GB2361374A

GB2361374A - Ophthalmic dispensing via the internet

Info

Publication number: GB2361374A
Application number: GB0009239A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anil Kumar Gupta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-14
Filing date: 2000-04-14
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Also published as: GB0009239D0

Abstract

Using an internet connected PC with associated camera, an image of a person's face can be generated and have superimposed on it images of a selected spectacle frames. The image may also have superimposed on it a grid for measuring the pupillary distance, after the person has pointed out the centre of their pupils, or the distance from pupil/eyelid to the bottom of the rim as is required for creation of varifocal/bifocal lenses. A remote Optician (or equivalent) is then able to dispense spectacles of the correct size without requiring the physical presence of the person.

Description

1 Ophthalmic Dispening on the Internet 2361374 This invention relates to

the dispensing of spectacles to a person on the internet, and thus allowing the person to choose a pair of spectacles no matter where they are, as long as they have a computer and a camera attached.

At present a person can only obtain spectacles if the he or she visits the optician in person; with my invention a person can purchase a pair of spectacles with an accurate pair of prescription lenses, via the Internet. This is not an altmative to visiting the optician, but an additional method of buying spectacles.

The invention allows a person to look at and pick a pair of spectacles of their choosing, and have the criteria, which are required to have a pair of spectacles fitted, determined by a few simple procedures, which can be completed on the Internet. It allows the person to look at how different frames and how the spectacles may suit their face, and thus choose a pair that is appropriate for them.

Thus, accordingly, the invention provides a means to dispense glasses to a person, without them physically being with the optician. The essential features of the invention is thus: The person requires a computer with an Internet connection. The person requires a video camera that is attached to the computer. They must take a picture of themselves within a frame provided on-screen. Then the spectacle frame they choose will then be superimposed on the face, and this will be used for the measurements. They must then point out the centre of their pupils. See Figure 1. A graph will then be superimposed on the face. The graph will have I mm gridlines, thus proportionally the distance between the two pupils can thus be measured for the accurate pupillary distance (RD). See as above P. D. is the distance between the two pupils, which is required for accuracy for single vision lenses.

For bifocal lenses, the procedure is slightly different. The person who already having had an eye-test will already have worn bifocals, will have a personal requirement as to the reading portion size of the lens. This can be varied, as explained below, a perpendicular line will need to be drawn from the centre of the pupil to the inside of the bottom rim of the spectacle frame.

0 Then the height can be measured from the inside of the bottom of the rim to the power eyelid, or any other point depending upon the requirements of the person. See Figure 1. Then a measurement is taken from the bottom of the eyelid to the inside edge of the rim using this perpendicular line drawn. Depending on the size of the reading portion required by the person, the measurement can be taken either higher or lower from the bottom of the eyelid. The person can try on different types of shapes bifocal lenses, depending on what they need and/or like. See Figure 2. This is because; the person's functional requirements may require them to have a bigger reading portion, for example. Hence, there is the option of trying different proportions of shapes and sizes.

2_ For varifocal lenses there is another procedure required. The measurement of the entire distance from the centre of the pupil to the edge of the inside rim of the spectacle frame is required. See Figure 1.

In order to give the full options of what the particular spectacle will appear with particular lenses, the options of pasting different lens types with different spectacles will be available. For example, a photo chromic lens, that changes colour in the sunlight will be able to be contrasted with different spectacles, with the different colours the lens can change to.

The varifocal lens wearers will benefit especially because they will be able to differentiate between designs, e.g. soft and hard; and also visualise on-screen the field of vision they can hope for. Also, the distortions that will occur with the different lenses can be visualised.

0 The distinction between soft and hard design will have to be explained because the soft design of the varifocal lens allows the transition from distance to reading to be easier than when a hard design varifocal lens is used. The hard design is a more difficult lens to get used to. See Figure 3 Another feature of this programme is that there are wide varieties of lenses with different thicknesses. The person can compare the different lens thicknesses with the spectacles that they are deciding upon.

This invention requires that the person have an up to date prescription from a qualified Ophthalmic Optician or someone with similar and recognised qualifications.

For the first time wearer of spectacles, the various options will be explained in full. For a person who already wears spectacles, they will already know the type of lens they require. With regular eye-tests that comply with the rules and regulations as stated by their prescriber, they should be knowledgeable with regards to the state of their eyes and the requirements needed.

As this may appear complex, with a programme written designed specifically for this purpose, it will be easy to operate. The essential idea, is carry out these measurements and details with a step by step guide for the user, and complete notes on the reasons for each stage. A pair of spectacles cannot be made up, without every piece of the above information.

Then, this will be sent to us, complete with the picture and measurements taken and a qualified Optician will carry out the following requirements.

They will take all the details and the picture to maintain a copy.

The spectacles form the information given can then be made for the person.

In conclusion, this invention allows the use of the World Wide Web for the administering of spectacles after an eye-examination. It removes the imperative of meeting the Dispensing Optician (or equivalent) in person. This does not replace the Dispensing Optician, but provides an alternative, depending upon the situation the person is in.

3 There are a number of conditions the person must meet in order to use this programme, and it is the duty of the Optician at the receiving end of this information to decide whether the administering of spectacles in this manner is appropriate to the person.

Claims

1.

A method of receiving the dispensing of spectacle glasses using the World Wide Web, thus not requiring the physical presence of a Dispensing Optician (or equivalent) with the person.

2.

The method of dispensing in claim 1, requires the presence of a computer with an Internet connection and a camera attached. It also requires the person to have had an ophthalmic eye examination as laid down by the law.

3. The method of dispensing made in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein it simply requires the following of the procedure given on the screen using the afore mentioned camera and other standard computer aids.

4. The dispensing of spectacles on the Internet as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the person can choose from a variety of lenses depending, which one is most appropriate to them.

The dispensing of spectacles on the Internet as claimed in claim

5 wherein the person can visualise what the particular pair of spectacles will look like, using the programme parameters.

6. The dispensing of spectacles on the Internet as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, will allow the same variety and expertise as being in the Optician (or equivalent) for people who meet the criteria.

The dispensing of spectacles on the Internet as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the person can have the full range of choice of glasses and lenses.

8.

The dispensing of spectacles on the Internet as described herein with references to Figures 1-3 of the previously explained drawings.

4 Annex Figure 2 These are just two examples of the type of bifocal lenses that are currently available. The left one is called D25 and the right is called round -38.

Figure 3 On the left is the hard lens, the design means that there are distortions towards to right hand side that make the transition more difficult. On the right is the smooth design, which has a smoother design with no major distortion. It would be the decision of the person as to which lens they would prefer, if they require a varifocal lens