical unit 20 and the eye E to be inspected are relatively moved by the user operating the user interface unit 90 so that the displacement of the position of the characteristic portion of the eye E to be inspected with respect to the alignment reference position is cancelled. .. In the case of auto-alignment, the control unit 11 moves the optical unit 20 three-dimensionally so that the displacement of the position of the characteristic portion of the eye E to be inspected with respect to the alignment reference position is cancelled. The alignment reference position is a position where the optical axis of the measurement optical system 30 substantially coincides with the axis of the eye to be inspected E and the distance of the measurement optical system 30 to the eye to be inspected E is a predetermined operating distance. Here, the working distance is a default value also called the working distance of the objective lens 40, and means the distance between the eye E to be inspected and the measuring optical system 30 at the time of inspection using the measuring optical system 30.

In the following embodiments, the distance between the measurement optical system 30 for acquiring the data of the eye to be inspected E and the eye to be inspected E is the distance between the optical unit 20 accommodating the optical system 30 to be inspected and the eye to be inspected E. Alternatively, it can be equated with the distance between the objective lens 40 and the eye E to be inspected.

(Face support 70)
The face support portion 70 includes a member for supporting the face of the subject. For example, the face support portion 70 includes a forehead pad on which the forehead of the subject is abutted and a jaw holder on which the jaw of the subject is placed. The face support portion 70 may be provided with only one of a forehead pad and a jaw support, and may be provided with a member other than these.

(1st drive mechanism 80A, 2nd drive mechanism 80B)
The first drive mechanism 80A moves the optical unit 20 under the control of the control unit 11. The first drive mechanism 80A can move the optical unit 20 three-dimensionally. The first drive mechanism 80A includes, for example, a mechanism for moving the optical unit 20 in the X direction, a mechanism for moving the optical unit 20 in the Y direction, and a mechanism for moving the optical unit 20 in the Z direction, as in the conventional case. The first drive mechanism 80A includes a plurality of stepping motors (driving means) for driving a mechanism for moving in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. For example, the control unit 11 can move the optical unit 20 by a movement amount corresponding to the number of pulses by supplying a drive signal of a predetermined number of pulses to the stepping motor. Further, the first drive mechanism 80A may include a rotation mechanism for rotating the optical unit 20 in a plane (horizontal plane, vertical plane, etc.) including the optical axis of the optical unit 20.

The second drive mechanism 80B moves the face support unit 70 under the control of the control unit 11. The second drive mechanism 80B can move the face support portion 70 three-dimensionally. The second drive mechanism 80B includes, for example, a mechanism for moving the face support portion 70 in the X direction, a mechanism for moving the face support portion 70 in the Y direction, and a mechanism for moving the face support portion 70 in the Z direction. Like the first drive mechanism 80A, the second drive mechanism 80B includes a plurality of stepping motors (driving means) for driving a mechanism for moving the mechanism in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. For example, the control unit 11 can move the face support unit 70 by a movement amount corresponding to the number of pulses by supplying a drive signal of a predetermined number of pulses to the stepping motor. Further, the second drive mechanism 80B may include a rotation mechanism for changing the direction of the face support portion 70 (or a member included therein). When a plurality of members are provided on the face support portion 70, the second drive mechanism 80B may be configured to move these members individually. For example, the second drive mechanism 80B may be configured to move the forehead rest and the chin rest individually. Only the chin rest may be movable in the Y direction in order to minimize the displacement of the eye to be examined during the examination due to the difference in the size of the face of the subject. As described above, in general, at least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B is provided.

(User interface unit 90)
The user interface unit 90 provides functions for exchanging information between the ophthalmic apparatus 1 and its user, such as displaying information, inputting information, and inputting operation instructions. The user interface unit 90 provides an output function and an input function. Examples of configurations that provide an output function include a display device such as a flat panel display, an audio output device, a print output device, and a data writer that writes to a recording medium. Examples of configurations that provide input functions include operating levers, buttons, keys, pointing devices, microphones, data writers, and the like. The user interface unit 90 may include a device such as a touch panel display in which an output function and an input function are integrated. In addition, the user interface unit 90 may include a graphical user interface (GUI) for inputting / outputting information.

(Details of data processing unit 13)
The details of the data processing unit 13 will be described. As described above, the data processing unit 13 is provided with a position specifying unit 131 and a distance specifying unit 132.

(Positioning unit 131)
The positioning unit 131 analyzes at least two or more characteristic parts of the eye E to be inspected drawn in each photographed image by analyzing two or more photographed images obtained substantially simultaneously by the anterior eye camera 60A and 60B. The position (three-dimensional position) of the region corresponding to one is specified. The position specifying unit 131 can specify the position of a identifiable region among the regions corresponding to each of the two or more predetermined feature portions. In this case, the position specifying unit 131 sequentially performs the identification process of the area corresponding to the feature portion in a predetermined order, and specifies the position of the area specified by the identification process. Further, the position specifying unit 131 may specify a region corresponding to each of the predetermined two or more characteristic parts, and may specify the position of any one of the specified one or more regions. In the following, the position specifying portion 131 shall specify the pupil (or cornea) as the first feature site, and when the pupil center is not specified, specify the eyelid (or eyelash) as the second feature site. ..

When the anterior eye camera 60A and 60B shoot a moving image, the position specifying unit 131 identifies the position of the region from each frame. The position specifying unit 131 can specify the position of the region by analyzing the pixel value of the captured image. When the captured image is a luminance image, the position specifying unit 131 identifies an image region (pixel) corresponding to the feature portion based on the distribution of the luminance values in the captured image.

For example, when the feature portion is a pupil, the position specifying unit 131 identifies an image region (pupil region) corresponding to the pupil of the eye E to be inspected based on the distribution of pixel values (luminance values, etc.) of the captured image. Since the pupil is generally drawn with lower brightness than other parts, the pupil region can be specified by searching the low-brightness image region. At this time, the pupil region may be specified in consideration of the shape of the pupil. That is, it can be configured to specify the pupil region by searching for a substantially circular and low-luminance image region. Next, the position specifying unit 131 specifies the central position of the specified pupil region. Since the pupil is substantially circular as described above, the contour of the pupil region can be specified, the center position of this contour (approximate circle or approximate ellipse) can be specified, and this can be used as the center of the pupil. Further, the center of gravity of the pupil region may be obtained, and the position of the center of gravity may be set as the center of the pupil. Even when the feature position corresponding to another feature portion is specified, the feature position can be specified based on the distribution of the pixel values of the captured image in the same manner as described above. Further, the position specifying unit 131 can project an index luminous flux onto the cornea of the eye E to be inspected, detect a reflected image based on the reflected luminous flux from the cornea, and specify the position of the reflected image as the position of the eye E to be inspected. Is.

For example, when the feature portion is an eyelid, the position specifying unit 131 identifies an image region corresponding to the feature region of the eyelid of the eye E to be inspected based on the distribution of pixel values (luminance values, etc.) of the captured image. In general, the pupil and the eyelid of the eye E to be inspected are drawn with different luminosities, so that the eyelid region can be specified by searching the image region of the luminance corresponding to the eyelid.

Further, the position specifying unit 131 can specify the feature position as a three-dimensional position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the distance (baseline length) between the two front eye cameras 60A and 60B in the XY direction is represented by “B”. The distance between the baselines of the two anterior eye cameras 60A and 60B and the feature point (or pupil) P on the eyelid as the feature site of the eye E to be inspected is represented by "H". The distance (screen distance) between the front eye cameras 60A and 60B and the screen plane thereof is represented by "f".

In such an arrangement state, the resolution of the images captured by the anterior eye cameras 60A and 60B is expressed by the following equation. Here, Δp represents the pixel resolution.

Resolution in the XY direction: ΔXY = H × Δp / f
Resolution in the Z direction: ΔZ = H × H × Δp / (B × f)

The positioning unit 131 is arranged as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with respect to the positions of the two front eye cameras 60A and 60B (known) and the positions of the feature points P on the eyelids in the two captured images. The position of the feature point P on the eyelid is specified by applying a known trigonometry in consideration of the relationship. The position of the feature point P on the eyelid is specified as the position (three-dimensional position) of the eye E to be inspected. Similarly, when the characteristic portion is the center of the pupil, the position of the center of the pupil is specified as the position of the eye E to be inspected.

The position of the eye E to be inspected specified by the position specifying unit 131 is sent to the control unit 11. As described above, the control unit 11 aligns the optical axis of the measurement optical system 30 with the axis of the eye E to be inspected based on the determined position of the eye E to be inspected, and the control unit 11 is the measurement optical system 30 with respect to the eye E to be inspected. The first drive mechanism 80A and / or the second drive mechanism 80B is controlled so that the distance becomes a predetermined working distance.

(Distance specifying part 132)
The distance specifying unit 132 specifies the distance between the position of the eye to be inspected E specified by the position specifying unit 131 and the measurement optical system 30 (objective lens 40) as a moving distance (optical system / eye to be inspected distance). For example, the position specifying unit 131 specifies the position of the eye E to be inspected in the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the reference position of the optical unit 20 (the position of the objective lens 40 of the measurement optical system 30). In this case, the distance specifying unit 132 can specify the above-mentioned moving distance by a known distance calculation process in the three-dimensional coordinate system. The distance specifying unit 132 sequentially obtains the moving distance using the position of the eye E to be inspected, which is sequentially specified.

The control unit 11 relatively moves the optical unit 20 and the eye E to be inspected by controlling at least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B based on the movement distance specified by the distance specifying unit 132. At this time, the control unit 11 sequentially updates the control conditions for at least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B based on the moving distance sequentially specified by the distance specifying unit 132. The control unit 11 can control at least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B based on the updated control conditions.

The optical unit 20 or the measurement optical system 30 is an example of the "optical system" according to the embodiment. At least one of the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80B is an example of the "drive unit" according to the embodiment. The user interface unit 90 is an example of the "operation unit" according to the embodiment. The anterior eye camera 60 is an example of the “photographing unit” according to the embodiment.

<Operation>
The operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 will be described.

4 and 5 show a flow chart of an operation example of the ophthalmic apparatus 1. 4 and 5 show an operation example of Z alignment of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it is assumed that the XY alignment is completed.

(S1)
Corresponding to the instruction given by the user or the control unit 11 to start photographing the anterior eye portion Ea of the eye subject E, the control unit 11 controls the anterior eye portion camera 60 to control the anterior eye portion E. Acquisition of the moving image of the anterior segment Ea is started. The anterior eye cameras 60A and 60B form a captured image (frame) at a predetermined frame rate. The captured images are sequentially input to the data processing unit 13.

(S2)
The control unit 11 causes the position specifying unit 131 to specify a position corresponding to the center of the pupil of the eye E to be inspected as the first feature portion in the captured image acquired in S1. As described above, the position specifying unit 131 analyzes the two or more captured images obtained substantially simultaneously by the anterior segment cameras 60A and 60B in S1 to obtain the eye E drawn on each captured image. The three-dimensional position of the region corresponding to the center of the pupil is specified as the position of the eye E to be examined.

(S3)
The control unit 11 determines whether or not the position of the eye E to be inspected can be specified. For example, when the pupil region cannot be specified from the luminance distribution of the obtained captured image, the control unit 11 determines that the position of the eye E to be inspected has not been specified by the position specifying unit 131. When it is determined that the position of the eye E to be inspected has not been specified (S3: N), the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S7 (end). Regarding whether or not the position of the eye to be inspected E could be specified, the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is terminated when it is determined that the position of the eye to be inspected E cannot be specified by repeating the above position specifying process a predetermined number of times. You may.

When it is determined that the position of the eye E to be inspected has been specified (S3: Y), the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S4.

(S4)
When it is determined in S3 that the position corresponding to the center of the pupil of the eye E to be inspected is specified (S3: Y), the control unit 11 determines the position (known) of the eye E to be inspected as the reference position (known) of the optical unit 20. Based on the position corresponding to the center of the pupil), the distance specifying unit 132 specifies the moving distance, which is the distance between the optical unit 20 and the eye E to be inspected.

(S5) The control unit 11 determines whether or not the Z alignment is completed. For example, when the difference between the moving distance in the Z direction between the position of the optical unit 20 and the position of the eye E to be inspected obtained in S4 and the operating distance of the objective lens 40 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. , It is determined that the Z alignment is completed. When it is determined that the Z alignment is completed (S5: Y), the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S6. When it is determined that the Z alignment is not completed (S5: N), the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S9.

(S6)
When it is determined in S5 that the Z alignment is completed (S5: Y), the control unit 11 controls the measurement optical system 30 according to the function of the measurement optical system 30 to execute the measurement for the eye E to be inspected. .. This completes the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 (end).

(S7)
When it is determined in S3 that the position corresponding to the center of the pupil of the eye E to be inspected is not specified (S3: N), the control unit 11 determines that the eyelid of the eye E to be inspected (S3: N) is the second feature portion in the captured image acquired in S1. The position specifying unit 131 is made to specify the position corresponding to the feature point on the eyelid). As described above, the position specifying unit 131 analyzes the two or more captured images obtained substantially simultaneously by the anterior eye camera 60A and 60B in S1 to obtain the eye E drawn on each captured image. The three-dimensional position of the region corresponding to the eyelid (feature point on the eyelid) is specified as the position of the eye E to be inspected.

(S8)
Subsequently, the control unit 11 covers the optical unit 20 and the eyelid based on the reference position of the optical unit 20 and the position of the eye E to be inspected (position corresponding to the eyelid, position of the feature point on the eyelid) specified in S7. The distance specifying unit 132 specifies the moving distance, which is the distance from the eye examination E.

(S9)
When it is determined in S5 that the Z alignment is not completed (S5: N), or following S8, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the moving distance is equal to or less than a predetermined safe distance. The safe distance may be a distance from the reference position of the optical unit 20 to a position closer to the eye E to be inspected by the sum of the operating distance of the objective lens 40 and a minute distance (for example, 5 mm). When it is determined that the moving distance is equal to or less than the safe distance (S9: Y), the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S11. When it is determined that the moving distance is not less than or equal to the safe distance (S9: N), the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S10.

(S10)
When it is determined in S9 that the moving distance is not less than or equal to the safe distance (S9: N), the control unit 11 accepts an operation on the user interface unit 90 by the user, and the first drive mechanism 80A and the second drive mechanism 80A and the second according to the operation content. The amount of movement of at least one of the drive mechanism 80B is determined. In the present embodiment, for example, the control unit 11 moves the optical unit 20 by controlling the first drive mechanism 80A according to the operation content of the user. After that, the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S2.

(S11)
When it is determined in S9 that the moving distance is equal to or less than the safe distance (S9: Y), the control unit 11 stops the forward movement of the optical unit 20 approaching the eye E by controlling the first drive mechanism 80A. Let me.

(S12)
Subsequently, the control unit 11 controls the first drive mechanism 80A so that the optical unit 20 retracts by a predetermined amount of movement in the direction away from the eye E to be inspected. As a result, the control unit 11 can control the first drive mechanism 80A so as not to approach the eye E to be inspected more than a predetermined distance. After that, the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shifts to S9.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the front eye camera 60 can specify two or more characteristic parts of the eye to be inspected E, and the position of the specified characteristic part can be specified to the position of the eye to be inspected E. Therefore, even if the eye to be inspected E blinks or the line of sight is changed, the position of the eye to be inspected E can be specified and the alignment between the optical unit 20 and the eye to be inspected E can be continued. In particular, since the eyelids are located closer to the optical unit 20 than the apex of the cornea and the pupil, the optical unit 20 and the cover are compared with the case where the eyelids are aligned based on the distance between the optical unit 20 and the center of the pupil or the center of the cornea. Contact with the eye examination E can be avoided more safely.

<Action / effect>
The operation and effect of the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment will be described.

The ophthalmic apparatus (1) according to the embodiment includes an optical system (measuring optical system 30), a driving unit (at least one of the first driving mechanism 80A and the second driving mechanism 80B), and two or more imaging units (anterior eye unit). The cameras 60, 60A, 60B), a position specifying unit (131), a distance specifying unit (132), and a control unit (11) are included. The optical system is used to acquire the data of the eye to be inspected (E). The drive unit relatively moves the optical system and the eye to be inspected in the optical axis direction (Z direction) of the optical system. Two or more imaging units are used to simultaneously image the anterior eye portion (Ea) of the eye to be inspected from different directions. The position specifying unit identifies at least one three-dimensional position of two or more featured parts of the eye to be inspected by analyzing two or more captured images simultaneously obtained by the two or more imaging units. The distance specifying unit specifies the distance (optical system / eye distance to be inspected) between the optical system and the three-dimensional position specified by the position specifying unit. The control unit relatively moves the optical system and the eye to be inspected by controlling the drive unit based on the above-mentioned distance specified by the distance specifying unit.

According to such a configuration, at least one three-dimensional position of two or more characteristic parts of the eye to be inspected is specified by using the images of the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected obtained by two or more imaging parts at the same time. However, since the optical system and the eye to be inspected are moved relative to each other based on the distance between the optical system and the three-dimensional position, the position of the eye to be inspected E can be specified even if the eye to be inspected blinks or the line of sight is changed. Therefore, the alignment between the optical system and the eye to be inspected can be continued.

Further, in the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment, the control unit may control the drive unit so that the optical system does not approach the eye to be inspected more than a predetermined distance based on the above distance.

According to such a configuration, even if the eye to be inspected blinks or the line of sight is changed during the alignment, an ophthalmic apparatus capable of highly accurate alignment while avoiding contact between the optical system and the eye to be inspected. Will be able to provide.

Further, in the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment, when the position specifying unit cannot specify the first characteristic part of the eye to be inspected, the position specifying part specifies the three-dimensional position of the second characteristic part of the eye to be inspected, which is different from the first characteristic part. May be good.

According to such a configuration, even if the position of the region corresponding to the first characteristic portion of the eye to be inspected cannot be specified, the position of the region corresponding to the second characteristic portion is specified as the position of the eye to be inspected, and the optical system and the subject are covered. Alignment with the optometry can be continued.

Further, in the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment, the first characteristic site may be the pupil or the cornea of the eye to be inspected.

According to such a configuration, when the region corresponding to the pupil or cornea of the eye to be inspected is specified, the region corresponding to the pupil or cornea is not specified while performing highly accurate alignment in the optical axis direction of the optical system. However, the alignment operation can be continued.

Further, in the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment, the second characteristic site may be the eyelids or eyelashes of the eye to be inspected.

According to such a configuration, the positions of the eyelids and eyelashes can be specified as the three-dimensional positions of the eye to be inspected even when the eye to be inspected is closed. Alignment can be continued.

Further, the ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an operation unit (user interface unit 90), and the control unit controls the drive unit in response to an operation using the operation unit to move the optical system and the eye to be inspected relative to each other. You may.

According to such a configuration, even if the eye to be inspected blinks or the line of sight is changed during the alignment, the alignment can be performed with high accuracy without giving a sense of discomfort to the operation by the user.

<Modification example>
The embodiments described above are merely typical examples of the present invention. Therefore, any modification (omission, replacement, addition, etc.) within the scope of the gist of the present invention can be appropriately applied.

When a plurality of measurements (photographs) are performed in sequence, alignment can be performed immediately before each measurement. For example, when corneal curvature measurement (kerato measurement), ocular refractive force measurement (ref measurement), and subjective test (vision measurement) are performed in this order, before the kerato measurement, between the kerato measurement and the reflex measurement, and , It is possible to perform alignment between the reflex measurement and the subjective test, respectively. In addition, alignment may be performed immediately before a part of a plurality of measurements.

1 Ophthalmology device 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Data processing unit 20 Optical unit 30 Measurement optical system 40 Objective lenses 60, 60A, 60B Front eye camera 70 Face support 80A First drive mechanism 80B Second drive mechanism 90 User interface unit 131 Positioning part 132 Distance specifying part E Eye to be inspected Ea Anterior eye part

Claims (4)

An optical system for acquiring data of the eye to be inspected,
A drive unit that relatively moves the optical system and the eye to be inspected in the optical axis direction of the optical system,
Two or more imaging units for simultaneously photographing the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected from different directions, and
A position specifying unit that identifies at least one three-dimensional position of two or more characteristic parts of the eye to be inspected by analyzing two or more captured images simultaneously obtained by the two or more imaging units.
A distance specifying unit that specifies the distance between the optical system and the three-dimensional position specified by the position specifying unit, and a distance specifying unit.
A control unit that moves the optical system and the eye to be inspected relative to each other by controlling the driving unit based on the distance specified by the distance specifying unit.
Only including,
When the first characteristic part of the eye to be inspected cannot be specified, the position specifying part identifies a three-dimensional position of the second characteristic part of the eye to be inspected, which is different from the first characteristic part.
The second characteristic portion, said an eyelid or eyelashes of the eye, ophthalmology device. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit so that the optical system does not approach the eye to be inspected more than a predetermined distance based on the distance. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first characteristic site is the pupil or cornea of the eye to be inspected. Including the operation unit
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit in response to an operation using the operation unit to move the optical system and the eye to be inspected relative to each other. The ophthalmic apparatus described in the section.

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