WO2021164864A1

WO2021164864A1 - Vision screening

Info

Publication number: WO2021164864A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/054375
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ola BARTHOLDSSON
Original assignee: Ieye Ab
Priority date: 2020-02-19
Filing date: 2020-02-19
Publication date: 2021-08-26

Abstract

A system for vision screening comprising one or more vision measurement devices, an analysis module and a user interface, wherein: the one or more vision measurement devices configured to capture data representing a user's vision, the analysis module is configured to receive the data representing a user's vision from the one or more vision measurement device, apply the received data to one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis, wherein the reference tables map one or more vision parameters to one or more diagnoses of vision conditions, and generate a presentation of the diagnosis, and the user interface configured to present the presentation to the user.

Description

VISION SCREENING

Field

The present disclosure generally relates to vision testing. In particular, the disclosure relates to a system and method for vision screening and diagnosis.

Background

It is estimated that 2.5 billion people worldwide suffer from uncorrected vision errors. This problem is projected to grow as many young people are now growing up with myopia, a phenomenon known as the "myopia epidemic". In East Asia, an estimated 90% of teenagers and young adults have now developed myopia and are in the need of vision testing. The condition now affects around half of young adults in the United States and Europe. By some estimates, one-third of the world’s population could be affected by myopia by 2050. Large portions of these people are unaware of their vision errors, as they have not tested their vision. In some cases, they have never tested their vision, and in other cases, the last vision test may have been more than five to ten years ago. The implications of this can include health, work and educational related issues such as headaches, tired eyes, difficulties reading or performing work or school tasks, problems driving, etc. One solution to this problem is to increase the availability of vision screenings.

A vision screening, also called an eye test, vision test or vision check, is a brief test that looks for potential vision errors and eye disorders. The purpose of a vision screening is limited to identifying individuals with vision errors, rather than prescribing a vision treatment as in the case of a comprehensive eye examination and/or a subjective refraction conducted by an ophthalmologist and/or optometrists. Vision screenings can be seen as a preliminary test that may lead to a more comprehensive eye examination. Vision screenings have many potential benefits: they are fast, simple, cheap and can be accessible outside of traditional eye clinics. As such, vision screenings have the potential to identify many of the teenagers and young adults now developing myopia.

Vision screenings are often performed by primary care providers, school nurses as part of a child's regular check-up, at special events, or are performed in developing countries where access to comprehensive eye examination and/or subjective refraction is reduced. Vision screenings are rarely offered by optical stores or optometrists offices to adults in developed countries, as the functions included in the vision screening are already included in readily available comprehensive eye examinations.

A vision screening generally only comprises a visual acuity check. A visual acuity test is conducted by using a wall chart or computer screen eye chart that has several rows of letters in different sizes, whereas the individual stands a few meters away from the eye chart and is asked to read the rows with letters in different sizes. This vision screening method has several limitations and problems and cannot be relied on to identify individuals who need vision care effectively and accurately. For example:

• many vision screenings test only for distance visual acuity, not astigmatism, intermediate vision, near vision, how both eyes work together and, as no refraction is done, do not identify the possible types of vision errors;

• often, vision screenings are conducted by administrative personnel or volunteers who have little or no training and do not have the knowledge to competently interpret, analyse, and diagnose screening results;

• the scope of vision screening may be limited by the type of testing equipment available, room lighting, testing distances and maintenance of the testing equipment;

• people often misunderstand what passing a vision screening means as the staff interpreting the result has no know-how to determine its signification and implication on individual's vision and vision related health;

Another vision screening method is to use handheld or table-top auto-refractors or wavefront abberometers for measuring vision errors and/or lensmeters to measure current glasses. An auto-refractor or wavefront aberrometer is a computer-controlled machine, generally used during an eye examination, to provide an objective measurement of an individual's refractive error. This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a patient's eyes, or in the case of abberometers, by measuring an optic system (eye) at a multitude of points based on wavefront methods. These devices will measure right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, cylinder axis, and pupil distance values, among other measurements, which can then be interpreted by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. These devices are generally located at eye clinics and optical stores and are part of a comprehensive eye examination conducted by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Another vision testing method, that may include a vision screening, involves using a vision-screening kiosk. These kiosks have a variety of designs, constructions and methods for conducting both subjective and objective refraction tests. Some kiosks are self-service while others require assistance from staff. As an example, GlobeChek™ has a kiosk with a rotatable table with various vision testing devices, uses an auto refractor to measure the individual’s vision error, makes visual acuity tests using a chart display, and uses a tonometer to measure eye pressure. The test results data is then transmitted to a remote ophthalmologist or optometrist that interprets the data and creates a report that is sent to the individual.

All vision-screening methods described previously deliver some kind of measurement results in "raw" values, without any further analysis of the implication on vision or health, as it is intended that an ophthalmologist and optometrists shall make the analysis. Visual acuity tests provide values in a variety of formats, such as 20/20, 20/40, 20/60 or 6/6, 6/9, 6/18 or 1.00, 0.50, 0.33. It is impossible for an individual not having the knowledge in optometry to understand the implications of these results on vision and health. When using auto-refractors, wavefront abberometers and lensmeters, sphere powers are presented in values between approximately -22.00 to approximately +14.00 in 0.25 or 0.12 increments, cylinder powers in values between -10.00 to +10.00 in 0.25 or 0.12 increments, axis in values between 0 and 180, and near addition powers in values between 0 and +4.50 in 0.25 increments. The generated result presentation format from either the auto-refractor, abberometer or lensmeter, as an example, may be Right S = -2.12; C = -1.12; A = 152; Add +2.25 Left S = -0.12; C = -1.12; A = 152; Add +2.25. These example "raw" values can be interpreted by an expert to determine that the individual has myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism and anisometropia, but these values could not be interpreted by someone lacking the relevant knowledge. The interpretation may be complicated by other variables that influence the vision, e.g. age, accommodation, variances to current glasses and vision and health problems reported by the individual. The interpretation of what these values means and its signification on an individual’s vision and health, individually or in combination, or in combination with auto-refractor, abberometer and lensmeter, can currently only be properly performed by a person skilled in optometry, typically an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

There are up to one hundred different possible diagnoses following a vision screening. Examples are mild, moderate and severe myopia, astigmatism, aniseikonia, presbyopia, anisometropia, various visual disorders and eye diseases, etc. and combinations hereof. The non-skilled person does not have the skills, expertise or education to understand or make any conclusions of the meaning of these descriptions. In some cases, vision screening may actually inhibit the early diagnosis of vision problems as screenings can create a false sense of security for those individuals who pass the screening but actually have a vision problem. These people are then less likely to receive treatment for their vision problem and it could become worse.

The dependency upon having an ophthalmologist, optometrist or any other skilled and educated eye care experts to analyse, interpret and diagnose vision-screening measurements is a problem. This is the main reason for the limited global availability of vision screenings. There is a global shortage of optometry experts, i.e. ophthalmologists and optometrists. In Europe, there are, estimated only one practicing ophthalmologist and optometrist for 10 000 inhabitants. In other parts of the world, there is a much larger shortage of experts. As an example, in 2010 Mozambique had, in 2017, 17 ophthalmologists and 60 optometrists, for a population of about 21 million.

Summary

With this background, there is therefore a need for new technologies and methods to perform accurate and reliable vision screenings or other types of more simple vision screenings that are more accessible. As the limitations of global vision testing is partly because only ophthalmologists and optometrists can accurately interpret, diagnose and propose treatments, a new method and technology is required to increase the supply and access to vision tests. Further, an accurate and reliable method is needed to remove incorrect interpretations, diagnoses and proposed treatments of received measurements from various devices. Further, a method that can receive and process input data from multiple data sources is needed as this would make vision-testing analysis more informative and accurate. Further, a method that can process, analyse a large amount of data input in a very short time and determine its implications on an individual's vision and health is needed. To analyse a large amount of data from various data sources accurately and in a short time period, less than 1 minute, and make qualified diagnoses is impossible for either ophthalmologist, optometrists or any other person. Further, there is a need for a computerized, automated and fast method to generate and visualize vision errors and its implications on an individual's vision and health, without the assistance of experts, such that an individual can make his/her own conclusions and understand the vision test results. The methods and systems disclosed herein attempt to mitigate at least some of these issues.

The present disclosure provides a system and corresponding method for improved vision screening diagnosis, treatment proposal and presentation. Data related to an individual's vision can be determined, and a diagnosis and proposed treatment can be determined reliably and accurately without the need of experts such as ophthalmologists and optometrists.

The system may receive data input from a plurality of reliable and accurate data sources, such as auto-refractions that measure accurately the refractive error of the eye, lensmeters to measure current glasses, information input by a user, data input from reference databases, and, where possible, data from previous vision screening tests or eye examination prescriptions. The system may use predefined mappings between vision test results and diagnoses to determine vision issues. The mappings may be based on combinations of sphere dioptres, cylinder dioptres, addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits. The diagnoses can then be matched to appropriate treatments. The system may use a colour-coded system to communicate the diagnosis, where a specific colour represents a particular diagnosis, to present information in a format understandable for non-skilled people. In some cases, the system may automatically translate the information into a language understandable for the individual, and distribute and modify the presentation to a device and selected by the individual such that they are able to review the presentation.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system for vision screening comprising one or more vision measurement devices, an analysis module, and a user interface, wherein the one or more vision measurement devices are configured to capture data representing a user’s vision, the analysis module is configured to receive the data representing a user’s vision from the one or more vision measurement devices, apply the received data to one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis, wherein the reference tables map one or more vision parameters to one or more diagnoses of vision conditions, and generate a presentation of the one or more diagnoses, and the user interface is configured to present the presentation to the user.

Optionally, the one or more vision measurement devices is configured to capture data representing a user’s vision as part of an objective refraction. Optionally, the one or more vision measurement devices comprises an auto-refractor, a wavefront abberometer and/or a lensmeter. Optionally, the data representing a user’s vision comprises at least one of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, cylinder axis and/or addition power dioptres.

Optionally, the user interface is further configured to receive data input from the user, and the analysis module is further configured to apply the data input by the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices. Optionally, the data input from the user comprises at least one of the user’s age, the user’s vision habits and an identification of the user.

Optionally, the analysis module is further configured to receive data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user, and apply the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices. Optionally, the user interface is configured to receive the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions from the user, or the analysis module is configured to retrieve the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions from one or more databases.

Optionally, the reference tables comprise at least one of a first reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one distance vision diagnosis, a second reference table mapping a combination of cylinder power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one astigmatism diagnosis, a third reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres adjusted by addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits to at least one near vision diagnosis, a fourth reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres adjusted by addition power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one intermediate vision diagnosis, and/or a fifth reference table mapping a combination of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits to at least one text-data block represents a predefined description of symptoms, diagnoses and/or treatments for vision conditions.

Optionally, the analysis module is further configured to apply the received data to the one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis by matching the received data to a diagnosis using predefined refractive error parameters to determine each diagnosis. Optionally, each diagnosis is associated with a particular colour presentation. Optionally, the analysis module is configured to generate a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user by presenting the determined diagnosis in a particular colour format representing the diagnosis. Optionally, the analysis module is configured to generate a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user by automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising a plurality of colour symbols, wherein a coloured symbol is displayed for each of right eye distance vision, left eye distance vision, right eye astigmatism, left eye astigmatism, right eye intermediate vision, left eye intermediate vision, right eye near vision and left eye near vision. Optionally, the analysis module is configured to generate a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user by automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising at least one text block, wherein the text is received from a reference table containing predefined text-blocks. Optionally, the analysis module is further configured to translate the text into a language selected by the user or selected in relation to a country in which the system is implemented, such as by determining an IP address associated with the system.

Optionally, the user interface comprises an electronic screen and/or a touch screen.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method for vision screening performed at a vision screening system comprising one or more vision measurement devices and a user interface, the method comprising receiving data representing a user’s vision from the one or more vision measurement devices, applying the received data to one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis, wherein the reference tables map one or more vision parameters to one or more diagnoses of vision conditions, generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user via the user interface.

Optionally, the one or more vision measurement devices is configured to capture data representing a user’s vision as part of an objective refraction. Optionally, the one or more vision measurement devices comprises an auto-refractor, a wavefront abberometer and/or a lensmeter. Optionally, the data representing a user’s vision comprises at least one of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, cylinder axis and/or addition power dioptres. Optionally, the method further comprises receiving data input from the user via the user interface, and applying the data input from the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices. Optionally, the data input from the user comprises at least one of the user’s age, the user’s vision habits and an identification of the user

Optionally, the method further comprises receiving data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user, and applying the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices. Optionally, the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user is input by the user via the user interface, or is retrieved from one or more databases.

Optionally, applying the received data to the one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis comprises matching the received data to a diagnosis using predefined refractive error parameters to determine each diagnosis.

Optionally, each diagnosis is associated with a particular colour presentation. Optionally, generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user comprises presenting the determined diagnosis in a particular colour format representing the diagnosis. Optionally, generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user comprises automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising a plurality of colour symbols, wherein a coloured symbol is displayed for each of right eye distance vision, left eye distance vision, right eye astigmatism, left eye astigmatism, right eye intermediate vision, left eye intermediate vision, right eye near vision and left eye near vision. Optionally, generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user comprises automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising at least one text block, wherein the text is received from a reference table containing predefined text-blocks. Optionally, the text is translated into a language selected by the user or selected in relation to a country in which the system is implemented, such as by determining an IP address associated with the system.

By taking this approach, many advantages are realised. For example, a solution is provided for people to test their vision to identify any vision errors accurately and reliably. The system can be implemented in various contexts, for example in shopping- mall kiosks, self-service vision screening departments in pharmacies, supermarkets, optical stores, and optometrist's offices. Further, the system allows objective vision testing allowing auto-refractors, wavefront abberometers and lensmeters to be used in a new context, not solely as a pre-testing procedure within a subjective comprehensive eye examination, but as a new type of stand-alone vision screening service that is separated from the standard eye examination. The system eliminates the need to have ophthalmologists or optometrists physically present to interpret and communicate auto refractor and lensmeter data and results. This allows system to be located at new types of locations and in many more places than would be possible if an expert was needed at each location. The system has the potential to supply many more people than now with important information about their vision and potential vision errors. While an ophthalmologist or optometrist normally have a daily capacity of conducting 10 to 20 eye examinations at each location, the disclosed system is able to conduct around 150 to 200 vision screenings per day. The system eliminates errors or misdiagnosis when auto-refractor, wavefront abberometer and lensmeter data is analysed and interpreted by people inadequately trained and educated in optometry.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure shall now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a system for vision screening according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a method for vision screening according to an embodiment; and

FIGs 3a to 3g show examples of a user interface for use with the disclosed system and method; FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system.

Throughout the description and the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Specific Description

Fig. 1 shows a system 100 for vision screening. The system comprises measurement devices 102, user interface 104, a memory 106, reference tables 108, an analysis module 110 and a communication module 112. The different components of the system 100 may be electrically coupled via a bus 114.

Measurement devices 102 may include an auto-refractor, a wavefront abberometer, a lensmeter, and/or other devices capable of taking measurements of vision-related parameters of a user. Measurement data is received from one or multiple measurement devices 102. The measurement devices 102 collect data from the measurement of an individual's eyes or an individual’s current glasses.

An auto-refractor or automated refractor is a computer-controlled machine, normally used during an eye examination to provide an objective measurement of a person's refractive error. This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a person's eye. An auto-refractor can be handheld or table-top, and well-known manufacturers are Topcon, Nidek, Essilor, Rodenstock, Zeiss. Examples of auto refractors that can be used are Topcon KR-1 , Topcon RM-800, Nidek ARK-1 , Welch- Allyn Spotvision screener, Smart Vision labs SVONE.

A lensmeter is a computer-controlled machine, normally used during an eye examination to provide measurements of an individuals' current distance or reading glasses. Example of manufacturers are Topcon, Nidek, Essilor, Rodenstock, Zeiss, and Visionix. Examples of devices are Topcon CL-300, Nidek LM-7P.

A wavefront abberometer is a computer-controlled machine, normally used during an eye examination to provide an objective measurement of a person's refractive error among other measurements. Example of manufacturers are Topcon, Nidek, Essilor, Rodenstock, Zeiss, and Visionix. Examples of devices are Topcon KR-1W, Visionix VX130, and Zeiss i: profiler. Use of the measurement devices 102 enable the system 100 to receive accurate and reliable refractive error measurements from both an individual’s eyes, and in some cases, a current prescription. Further, the system 100 can receive objective measurements without the assistance of experts such as educated optometry staff. Further, the system 100 can be implemented at locations outside an optician's stores and ophthalmologist's offices, for example in shopping-malls, department stores, pharmacies, airports, clothing stores, doctor's surgeries, schools, offices, factories, driving schools.

The user interface 104 may allow data to be input data by an individual using a web- based form or software application. The individual may enter the data using text-input or voice-to-text input. The user interface 104 can be implemented in a wall-mounted touch-screen display, a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop or desktop computer, tablet or a microphone for receiving voice input. The data received can be the individual's age, vision habits and an identification of the user. Vision habits describe how the individual mostly and currently uses his/her eyes, for example working at computers, reading at mobile phone, driving, viewing far distances. Vision habits are important factors when interpreting test results and making a diagnosis. Additional data such as individual's phone number, e-mail address, and language preferences can also be input. The user interface is shown in more detail in Figs 3a to 3g.

Data received from the measurement devices 102 and/or user interface 104 can be stored in a memory 106. The memory 106 may be a temporary data storage device, or a computer storage device located locally to the measurement devices 102 and/or user interface 104, or remotely in cloud-based computer storage. Measurement data may be transmitted to the memory 106 using a LAN-cable, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI-cable, RS232-cable and/or the Internet. The data received from the measuring devices 102 and the user interface 104 can be linked by matching date, time and ID of the system used to make the inputs. In some embodiments, the data received from the measuring devices 102 and data received from the user interface 104 can be stored in separate memories.

The system also comprises reference tables 108 for use in processing the input data into relevant diagnoses and treatments. The reference tables 108 include mappings, which allow different measurements to be mapped to different vision conditions and treatments. One type of reference table consists of predefined mappings between measured refractive errors (or combinations of measured refractive errors, ages and vision habits) and the appropriate diagnoses. To be reliable and accurate, the mappings between measurements, diagnoses are predefined by the guidelines of several experienced ophthalmologists and optometrists and a large number of real historical diagnosis and treatments where each age and vision habit is included as factors. These mappings are described below.

These reference tables may use a colour-coding system, wherein an output colour represents a given diagnosis. In one example, colours may be mapped to diagnoses as follows: Green - no implication on vision and health; orange - low implication on vision and health; red - high implication on vision and health; blue - possible eye diseases and an eye doctor should be visited. The advantage of using a colour to visualize and communicate a vision diagnosis is to rapidly inform and alert to a non-skilled individual, without any optometry expertise, in an understandable format, as opposed to the current system naming and describing one or more vision problems, conditions or diseases in values, text and verbally speaking. The purpose of the colour-coded system of the present invention is to provide a new type of diagnosis format that is more suitable for vision screenings, and to create awareness instead of prescriptions. The exact value and the name of a vision error, e.g. myopia and -2.50 dioptres, is of less importance when conducting a vision screening and can instead have an opposite effect when presented to the individual as it is confusing and can lead to incorrect interpretations. The colour-coding system is a solution to the current problem of how to describe and inform people about a diagnosis following a vision-screening test, specifically when no ophthalmologists or optometrists are available to do so.

Another type of reference table consists of mappings between refraction errors and diagnosed conditions, symptoms and proposed treatments. These tables contain predefined blocks of text-based data, wherein a block represents a description of one or multiple conditions, symptoms and proposed treatments. The conditions can be, for example, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia. Symptoms can be, for example, headaches, reading difficulties, tired eyes, stressed eyes, blurred vision, eye strain, etc. Proposed treatments can be, for example, varifocal glasses, single vision distance glasses, single vision reading glasses, no glasses needed. For example, an output text block could be "Reading difficulties, tired eyes after intensive near work? You have hyperopia and astigmatism and need near single vision glasses to improve vision and relax eyes when reading and working at computer". Another output text block could be "Problems driving at night? You have mild myopia and need distance single vision glasses to improve vision”. These mappings are described below.

The reference tables 108 can be stored in memory 106 with data received from the measuring devices 102 and the user interface 104, or may be stored in a separate memory. Administration of reference tables, for example updating them with the latest parameters for different conditions, can be done using web-based forms.

The system 100 also comprises an analysis module 110. The analysis module 110 is configured to take the measurement data from the measurement devices 102, and the input data from the user interface 104, and apply it to the reference tables 108 to generate a diagnosis and/or treatment. The diagnosis and/or treatment can be presented to the user via the user interface 104. The processing of data to generate a diagnosis and/or treatment is discussed in more detail in relation to Fig. 2. The analysis module 110 may be implemented using a computer system comprising at least one processor.

The system 100 also comprises a communications module 112. The communications module may send and/or receive information related to vision screening. Transmission of information may be by any suitable means, such as a LAN-cable, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI-cable, RS232-cable and/or the Internet. In some embodiments, the communications module 112 can transmit information on a diagnosis and/or treatment to a user for later retrieval and review. The can be achieved, for example, by sending an email to the user including the relevant information.

The system 100 can be implemented in various contexts, for example in shopping-mall kiosks, self-service vision screening departments in pharmacies, supermarkets, optical stores, and optometrist's offices. In embodiments where the system is self-contained, it provides a convenient, fast, low-cost, accurate and reliable solution for people to test their vision to identify any vision errors.

As discussed above, reference tables 108 are used in processing input data into relevant diagnoses and treatments. The reference tables 108 include mappings, which allow different measurements to be mapped to different treatments. Below are examples of predefined reference tables that can used. Other additional such tables may be used. A first example reference table 108a, called a distance vision reference table, contains parameters for the diagnosis of distance vision based on sphere dioptre powers, combined with age groups and user vision habits. Table 108 a

A second example reference table 108b, called an astigmatism reference table, contains parameters for the diagnosis of astigmatism based on cylinder dioptre powers combined with age groups and user vision habits.

Table 108 b

A third example reference table 108c, called a near vision reference table, contains parameters for the diagnosis of near vision based on sphere dioptre powers, adjusted with an addition power dioptre value that is predefined for each age, combined with age groups and user vision habits. The addition power dioptre value is related to presbyopia and the adjustment used is for an assumed 40 cm near working distance and the average addition power dioptre value, for this near vision distance, can be estimated very accurately based on age. The values used herein are calculated as the average values from multiple surveys related to addition powers and age. The addition power value increases with age as the amplitude of accommodation decreases. As an example, the addition power value used for a 20 years old individual is 0 dioptre, and the value used for a 60 years old individual is +2.50 dioptres. Table 108c

A fourth example reference table 108d, called an intermediate vision reference table, contains parameters for the diagnosis of intermediate vision based on sphere dioptre powers adjusted with an addition power dioptre value that is predefined for each age, combined with age groups and user vision habits. The addition power dioptre value is related to presbyopia and the adjustment used is for an assumed 80 cm near working distance and the average addition power dioptre value, for this intermediate vision distance, can be estimated very accurately based on age. The values used herein are calculated as the average values from multiple surveys related to addition powers and age. The addition power value is increasing with age as the amplitude of accommodation decreases. As an example, the addition power value used for a 20 years old individual is 0 dioptre, and the value used for a 60 years old individual is +1.25 dioptres.

Table 108d

A fifth example reference table 108e, called a current distance glasses vision reference table, contains parameters related to the diagnosis of vision when the individual has distance glasses, where the variance is measured between the auto-refractor measurements and the lensmeter measurement that measures the individual's current distance vision glasses.

Table 108e

A sixth example reference table 108f, called a current distance glasses astigmatism reference table, contains parameters related to the diagnosis of astigmatism when the individual has current distance glasses, where the variance is measured between the auto-refractor measurement and the lensmeter measurement. Table 108 f

A seventh example reference table 108g, called a current distance glasses astigmatism axis reference table, contains parameters related to the diagnosis of astigmatism axis when the individual has current distance glasses, where the variance is measured between the auto-refractor measurement and the lensmeter measurement.

Table 108g

An eighth example reference table 108h, called a current distance glasses near vision reference table, contains parameters related to the diagnosis of near vision when the individual has current distance glasses, that in some cases may have an addition power and in other cases no addition power, where the variance is measured between an addition power dioptre value that is predefined for each age, and combined with age groups and user vision habits and from the lensmeter measurement. Table 108h

A ninth example reference table 108i, called a current reading glasses near vision reference table, contains parameters related to the diagnosis of near vision only when the individual has current reading glasses, where the variance is measured between the auto-refractor measurements adjusted by an addition power and the lensmeter measurement.

Table 108i

Today, the diagnosis and the proposal for treatments following an objective or subjective refraction is not predefined, instead it is a wide-ranging subjective interpretation of measured data and vision habits done by a person that can have no such qualifications to do so resulting in wrongfully diagnosis and treatments. Furthermore, the accuracy of diagnosis and treatments is dependent on the accessibility of the skills, education, experiences of an optometry expert. In the case of vision screenings, such expertise is rarely available. Furthermore, even if an optometry expert is conducting the diagnosis and the proposal for treatments following a vision screening, these tasks can be hastily done and be ill thought out and is not repeatable as different optometry expert may make different diagnosis and propose different treatments. Further, an additional improvement is to make the diagnosis and treatment proposals faster, processed in only a few seconds. Today, this process can take up to hours as the ophthalmologist and optometrist may be located in a different location from where the measurements was done. An automated vision screening system using predefined diagnosis and treatments is more objective, reliable and repeatable than subjective diagnosis and treatments done ad-hoc by different people. The colour-coded system of the present invention provides a rapid, low-cost and effective visual means to inform and alert both the individual being tested and also health care providers, such as opticians, ophthalmologist's or optometrists about the diagnosis of the individual. This is useful in several different situations, e.g. as a quick pre-test performed by staff in an optical store and vision screenings performed in shopping malls, pharmacies etc. Most people worldwide, no matter what education background, age and country, understand the difference and meaning of red and green colours, whereas the green colour normally is used for "passed", "accepted", "ok to pass or drive", while a red colour is normally used for "stop", "not passed".

A tenth example reference table 108j, called a text-block vision reference table contains parameters for the selection of the predefined text-block describing one or multiple conditions, symptoms and one or multiple proposed treatments. An individual can have one or multiple vision conditions (e.g. myopia and presbyopia and astigmatism), multiple symptoms (e.g. headaches and reading difficulties), and need multiple treatments (e.g. distance single vision glasses and reading glasses). The text-block vision reference table 108j contains parameters related to distance vision, near vision and intermediate vision and astigmatism based on a combination of right and left eye sphere power, cylinder and addition power, age groups and user vision habits. This means that the diagnosis is based on an overall (holistic) assessment.

Table 108j

By using predefined treatment descriptions, the same content is to be used multiple times to one or many recipients so that is unnecessary to repeatedly recreate the content of those treatments. In contrast, a written treatment that is not predefined must be created by an optometry expert, i.e. ophthalmologists and optometrists, at substantial time, each time and is intended to be written and used only once. Using predefined treatment descriptions in multiple languages is also a solution for the current language problem as an ophthalmologist's and optometrists normally only writes a treatment in his/her native language.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for measuring a user’s vision and outputting a relevant diagnosis and/or treatment. The method can be implemented by the system 100 and allows a user to test their vision and receive an understandable output.

At step 202, input data is received via the user interface 104. As discussed above, a user may input data such as the individual's age, vision habits, data from previous vision screening tests or eye examination prescriptions and ancillary information such as an identification of the user, a phone number, e-mail address, and language preference. The user may input data via the user interface using a web-based form or software application. The individual may enter the data using text-input or voice-to-text input. The user interface 104 can be implemented in a wall-mounted touch-screen display, a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop or desktop computer, tablet or a microphone for receiving voice input.

An example user interface 104 suitable for use in step 202 is shown in Fig. 3a. The interface 104 has a button 302 for indicating if the user currently wears glasses. The interface also has an indicator 304 and associated keypad 306 for entering the user’s age. It will be appreciated that these and other features may be present or absent from the user interface 104 depending on the information that is desired to be collected in step 202. For example, a keyboard may be displayed for entering an email address.

At step 204, the measurement devices 102 are used to capture data about the user’s vision. Instructions may be provided to a user, for example via the user interface 104, regarding how to use the measurement devices correctly. An auto-refractor can capture measurement data regarding an objective refraction. The data received from an auto refractor consists of at least right and left eye sphere powers, cylinder powers, and cylinder angles. In some embodiments, measurement data regarding an objective refraction is captured using a wavefront abberometer. A wavefront abberometer can be used as an alternative to an auto-refractor. The data received from a wavefront abberometer consists of at least right and left eye sphere powers, cylinder powers, and cylinder angles. When the individual currently has glasses, a lensmeter can be used to capture data can regarding the individual's current glasses. The data received from a lensmeter consists of at least right and left eye sphere powers, cylinder powers, and cylinder angles related to the glasses.

At step 206, the data from the measurement devices 102 and/or user interface 104 can be stored. For example, the data can be stored in a memory 106 of the system 100. The data received from the measuring devices 102 and the user interface 104 can be linked by matching date, time and ID of the system used to make the inputs. In some embodiments, the data received from the measuring devices 102 and data received from the user interface 104 can be stored in separate memories. In some embodiments, the data stored in an xml-file containing date and time, exported device ID, measurement ID, measured right and left eye sphere dioptre powers, cylinder dioptre powers, and/or cylinder axis.

At step 208, the measurement data from the measurement devices 102 and/or the input data from the user interface 104 is processed. As discussed above, the data is processed using reference tables 108 to map the data to particular diagnoses and/or treatments. The data can be analysed with respect to a number of conditions, such as right eye distance vision, left eye distance vision, near vision, intermediate vision and/or astigmatism. A diagnosis can be provided for each eye separately or as a combined overall assessment of vision. The processing can be performed by the analysis module 110 of the system 100. The diagnosis for an individual without any current glasses, of left eye and right eye distance vision, separately, is conducted by matching input measurement data for left and right eye sphere dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the distance vision reference table 108a containing predefined sphere, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for distance vision of each eye.

The diagnosis for an individual without any current glasses, of left eye and right eye astigmatism, separately, is conducted by matching input measurement data for left and right eye cylinder dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the astigmatism vision reference table 108b containing predefined cylinders, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for astigmatism of each eye.

The diagnosis for an individual without any current glasses, of near vision, separately, is conducted by matching input measurement data for left and right eye sphere dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the near vision reference table 108c containing predefined spheres, addition power adjustments, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for near vision of each eye.

The diagnosis for an individual without any current glasses, of intermediate vision, separately, is conducted by matching input measurement data for left and right eye sphere dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the intermediate vision reference table 108d containing predefined spheres, addition power adjustments, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for intermediate vision of each eye.

The diagnosis, for an individual with current distance glasses, of left eye and right eye distance vision, separately, is conducted by matching input measurements data from both auto-refractor and lensmeter for left and right eye sphere dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the current distance glasses vision reference table 108e containing predefined sphere, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for distance vision of each eye. The diagnosis, for an individual with current distance glasses, of left eye and right eye astigmatism, separately, is conducted by matching input measurements data from both auto-refractor and lensmeter for left and right eye cylinder dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the current distance glasses astigmatism reference table 108f containing predefined cylinder, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for distance astigmatism of each eye.

The diagnosis, for an individual with current distance glasses, of left eye and right eye astigmatism axis, separately, is conducted by matching input measurements data from both auto-refractor and lensmeter for left and right eye cylinder axis, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the current distance glasses astigmatism axis reference table 108g containing predefined cylinder axis, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for distance astigmatism axis of each eye.

The diagnosis, for an individual with current distance glasses, of left eye and right eye near vision, separately, is conducted by matching input measurements data from lensmeter for left and right eye addition power dioptres, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the current distance glasses near vision reference table 108h containing predefined addition power dioptres, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for near vision of each eye.

The diagnosis, for an individual with current reading glasses, of left eye and right eye near vision, separately, is conducted by matching input measurements data from both auto-refractor and lensmeter for left and right eye sphere powers, and input age and vision habit data from the individual, against the current reading glasses near vision reference table 108i containing predefined sphere powers, adjusted addition power dioptres, age and vision habit data and colour codes. The various input parameters are mapped to a colour code representing the diagnosis for near vision of each eye.

The text-based description of vision errors, symptoms and treatments, for an individual without any current glasses, is conducted by matching input measurement data for left and right eye sphere and cylinder dioptres, and input age and related addition power and vision habit data from the individual, against the text-block vision reference table 108j containing predefined sphere, age, addition power and vision habit data and text- blocks. The various input parameters are mapped to a text-block describing one or more of vision errors, symptoms and treatments.

An example user interface 104 suitable for use in step 208 is shown in Fig. 3b. The interface 104 has a text block 308 for indicating that processing is taking place. The interface also has an icon 310 indicating the same. It will be appreciated that these and other features may be present or absent from the user interface 104.

At step 210, the output of the processing step 208 is presented to a user. As discussed above, dependent on the reference tables 108 that are used in the processing, the output can be a colour signal representing a certain diagnosis, a combined colour/measurement output, or a text block detailing symptoms, diagnoses and/or treatments that are relevant to the user. In some embodiments, the output may be made through a screen, for example a screen forming part of the user interface 104. In some embodiments, the output is provided as a printout for the user to take away. In some embodiments, the output is sent remotely to a user for later retrieval and review, for example in an email or text message.

Example user interfaces 104 suitable for use in step 210 are is shown in Figs 3c to 3g. Fig 3c shows an example interface 104 indicating that the user has satisfactory or optimised vision. The interface has a first output section 312 indicating a distance vision measurement for the left and right eyes, a second output section 314 indicating an astigmatism measurement for the left and right eyes and a third output section 316 indicating a near vision measurement for the left and right eyes. The measurements may be shown in green to indicate satisfactory or optimised vision. It will be appreciated that that these and other output sections representing different parameters may be present or absent from the user interface 104.

Fig 3d shows an example interface 104 indicating that the user has unsatisfactory or non-optimised vision. The interface has a first output section 318 indicating a distance vision measurement for the left and right eyes and a second output section 320 indicating an astigmatism measurement for the left and right eyes. The measurements for the left eye may be shown in green to indicate satisfactory or optimised vision. However, the measurements for the right eye may be shown in red to indicate unsatisfactory or non-optimised vision. Fig 3e shows another example interface 104 indicating that the user has unsatisfactory or non-optimised vision. Similarly to the interface of Fig. 3d, the interface has a first output section 318 indicating a distance vision measurement for the left and right eyes and a second output section 320 indicating an astigmatism measurement for the left and right eyes. The measurements for the left eye may be shown in green to indicate satisfactory or optimised vision. However, the distance vision measurement for the right eye may be shown in orange to indicate partially unsatisfactory or non-optimised vision. The astigmatism measurement for the right eye may be shown in red to indicate unsatisfactory or non-optimised vision.

Figs 3f and 3g show example interfaces 104 indicating that an error has taken place. In Fig. 3f, the interface indicates that an error has occurred, as it was not possible to take accurate measurements. In Fig. 3g, the interface indicates that an error has occurred as is was not possible to make a sufficiently accurate analysis. The error signals may be shown in red.

The disclosed system and method captures data related to an individual's vision, and determines a diagnosis and proposed treatment reliably and accurately without the need of experts such as ophthalmologists and optometrists. This provides a fast, low- cost, accurate and reliable solution for people to test their vision to identify any vision errors. The system eliminates errors or misdiagnosis when auto-refractor and lensmeter data is analysed and interpreted by people inadequately trained and educated in optometry. The system eliminates the need to have ophthalmologists or optometrists physically present to interpret measurement data and communicate results. This allows system to be implemented as a stand-alone vision screening service that is separate from the standard eye examination. The system can be implemented in various contexts and in many more places than would be possible if an expert was needed at each location, for example in shopping-mall kiosks, self-service vision screening departments in pharmacies, supermarkets, optical stores, and optometrist's offices. The system has the potential to supply many more people than now with important information about their vision and potential vision errors.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system 400 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. This example illustrates a computer system 400 such as may be used, in whole, in part, or with various modifications, to provide the functions of the disclosed system. For example, various functions may be controlled by the computer system 400, including, merely by way of example, receiving, generating, applying, retrieving, transmitting, and various modules.

The computer system 400 is shown comprising hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus 490. The hardware elements may include one or more central processing units 410, one or more input devices 420 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, etc.), and one or more output devices 430 (e.g., a display device, a printer, etc.). The computer system 400 may also include one or more storage device 440. By way of example, the storage device(s) 440 may be disk drives, optical storage devices, solid- state storage device such as a random-access memory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the like.

The computer system 400 may additionally include a computer-readable storage media reader 450, a communications system 460 (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, Bluetooth™ device, cellular communication device, etc.), and a working memory 480, which may include RAM and ROM devices as described above. In some embodiments, the computer system 400 may also include a processing acceleration unit 470, which can include a digital signal processor, a special-purpose processor and/or the like.

The computer-readable storage media reader 450 can further be connected to a computer-readable storage medium, together (and, optionally, in combination with the storage device(s) 440) comprehensively representing remote, local, fixed, and/or removable storage devices plus storage media for temporarily and/or more permanently containing computer-readable information. The communications system 460 may permit data to be exchanged with a network, system, computer and/or other component described above.

The computer system 400 may also comprise software elements, shown as being currently located within the working memory 480, including an operating system 488 and/or other code 484. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of a computer system 400 may have numerous variations from that described above. For example, customised hardware might also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connection to other computing devices such as network input/output and data acquisition devices may also occur. Software of the computer system 400 may include code 484 for implementing any or all of the function of the various elements of the architecture as described herein. For example, software, stored on and/or executed by a computer system such as the system 400, can provide the functions of the disclosed system. Methods implementable by software on some of these components have been discussed above in more detail.

It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A system for vision screening comprising: one or more vision measurement devices; an analysis module; and a user interface, wherein: the one or more vision measurement devices are configured to capture data representing a user’s vision; the analysis module is configured to receive the data representing a user’s vision from the one or more vision measurement devices, apply the received data to one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis, wherein the reference tables map one or more vision parameters to one or more diagnoses of vision conditions, and generate a presentation of the one or more diagnoses; and the user interface is configured to present the presentation to the user.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vision measurement devices is configured to capture data representing a user’s vision as part of an objective refraction.

3. The system of claim 1 or2, wherein the one or more vision measurement devices comprises an auto-refractor, a wavefront abberometer and/or a lensmeter.

4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the data representing a user’s vision comprises at least one of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, cylinder axis and/or addition power dioptres.

5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein: the user interface is further configured to receive data input from the user; and the analysis module is further configured to apply the data input by the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the data input from the user comprises at least one of the user’s age, the user’s vision habits and an identification of the user.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the analysis module is further configured to: receive data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user; and apply the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein: the user interface is configured to receive the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions from the user; or the analysis module is configured to retrieve the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions from one or more databases.

9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the reference tables comprise at least one of: a first reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one distance vision diagnosis; a second reference table mapping a combination of cylinder power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one astigmatism diagnosis; a third reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres adjusted by addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits to at least one near vision diagnosis; a fourth reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres adjusted by addition power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one intermediate vision diagnosis; and/or a fifth reference table mapping a combination of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits to at least one text-data block represents a predefined description of symptoms, diagnoses and/or treatments for vision conditions.

10. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the analysis module is further configured to apply the received data to the one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis by matching the received data to a diagnosis using predefined refractive error parameters to determine each diagnosis.

11 .The system of any preceding claim, wherein each diagnosis is associated with a particular colour presentation.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the analysis module is configured to generate a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user by presenting the determined diagnosis in a particular colour format representing the diagnosis.

13. The system of claims 11 or 12, wherein the analysis module is configured to generate a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user by automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising a plurality of colour symbols, wherein a coloured symbol is displayed for each of right eye distance vision, left eye distance vision, right eye astigmatism, left eye astigmatism, right eye intermediate vision, left eye intermediate vision, right eye near vision and left eye near vision.

14. The system of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the analysis module is configured to generate a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user by automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising at least one text block, wherein the text is received from a reference table containing predefined text-blocks.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the analysis module is further configured to translate the text into a language selected by the user or selected in relation to a country in which the system is implemented, such as by determining an IP address associated with the system.

16. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the user interface comprises an electronic screen and/or a touch screen.

17. A method for vision screening performed at a vision screening system comprising one or more vision measurement devices and a user interface, the method comprising: receiving data representing a user’s vision from the one or more vision measurement devices; applying the received data to one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis, wherein the reference tables map one or more vision parameters to one or more diagnoses of vision conditions; generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user via the user interface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more vision measurement devices is configured to capture data representing a user’s vision as part of an objective refraction.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the one or more vision measurement devices comprises an auto-refractor, a wavefront abberometer and/or a lensmeter.

20. The method of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the data representing a user’s vision comprises at least one of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, cylinder axis and/or addition power dioptres.

21 .The method of any of claims 17 to 20, further comprising: receiving data input from the user via the user interface; and applying the data input from the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the data input from the user comprises at least one of the user’s age, the user’s vision habits and an identification of the user

23. The method of any of claims 17 to 22, further comprising: receiving data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user; and applying the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user to the one or more reference tables along with the data received from the one or more vision measurement devices.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the data representing historic eye examination prescriptions of the user is input by the user via the user interface, or is retrieved from one or more databases.

25. The method of any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the reference tables comprise at least one of: a first reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one distance vision diagnosis; a second reference table mapping a combination of cylinder power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one astigmatism diagnosis; a third reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres adjusted by addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits to at least one near vision diagnosis; a fourth reference table mapping a combination of sphere power dioptres adjusted by addition power dioptres, age and/or user vision habits to at least one intermediate vision diagnosis; and/or a fifth reference table mapping a combination of right and left eye sphere power dioptres, cylinder power dioptres, addition power dioptres, age and user vision habits to at least one text-data block represents a predefined description of symptoms, diagnoses and/or treatments for vision conditions.

26. The method of any of claims 17 to 25, wherein applying the received data to the one or more reference tables to determine a diagnosis comprises matching the received data to a diagnosis using predefined refractive error parameters to determine each diagnosis.

27. The method of any of claims 17 to 26, wherein each diagnosis is associated with a particular colour presentation.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user comprises presenting the determined diagnosis in a particular colour format representing the diagnosis.

29. The method of claims 27 or 28, wherein generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user comprises automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising a plurality of colour symbols, wherein a coloured symbol is displayed for each of right eye distance vision, left eye distance vision, right eye astigmatism, left eye astigmatism, right eye intermediate vision, left eye intermediate vision, right eye near vision and left eye near vision.

30. The method of any of claims 27 to 29, wherein generating a presentation of the diagnosis for presentation to the user comprises automatically generating an electronic presentation comprising at least one text block, wherein the text is received from a reference table containing predefined text-blocks.

31 .The method of claim 30, wherein the text is translated into a language selected by the user or selected in relation to a country in which the system is implemented, such as by determining an IP address associated with the system.

32. The method of any of claims 17 to 31 , wherein the user interface comprises an electronic screen and/or a touch screen.