JP2002116150A - Method and apparatus for detecting dirt on eye lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for easily detecting dirt adhering to an eye lens, such as proteins or lipid, without making contact therewith and without causing changes in the material of the eye lens, by imaging the position and degree of adhesion of dirt, and an eye lens dirt detecting apparatus capable of advantageously achieving the detection of such dirt on the eye lens. SOLUTION: With excitation light for exciting dirt to cause fluorescence, the eye lens with the dirt adhering thereto is irradiated, and a fluorescent image of the lens corresponding to the dirt, which is produced by the fluorescence caused by irradiation with such excitation light, is detected. Also, the fluorescent image is compared with a reference fluorescent image of the eye lens taken before adhesion of the dirt, so that an image of the lens with the dirt adhering thereto is obtained showing the condition of the eye lens in which dirt adheres thereto.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for imaging and detecting the site and degree of dirt of proteins and lipids adhering to an ophthalmic lens such as a contact lens. The present invention relates to a method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens, and an apparatus for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens, which can advantageously realize such detection of dirt on the ophthalmic lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in an ophthalmic lens such as a contact lens, when worn, proteins and lipids contained in tears cause stains on the surface or inside of the ophthalmic lens. In addition, various problems such as deterioration of wearing feeling, deterioration of oxygen permeation performance, deterioration of visual acuity, and corneal disorder may be caused by such lens contamination.

[0003] Such lens stains are not uniformly seen by all wearers, and although there are some individual differences, the type of stains depends on the material (material) of the ophthalmic lens. And the degree of adhesion is different. Further, even in the case of an ophthalmic lens made of the same material, a portion where dirt is attached and a degree of attachment are influenced by the lens shape (lens design).

[0004] By the way, various methods have conventionally been adopted as a method for detecting such lens stains. For example, stains (proteins, lipids, etc.) adhered to an ophthalmic lens are extracted into a predetermined extract. A method of analyzing various stains such as proteins and lipids contained in the extraction solution by carrying out an inspection corresponding to lens stains on the obtained extraction solution and extracting the obtained extraction solution. Have been. As a method for detecting such a dirt in a solution, for example, a method for measuring absorbance or Raman light disclosed in JP-A-9-15155, and a method described in JP-A-11-94.
Various known methods such as a method of measuring the fluorescence intensity using a fluorescent probe (fluorescent dye for protein staining) as disclosed in JP-A-795 are adopted. However, in the above-described method, since various detection operations are performed on the extraction solution, that is, the solution containing the dirt, the dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens such as the contact lens is used. When detecting the dirt, the preparation work until the detection operation is performed becomes complicated, and the obtained detection result indicates the total amount of dirt adhering to the ophthalmic lens, and the detected dirt adhering portion In addition, it was impossible to specify the degree of adhesion of dirt on the adhesion site.

On the other hand, in order to detect the site of lens contamination and the degree of contamination at the site, a staining reagent capable of selectively staining desired soil in accordance with various types of soil. It has also been considered to apply the directly to the ophthalmic lens, and to observe the staining site of the ophthalmic lens and the density of the staining using a microscope or the like to detect the adhesion site and the degree of the adhesion. I have. However, when such a method is adopted, the stained lens can no longer be used as it is, and of course, even if the lens is decolorized after the detection of lens contamination, the lens surface cannot be used. And the inside of the lens (especially, in the case of a water-containing lens), the dyeing reagent remains, causing a change in the quality of the ophthalmic lens, and the like.
There are inherent problems such as difficulty in reusing the ophthalmic lens.

[0006]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to cause a quality change of an ophthalmic lens in a non-contact manner. A method for easily detecting dirt such as proteins and lipids adhering to the ophthalmic lens by imaging the adhering site and the degree of the adhering, and a method for easily detecting such dirt on the ophthalmic lens. An object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmic lens dirt detection device that can be advantageously implemented,
Another problem to be solved is that from such images,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for quantifying the total or partial contamination of the ophthalmic lens attached to the ophthalmic lens, and an ophthalmic lens detecting device having such a quantifying function.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, (a) an excitation light capable of generating fluorescence by exciting a stain on an ophthalmic lens to which the stain is attached. (B) detecting a stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image formed by fluorescence mainly generated from stains attached to the ophthalmic lens by the irradiation of the excitation light; and (c) detecting the detected fluorescence image. Compared with the stain corresponding lens fluorescent image, the reference lens fluorescent image formed by irradiating the excitation light to the ophthalmic lens before the stain is obtained in advance,
A method for detecting a stain-attached lens image indicating a stain-attached state of the ophthalmic lens.

That is, in the method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention as described above, a predetermined excitation light is applied to an ophthalmic lens such as a contact lens to which dirt is adhered by wearing or the like. Since the fluorescence generated from the dirt due to the irradiation is detected over the entire lens, it is possible to image the dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens and directly detect it as a dirt corresponding lens fluorescent image. Thus, it is possible to easily know the adhesion site of the stain such as proteins and lipids attached to the lens and the degree of the attachment without contact.

Therefore, in such a dirt detection method, the dirt-removed lens removed from the wearer may remain on the lens surface or the inner surface, such as a staining reagent, and adversely affect the lens. Since no substance is used, it is possible to enjoy the advantage that the ophthalmic lens can be worn again after the contamination test.

Further, according to the present invention, a reference lens fluorescent image obtained by irradiating a predetermined excitation light to an ophthalmic lens (reference lens) before dirt is attached is obtained in advance. However, in comparison with the above-described stain-compatible lens fluorescent image, a stain-attached lens image indicating the stain-attached state of the ophthalmic lens can be obtained. Detecting background such as fluorescence caused by other factors as dirt is effectively avoided, and an accurate dirt-adhered lens image can be obtained.

In one preferred embodiment of the method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, the reference lens fluorescent image is obtained from the ophthalmic lens before the dirt adheres in the same manner as the dirt-compatible lens fluorescent image. Will be required. As described above, the stain state of the ophthalmic lens (dirt-attached lens image) can be determined by determining the stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image after the stain is attached and the reference lens fluorescent image before the stain is attached under the same conditions. It will be possible to detect it more accurately.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the detection of the stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image is performed by imaging the ophthalmic lens irradiated with the excitation light with a CCD camera. But desirable. By adopting such a configuration, imaging of lens dirt can be realized even more advantageously.

Further, according to another preferred embodiment of the method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, the dirt-adhered lens image is subtracted from the dirt-corresponding lens fluorescent image by the reference lens fluorescent image. It is desirable to obtain the condition (1), whereby the contamination state of the ophthalmic lens can be grasped more reliably.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, when detecting protein dirt adhering to the ophthalmic lens, light having a wavelength of 275 to 295 nm is used as the excitation light. While used
The fluorescence is detected at a wavelength of 340 to 360 nm, and when detecting lipid stains attached to the ophthalmic lens, light having a wavelength of 340 to 390 nm is used as the excitation light, while the fluorescence is 430-47
It is detected at a wavelength of 0 nm. By adopting such a configuration, various stains (proteins and lipids) can be more effectively and selectively detected without using any staining reagent or the like that adversely affects the ophthalmic lens. It becomes possible.

[0015] In addition, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, when detecting protein stain adhering to the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens is irradiated with 280.
It is desirable that the intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of nm is 0.75 μW / cm ² or more, and when the lipid stain adhering to the ophthalmic lens is detected, the ophthalmic lens is irradiated. It is desirable that the intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of 340 to 390 nm is 0.75 μW / cm ² or more. By irradiating such an excitation light to the ophthalmic lens, the intensity of the generated fluorescence is increased, and it is possible to obtain a clearer image of the lens with dirt attached.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, the dirt adhering to the ophthalmic lens determines the fluorescence intensity in pixel units obtained from the dirt-adhered lens image. By integrating, it is determined in a predetermined area of the ophthalmic lens.

The amount of dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens is determined by using an integrated value obtained by integrating the fluorescence intensity of the pixel unit, using a reference solution of a known concentration in which the dirt component is dissolved. It is desirable that the comparison be made with a calibration curve previously determined from the product of the fluorescence intensity and the detection area thereof and the amount of the dirt component dissolved in the reference solution.

In the present invention, a detection apparatus which is advantageously employed in the above-described method of detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens is also an object of the present invention. Irradiating means for irradiating the ophthalmic lens with excitation light capable of exciting the dirt to generate fluorescence,
(B) detection means for detecting a stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image formed by fluorescence mainly generated from the dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens by irradiation of the excitation light, and (c) the detected stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image. And a reference lens fluorescent image formed by irradiating the excitation light to the ophthalmic lens before the dirt adhesion is obtained in advance to obtain a dirt-adhered lens image indicating a dirt-adhered state on the ophthalmic lens. As described above, the gist of the present invention is an ophthalmic lens dirt detecting apparatus having an analyzing means for performing an analysis and an output means for outputting a dirt-adhered lens image obtained by the analyzing means. I have. By adopting the eye lens dirt detection device having such features, it is possible to enjoy the same excellent advantages as those of the dirt detection method described above.

According to one preferred embodiment of the apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, as the detecting means, an image of the ophthalmic lens irradiated with the excitation light is taken, and the degree of adhesion of the dirt is measured. The imaging means for detecting as a lens image that spatially indicates the magnitude of the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the above will be advantageously used.

Further, according to another preferred embodiment of the ophthalmic lens dirt detecting apparatus according to the present invention, the dirt detecting apparatus includes a power, a diameter, a thickness, a radius of curvature of a base curve, and the like of the ophthalmic lens. Standard input means for inputting the standard of
Storage means for storing the reference lens fluorescent image in the ophthalmic lens of various standards, and the reference means of the ophthalmic lens is stored from the storage means based on the standard information input by the standard input means. The lens fluorescent image is taken out and compared with the detected stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image in the analyzing means. By simply inputting the required standard of the ophthalmic lens with such a standard input means, the reference lens fluorescent image of the ophthalmic lens (reference lens) before the dirt is stored in the storage means in advance. From that point, every time the lens is inspected for dirt, the reference lens of the same standard as the dirt-adhered lens is irradiated with predetermined excitation light, and the fluorescence generated by the excitation light is detected to obtain the reference lens fluorescence. Since no operation for detecting an image is performed, the detection of dirt on the ophthalmic lens in one inspection can be realized more simply and efficiently.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the analyzing means includes a subtracting means for subtracting the reference lens fluorescent image from the stain corresponding lens fluorescent image. Thus, the dirt condition of the ophthalmic lens can be grasped more reliably.

Further, according to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the analyzing means analyzes the lens stain to a multi-tone color, and converts the stain-attached lens image to the multi-tone color. It is configured to output to the output means, whereby it is possible to more easily recognize the adhesion site and the degree of adhesion of the dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens.

Further, according to another aspect of the dirt detection device according to the present invention, according to the type of dirt on the ophthalmic lens, the wavelength of the excitation light and / or the fluorescence corresponding to the type of dirt is transmitted. It is desirable to provide an optical filter between the light source of the excitation light and the ophthalmic lens and / or between the ophthalmic lens and the detecting means.

According to another preferred embodiment of the apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, the detecting means includes a light receiving frequency band of 340 to 600 nm.
It is desirable to have a quantum efficiency of 0% or more, which makes it possible to obtain a clearer stain-adhered lens image.

In addition, according to another aspect of the stain detecting apparatus according to the present invention, the analyzing means further includes an integrating means for integrating the fluorescence intensity of each pixel obtained from the stained lens image. Is desirable.

Further, according to another preferred embodiment of the dirt detection apparatus for an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention, the analyzing means detects the fluorescence intensity of a reference solution of a known concentration in which the dirt component is dissolved and its detection. A calibration curve creating section for creating a calibration curve indicating the relationship between the product of the area and the dissolution amount of the dirt component in the reference solution, and an integrated value obtained by the integrating means and obtained by the calibration curve creating section It is desirable to further have a quantification unit for quantifying lens dirt by comparing with a calibration curve. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce not only the dirt-adhered portion but also the adhering amount. Can also be detected.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 schematically shows an explanatory diagram functionally showing a device for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, reference numeral 10 denotes an irradiation unit for irradiating the contact lens 12 as the subject lens with excitation light. In particular, proteins and lipids as lens stains are excited to emit fluorescence. It has a light source capable of irradiating light (excitation light) of a predetermined wavelength. As such a light source, various types of conventionally known light irradiation devices capable of irradiating a desired excitation light, for example, a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, a deuterium lamp, a tungsten-iodine lamp, a laser light irradiation A device or the like is appropriately selected and used.

In general, the fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the excitation light increases in proportion to the intensity of the excitation light source. Therefore, if a laser having a light intensity higher than that of various lamps is used as the light source, the fluorescence to be detected is increased. There is an advantage that the sensitivity (intensity) of the liquid crystal becomes higher. Needless to say, in the case of employing laser light, it is necessary to use the laser light to such an extent that deterioration of the lens is not caused.

In the present invention, with respect to the excitation light selected in accordance with the type of dirt, the excitation wavelength of the protein or lipid, which is to be detected as the main lens dirt, or the light of the excitation wavelength is irradiated. As the wavelength of the fluorescence generated by the above, those shown in Table 1 below are preferably used.

[0031]

[Table 1]

As is clear from Table 1, since proteins and lipids, which are typical lens stains, have different excitation wavelengths, only excitation light having a predetermined wavelength is irradiated to the lens. Thus, it can be seen that even if those stains adhere to the same site, each can be detected separately and selectively. In addition, in Table 1, the fluorescence wavelength of the protein and the excitation wavelength of the lipid overlap in some wavelength ranges, but the fluorescence generated from the protein is not strong enough to excite the lipid, Therefore, the fluorescence of the protein does not excite the lipid and cause no problem.

In order to obtain a clearer fluorescent image or to detect a much smaller amount of dirt in the specific wavelength range shown in Table 1 below, excitation light applied to the ophthalmic lens is required. It is desirable to increase the intensity of the excitation light, for example, when detecting protein stains attached to the ophthalmic lens, the intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of 280 nm is
It is preferable that the intensity is 0.75 μW / cm ² or more. On the other hand, when detecting lipid stain adhering to the ophthalmic lens, the intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of 340 to 390 nm is 0.
It is desirable that it be 75 μW / cm ² or more.

By the way, in the present embodiment, in order to irradiate the above-mentioned light in the predetermined wavelength region exclusively to the lens, the excitation light corresponding to the type of stain on the ophthalmic lens is provided between the light source and the contact lens 12. An optical filter 14 for transmitting light is provided. As a result, excess light having a wavelength other than the excitation wavelength emitted from the light source is blocked, and the desired excitation light is exclusively irradiated to the contact lens 12.

It should be noted that such an optical filter 14 depends on the intensity of light emitted from the light source. For example, a 200 W mercury-xenon lamp or the like is used as a light source and shown in Table 1 above. When detecting protein stains, an optical filter having a spectral transmittance at 280 nm of 20% or more is used so that light having a wavelength of 275 nm to 295 nm can be mainly transmitted to irradiate the contact lens 12. Preferably, by employing such an optical filter 14, the excitation light having a wavelength of 280 nm transmitted through the optical filter 14 has a wavelength of 0.7 mm.
It has a strength of 5 μW / cm ² or more. In contrast, the spectral transmittance at 280 nm is 2
If it is below 0%,
Since the fluorescence depends on the intensity of the excitation light source, the fluorescence also weakens, making it difficult to detect the fluorescence, that is, to detect the stain.

On the other hand, when detecting lipid stains, the spectral transmittance at 340 nm to 390 nm is 20% or more so that light having a wavelength of 340 nm to 390 nm can be mainly transmitted to irradiate the contact lens 12. An optical filter will be suitably employed.
By employing such an optical filter 14,
The intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of 340 nm to 390 nm transmitted through the optical filter 14 is 0.75 μW / cm ² or more. If the spectral transmittance at 340 nm to 390 nm is less than 20%, the excitation of lipid dirt becomes insufficient, and it becomes difficult to detect dirt.

The excitation light emitted from the irradiating means 10 as described above is applied to the entire contact lens 12, and the excitation light excites the lens dirt. The fluorescent image formed by the fluorescent light generated by this excitation is detected by the detecting means 16. In particular, such detection means 16 detects the fluorescence over the entire contact lens 12 and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal to determine the magnitude of the fluorescence intensity, in other words, the degree of adhesion of dirt. Appropriate imaging means that can be obtained as a lens image (fluorescent image) shown in place, specifically, CC
A known imaging means such as a D camera, a stereoscopic microscope or a combination of a macro lens and a CCD camera is suitably used.

The detecting means 16 as described above has a light receiving frequency band of 340 to 600 nm.
Those having a quantum efficiency of 0% or more are more desirable, and by appropriately employing such detection means 16, it becomes possible to detect fluorescence with higher sensitivity. A clear fluorescent image can be obtained.

Incidentally, an optical filter 18 capable of exclusively transmitting light of a desired wavelength is provided between the detecting means 16 and the contact lens 12, whereby the intensity is markedly higher than that of fluorescence. By cutting off excess light such as large excitation light, it is possible to selectively detect only the fluorescence mainly emitted from the excited predetermined dirt. And such an optical filter 1
For example, when detecting fluorescence caused by protein contamination so that fluorescence having a wavelength as shown in Table 1 can be detected, the spectral transmittance at 340 nm to 360 nm is 50% or more. When detecting fluorescence due to lipid contamination, it is preferable to use an optical filter having a spectral transmittance of 420 nm or more and 50% or more, respectively. The spectral transmittance of the optical filter 18 in the above wavelength range is 5
When it is less than 0%, problems such as a decrease in detection sensitivity are caused.

Then, only the light transmitted through the optical filter 18 is detected by the above-mentioned detecting means 16, and
Thus, a fluorescent image of the stain-attached lens (a stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image a) is obtained. Further, the stain corresponding lens fluorescent image a detected in this way is sent to the analyzing means 20 which performs arithmetic processing of various data. The analyzing unit 20 mainly includes a subtracting unit 22 for performing a subtraction process, a reference lens fluorescent image acquiring unit 24 for extracting existing data, and a color image for analyzing the degree of adhesion of lens dirt to multi-tone colors. It has a conversion unit 26,
It can be executed by various known computers such as a personal computer.

The dirt-corresponding lens fluorescent image a sent to such an analyzing means 20 is first subjected to a predetermined subtraction processing by a subtracting means 22 to show a dirt-adhered lens state. This is corrected to the image c. Further, the obtained dirt-adhered lens image c is multiplied by the color image converter 26 in accordance with the degree of the dirt-adhered, in other words, the fluorescence intensity corrected by the subtracting means 22. The image is converted into a gradation image and converted into a color image.
Is output by well-known output means 28 such as a display or a printer, so that the measurer can easily recognize the site of the contamination and the degree of the contamination.

More specifically, the subtraction means 22 performs a subtraction process for subtracting the fluorescent image (reference lens fluorescent image b) of the lens (reference lens) before the dirt adheres from the dirty lens fluorescent image a. As a result, an intended dirt-adhered lens image c is obtained as a differential image. In other words, the fluorescence detected by the detection means 16 over the entire lens is mainly emitted from a predetermined dirt which is a measurement target, but other than the above, fluorescence caused from other than the measurement target and other fluorescence are emitted. Since light may be detected at the same time, a fluorescent image (equivalent to the reference lens fluorescent image b) generated by a cause other than such a measurement target may be detected as lens contamination. In order to prevent this, the subtraction means 22 subtracts the reference lens fluorescent image b from the dirty lens fluorescent image a. Such a subtraction process is performed for each minute area unit of the fluorescent image. This is performed by subtracting the value of the fluorescence intensity of the reference lens from the fluorescence intensity of the lens.

Here, the reference lens fluorescent image b
Performs the same detection operation as the above-described operation of detecting the stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image a on a contact lens (reference lens) such as a contact lens at the time of lens manufacture or shipment before the stain is attached. Which is obtained in advance (fluorescent image), and is obtained for each of various standards such as the power (P), diameter (DIA), thickness, and radius of curvature (BC) of the base curve of the lens. Things. The plurality of pre-determined reference lens fluorescent images b are stored as data in a storage unit 30 including a magnetic disk such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, or a known storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or an IC card. Have been.

The data relating to the reference lens fluorescent image b for each standard stored in the storage unit 30 is transmitted to the standard input unit 32 connected to the analysis unit 20.
, The power (P) and diameter (DI) of the contact lens 12
A), the thickness, the radius of curvature (BC) of the base curve, etc. can be taken out by appropriately inputting various standards. That is, by simply inputting the standard of the contact lens 12 to be inspected by the standard input unit 32, the fluorescent image b of the reference lens having the standard information that matches the input standard information is obtained by the analyzing unit 20.
Can be extracted from the storage means 30 via the above-described reference lens fluorescent image acquisition section 24 provided in the camera. As the standard input unit 32, various conventionally known input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse can be appropriately used.

As described above, the reference lens fluorescent image b extracted from the storage means 30 is subtracted from the dirty lens fluorescent image a as a background caused by a cause other than the measurement object (dirt). . Then, after the reference lens fluorescent image b is subtracted, the corrected dirt target lens fluorescent image a is subjected to a predetermined color imaging as a dirt-adhered lens image c by a color image conversion unit, and then output means. It is output at 28.

In the illustrated structure, the contact lens 1 is placed in an appropriate measuring medium 36, for example, an aqueous medium, housed in a petri dish 34 having a shallow, low-profile cylindrical shape.
2 is immersed to perform the measurement, in which an alignment member 38 as a lens centering mechanism for keeping the arrangement position of the contact lens 12 to be measured always constant is installed. Have been. The centering member 38 has a cylindrical shape, and has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the contact lens 12. Then, such a centering member 30 is concentrically arranged in the petri dish 34, and further, in the inner hole thereof,
By arranging the contact lens 12, always,
That is, the lens center can be made to coincide with the detection center of the detection means 16. Therefore, every time the lens contamination is inspected, the excitation light can be uniformly applied to the entire contact lens 12 under the same conditions. In addition, since it is not necessary to align two fluorescent images to be compared using a conventionally known image processing apparatus, the above-described subtraction processing can be easily and reliably realized. is there. In addition, as such a centering member 38, ones corresponding to various diameters of the contact lens 12 are prepared and used.

As described above, in the ophthalmic lens dirt detecting apparatus according to the above example, the predetermined excitation light is evenly applied to the entire subject lens, and the excitation light is generated from the lens dirt. From where the fluorescence is detected as a fluorescence image that spatially indicates the lens attachment site,
The location and extent of the contamination can be easily detected in a non-contact manner. In addition, in this detection step, since a stained lens is directly inspected, no dyeing reagent or the like which remains on the lens surface or inner surface and may adversely affect the lens is used. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the advantage that the ophthalmic lens can be reused after the dirt inspection.

Further, since the reference lens fluorescent image is compared (subtracted) from the stain-compatible lens fluorescent image, a stain-adhered lens image indicating a lens-adhered state is obtained.
The detection of fluorescence as fluorescence caused by something other than dirt, so-called background, as dirt can be advantageously prevented, thereby enabling more accurate dirt detection.

Further, in this embodiment, since the reference lens fluorescent images of various standards are obtained in advance and are stored in the storage means as data, the same as the subject lens is obtained every time the dirt inspection is performed. There is no need to perform any operation to detect the fluorescent image of the reference lens having the standard.
Detection of dirt on the ophthalmic lens in one inspection can be realized more quickly and easily.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the obtained dirt-adhered lens image can be analyzed in multi-tone colors, the position and amount of lens-dirt adhesion are It also has features that can be more easily recognized.

The apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to only the above-described structure, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Another example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiments, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In other words, FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a function for quantifying the contamination of the ophthalmic lens is further incorporated into the embodiment described in detail above. Explanatory diagram functionally showing the detection device, partly omitted,
Shown schematically. There, the detecting means 16
Is to receive (sense) the fluorescence generated from the ophthalmic lens and detect it as a fluorescent image, similarly to the detection means 16 described above, but in the present embodiment, only the fluorescent light generated from the ophthalmic lens is used. Instead, it is also used to detect fluorescence generated from various standard solutions used in quantifying soil. Here, in detecting the fluorescence generated from such a reference solution, no special operation is required, and a known concentration (dissolution amount) and a known amount (volume) of the reference solution put in a predetermined container are used. On the other hand, a detection operation similar to that of the above-described ophthalmic lens may be performed.

The fluorescence image d of the reference solution detected by the detecting means 16 is sent to a calibration curve creating section 34 provided in the analyzing means 20, and the calibration curve creating section 34 performs a predetermined calculation. After processing, the amount of fluorescence (x-axis parameter)
vs. dissolved amount of reference substance dissolved in reference solution (y
A calibration curve: y = f (x) for the axis parameter) is created.

More specifically, the fluorescence image d received by the calibration curve creating unit 34 is formed by detecting fluorescence in pixel units, in other words, in minute area units. Such fluorescence intensity per pixel shows the same value over the entire detection area of the reference solution (that is, the number of pixels corresponding to the opening area of the container containing the reference solution). In addition, the fluorescence intensity per pixel of such a reference solution varies depending not only on the amount of the reference substance dissolved and the amount (volume) of the solution, but also on the opening area of the container in which the reference solution is placed. To the solvent of
When the same amount of the reference substance is dissolved, if the opening area is reduced by half, the fluorescence intensity per pixel becomes 2
Double. Therefore, in the calibration curve creating section 34 of the present embodiment, since the diameter (detection area) of the ophthalmic lens differs depending on the standard, the amount of dirt adhering to any of the ophthalmic lenses can be determined. Then, as one of the parameters of the calibration curve, the value obtained by multiplying the fluorescence intensity per pixel of the fluorescence image d of the reference solution by the detection area is represented by the fluorescence amount (x: fluorescence intensity × detection area). ). Then, the fluorescence amount (x) of the reference solution of various dissolved amounts obtained in this manner
With respect to the amount of dissolution (y) proportional thereto,
It is plotted so that a desired calibration curve can be created. However, since the amount of fluorescence (x) is also proportional to the volume (volume) of the solution, the volume (volume) of the reference solution needs to be always constant according to the dirt component, and the reference solution is added. It is desirable that the opening area of the container also has a size that can be detected by the detection means 16.

The data of the reference solution required for the arithmetic processing in the calibration curve creating section 34 as described above, for example,
As shown in FIG. 2, the detection area and the dissolved amount of the reference substance are as follows.
An input means similar to the standard input means 32 and a quantitative data input means 36 can be inputted. The above-mentioned reference solution is a solution obtained by uniformly dissolving a predetermined amount of an artificial stain component (reference substance) in a predetermined solvent. For example, for the determination of protein stain, a predetermined amount of albumin is purified. For quantitative determination of lipid stains with a solution or the like dissolved in water, a solution or the like obtained by dissolving a predetermined amount of olive oil in ethanol can be exemplified.

The calibration curve prepared in advance as described above is used for quantifying the amount of the stain component attached to the ophthalmic lens. By comparing the integrated value obtained by integrating the fluorescence intensities with the calibration curve, the quantification of the stain component adhering per predetermined area is realized, so that the obtained value can be understood by the operator. -ing

More specifically, the dirt-adhered lens image c obtained by the subtraction means 22 is sent to the color image conversion section 26, and is also sent to the integration means 38, where the integration processing is performed. For example, when quantifying a dirt component attached to the entire surface of the ophthalmic lens, the fluorescence intensity in pixel (micro area) units is equal to the number of pixels corresponding to the area of the ophthalmic lens. Is added, the accumulation process is performed. Note that the method of the integration process is not limited to the above-described method. For example, a conventionally known image processing operation is performed by the integration unit 38, and the integration process is performed within an area corresponding to the area of the ophthalmic lens. First, the number of pixels (area) of the portion having the same fluorescence intensity is obtained for each of the same fluorescence intensity, and then the obtained number of pixels (area) and the corresponding fluorescence intensity are calculated. The multiplication process may be performed by multiplying each of them and further adding all of the multiplied values thus obtained. Further, the integration processing as described above can be performed not only for the entire ophthalmic lens but also partially for a desired region of the ophthalmic lens. It goes without saying that partial quantification of the dirt component attached to the ophthalmic lens can be advantageously achieved by the integration processing in the region.

Then, the integrated value obtained as described above is compared with the calibration curve [y = f (x)] created by the calibration curve creating section 34 in the quantitative section 40, and the amount of dirt is determined. Quantitation is to be performed. That is, the integrated value is substituted into the fluorescence amount (x) of the calibration curve [y = f (x)] to calculate the dissolution amount (y). The amount of the dirt component adhering to the region range is set as the amount of the dirt component and is output to the output means 28.

[0059]

Hereinafter, typical examples of the present invention will be described to clarify the present invention more specifically. However, the present invention imposes no restrictions on the description of such examples. It goes without saying that you don't receive anything. In addition, the present invention, in addition to the following examples, in addition to the above specific description, various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, unless departing from the spirit of the present invention,
It should be understood that modifications, improvements and the like can be made.

-Measurement of protein stain- First, using a measuring device having the following configuration, a single new low water content soft contact lens (BC: 8.40;
P: -3.00, DIA: 13.5) A lens fluorescence image of (12) was detected. Equipment: ORCA AQUACOSMOS package manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics Co. Imaging equipment: Digital CCD camera (C-4742-95-12NR) F-mount lens (f = 55mm, F2.8S) Analysis equipment: Data analysis equipment (C7746-43E) Analysis software : AQUACOSMOS basic software (U7501) ・ Light source: Mercury-xenon lamp 200W ・ Optical filter: <light source side> 280UV excitation filter <detection side> 330-385 absorption filter

That is, the control lens (1)
2), a petri dish 34 containing a predetermined amount of distilled water 36
The inside was immersed so that the base curve surface on which dirt easily adhered became the upper surface, and was placed in the centering member 38. Then, the petri dish 34 in which such a new lens (12) was immersed and arranged was mounted on the stage of the detecting means 16 configured by combining an F-mount lens and a digital CCD camera. At this time, the new lens (12) is positioned by the centering member 38 so that the center thereof always coincides with the detection center of the detection means 16.

Next, a predetermined excitation light was applied to the new lens set as above from obliquely above the lens, and the resulting fluorescence was detected from above the lens. In this irradiation step, 20 light sources were used.
A 0 W mercury-xenon lamp was used, and as the optical filter 14, a 280 UV excitation filter (spectral transmittance around 280 nm: 25% or more) capable of transmitting light having a wavelength around 280 nm was used. And, as the optical filter 18, a 330 to 385 transmission filter (330) capable of transmitting light having a wavelength around 330 nm to 385 nm is transmitted.
Cut filter other than ~ 385nm, 340 ~ 360nm
Spectral transmittance in the vicinity: 60% or more).

Then, a fluorescent image (reference lens fluorescent image) for detecting protein stain obtained by detecting the expected fluorescence of the new lens is stored in a hard disk (30) in a computer in accordance with standard information [low water content]. Soft contact lens (BC: 8.40, P: -3.00, DIA: 1)
3.5)], together with the analysis software, the image was stored in advance and output as a black-and-white image, and an image as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, using one sample lens (12) to which dirt was adhered obtained by wearing the same low water content soft contact lens for one week with human eyes,
Inspection is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned new lens to obtain a fluorescent image (a fluorescent image corresponding to a stain-resistant lens), while the sample lens (1
The standard information of 2) was inputted by the keyboard (32), and the previously stored reference lens fluorescent image corresponding to the sample lens (12) was called out from the hard disk (30). FIG. 3B shows a fluorescence image of the sample lens with respect to protein stain (a stain-corresponding lens fluorescence image) output in the same manner as the above-described reference lens fluorescence image [FIG. 3A]. is there.

Then, by performing a subtraction process of subtracting the reference lens fluorescent image from the sample lens fluorescent image thus obtained, the obtained dirt-adhered lens image is compared with the reference lens fluorescent image [FIG. 3 (a)]. By outputting in the same manner, a stain-adhered lens image of the protein stain as shown in FIG. 3 (c) was obtained.

-Measurement of lipid stain- Using a stain detector similar to the above-described protein stain measurement, one new highly water-containing soft contact lens (BC:
8.50, P: -3.75, DIA: 14.0) (1
The lens of 2) was inspected in the same manner as in the above-described protein stain measurement, and the fluorescent image was detected. However, as the optical filter 14, a 330-380 UV excitation filter (spectral transmittance near 340-390 nm: 60% or more)
The optical filter 18 includes a skylight filter (a cut filter of 390 nm or less, a spectral transmittance of 400 nm or more: 80% or more) and a 400 absorption filter (400
A filter formed by combining a cut filter having a size of not more than nm and a spectral transmittance of not less than 420 nm: not less than 80%) was employed.

The obtained image (reference lens fluorescent image)
Was stored in advance in the hard disk (30) in the computer together with the standard information, and was output as a black-and-white image, and an image as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the same highly hydrous soft contact lens was worn for 6 months by wearing it on the human eye, and a single stained sample lens (12) was used. Inspection is performed in the same manner as the lens to obtain a fluorescent image (dirt-compatible lens fluorescent image), and standard information of the sample lens (12) is input through the keyboard (32) to correspond to the sample lens (12). The reference lens fluorescence image previously stored was called from the hard disk (30). In addition, FIG.
FIG. 4 (c) shows the output of a fluorescent image of lipid stain on the sample lens, and FIG. 4 (c) shows a subtraction process of subtracting the reference lens fluorescent image from the sample lens fluorescent image thus obtained. Thus, the obtained dirt-adhered lens image is output.

As is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4,
Even a contact lens in which proteins and lipids and the like are present together can be separately and selectively detected.

Although the typical specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, they are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited by the above description. Needless to say.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the obtained dirt-adhered lens image is analyzed by the color image conversion unit 26 into multi-tone colors according to the intensity, and is output as a color image. Although such a color image conversion unit 26 is provided according to the purpose, it is not indispensable in the present invention. Even if it is made to be output, there is no problem.

In the above embodiment, the fluorescent image of the reference lens is actually measured and obtained in advance according to the same detection procedure for various new lenses that are not contaminated. The fluorescence image of the reference lens corresponding to the target lens can be obtained simply by inputting the required standard. It is also possible to ask for. Furthermore, it is possible not only to obtain a reference lens fluorescent image corresponding to each contact lens by actual measurement, but also to theoretically analyze a fluorescent image appearing in a new lens and obtain a theoretical image.

In addition, the standard input means 32 and the storage means 3
0, the reference lens fluorescence image acquisition unit 24 is appropriately provided according to the purpose, and is not essential in the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the light source and the lens 1
2 and between the lens 12 and the detecting means 16, optical filters 14 and 18, such as a band-pass filter and a cut filter, are used. According to (16), the fluorescent image is used so that the target fluorescent image can be advantageously detected, and is not necessarily required.

Although such an optical filter is provided outside the irradiating means 10 as shown in FIG. 1, any optical filter may be provided if provided between the light source and the ophthalmic lens. It is also possible to employ a structure in which it is installed inside the irradiation means 10. Also, if the light source is capable of mainly irradiating light in a desired wavelength region, such an optical filter is not necessarily required to be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the lens centering mechanism (3) for matching the center position of the lens is used.
8) is provided, but when inspecting an astigmatic contact lens or the like in which the curvature of the subject lens is not designed concentrically, in addition to the lens centering mechanism, the circumferential direction of the lens is It is desirable to employ a conventionally known lens positioning device capable of performing positioning.

The lens centering mechanism (38) is not essential in the present invention.
Before performing the subtraction process, the center of the stained lens and the fluorescent image of the reference lens may be adjusted by using a conventionally known image processing means.

In the above embodiment, the method for detecting protein stains and lipid stains has been exemplified as a method for detecting stains on an ophthalmic lens. However, the present invention is not limited to these stains. The present invention can be applied to any lens stain as long as it emits fluorescence by irradiating a predetermined light.

[0079]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the method and the apparatus for detecting dirt on a lens according to the present invention, a predetermined dirt is excited on an ophthalmic lens such as a contact lens to which dirt adheres. By irradiating the obtained excitation light and detecting the fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the excitation light over the entire ophthalmic lens, the imaged lens image is detected. Thus, it is possible to visualize the adhesion site and the degree of adhesion of stains such as proteins and lipids attached to the ophthalmic lens and easily know the adhesion site. In addition, for the ophthalmic lens to which the dirt is attached, since no substances such as staining reagents that remain on the ophthalmic lens surface or inner surface and that may adversely affect the ophthalmic lens are used, It is also possible to reuse the ophthalmic lens after the dirt inspection.

Further, according to the lens contamination detecting method and detecting device according to the present invention, the whole or partial contamination of the ophthalmic lens adhered to the ophthalmic lens using the detected image obtained as described above. Can be easily quantified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram, including a block diagram, schematically illustrating an example of a dirt detection device for an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing another example of the dirt detection device for an ophthalmic lens according to the present invention.

3A and 3B are lens images obtained for detecting protein stains in the embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A is a reference lens fluorescent image, FIG. 3B is a stain corresponding lens fluorescent image, and FIG. It is an image.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are lens images obtained for detecting lipid stains in the embodiment, where FIG. 4A is a fluorescent image of a reference lens, FIG. 4B is a fluorescent image of a lens corresponding to a stain, and FIG. It is an image.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Irradiation means 12 Contact lens 14 Optical filter 16 Detection means 18 Optical filter 20 Analysis means 22 Subtraction means 24 Reference lens fluorescence image acquisition part 26 Color image conversion part 28 Output means 30 Storage means 32 Standard input means 34 Calibration curve preparation part 36 Quantification Data input means 38 integration means 40 quantitative section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G043 AA03 BA15 BA16 CA05 EA01 FA07 HA01 JA02 KA02 KA03 KA05 KA09 LA03 MA01 MA06 NA01 NA06 NA11

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A step of irradiating a stained ophthalmic lens with an excitation light capable of exciting the stain to generate fluorescence, and irradiating the stained ophthalmic lens with the excitation light. Detecting a stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image formed by fluorescent light mainly generated from, and detecting the stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image and irradiating the excitation light to the ophthalmic lens before the stain is obtained in advance. Obtaining a dirt-adhered lens image indicating a dirt-adhered state on the ophthalmic lens by comparing the formed fluorescent image with the reference lens fluorescent image. 2. The method for detecting dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the reference lens fluorescent image is obtained from the ophthalmic lens before the dirt adheres in the same manner as the dirt-compatible lens fluorescent image. 3. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image is performed by imaging the ophthalmic lens irradiated with the excitation light with a CCD camera. Dirt detection method. 4. The detection of dirt on an ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the dirt-adhered lens image is obtained by subtracting the reference lens fluorescent image from the dirt-corresponding lens fluorescent image. Method. 5. When detecting protein stain adhering to the ophthalmic lens, the excitation light has a wavelength of 275 to 295 nm.
While the fluorescence is 340 to 3
The method for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection is performed at a wavelength of 60 nm. 6. The method according to claim 6, wherein when detecting a lipid stain adhering to the ophthalmic lens, light having a wavelength of 340 to 390 nm is used as the excitation light while the fluorescence is 430 to 47 nm.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light is detected at a wavelength of 0 nm.
The method for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to any one of the above. 7. In the detection of protein stains attached to the ophthalmic lens, 280 irradiating the ophthalmic lens is performed.
6. The method for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of nm is 0.75 μW / cm ² or more. 8. In the detection of lipid stain adhering to the ophthalmic lens, 340 to irradiate the ophthalmic lens.
The intensity of the excitation light having a wavelength of 390 nm is 0.75 μW / c.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the distance is at least m ^2.
The method for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 6. 9. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens is quantified in a predetermined area of the ophthalmic lens by integrating a fluorescence intensity of each pixel obtained from the dirt-adhered lens image. A method for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 8. 10. A method for quantifying the amount of dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens, using a cumulative value obtained by integrating the fluorescent intensity in the pixel unit, using a fluorescence intensity of a reference solution having a known concentration in which the dirt component is dissolved. 10. The method for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 9, wherein the method is performed by comparing a product of the product of the reference solution and the detection area with a calibration curve obtained in advance from the amount of dissolution of the contamination component in the reference solution. 11. For an ophthalmic lens to which dirt has adhered,
Irradiation means for irradiating excitation light capable of exciting the dirt to generate fluorescence, and a dirt-corresponding lens fluorescent image formed by fluorescent light mainly generated from dirt attached to the ophthalmic lens by irradiation of the excitation light. Detecting means for detecting, comparing the detected stain-corresponding lens fluorescent image with a previously determined reference lens fluorescent image formed by irradiating the excitation light to the ophthalmic lens before the stain is attached, Analyzing means for performing an analysis so as to obtain a stain-adhered lens image indicating a stain-adhered state of the ophthalmic lens; and output means for outputting the stain-adhered lens image obtained by the analyzing means. Ocular lens dirt detector. 12. The image pickup means, wherein the detection means picks up an image of the ophthalmic lens irradiated with the excitation light, and detects as a lens image locally indicating the magnitude of the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the degree of adhesion of the dirt. An apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 11. 13. The power, diameter and thickness of the ophthalmic lens,
Standard input means for inputting a standard such as a radius of curvature of a base curve, and storage means for storing the reference lens fluorescent image in an ophthalmic lens of various standards are further provided, and are input by the standard input means. 11. The reference lens fluorescent image of the ophthalmic lens is extracted from the storage unit based on the standard information obtained, and the analysis unit compares the detected fluorescent image with the detected stain corresponding lens fluorescent image. 12. 13. The dirt detection device for an ophthalmic lens according to claim 12. 14. An ophthalmic lens stain according to claim 11, wherein said analyzing means includes subtraction means for subtracting said reference lens fluorescence image from said stain correspondence lens fluorescence image. Detection device. 15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said analyzing means analyzes the lens stain into multi-tone colors and outputs said stain-attached lens image to said output means in multi-tone colors. An apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 16. An optical filter that transmits a wavelength of excitation light and / or fluorescence corresponding to a type of dirt of the ophthalmic lens according to a type of dirt of the ophthalmic lens, and a light source of the excitation light and the ophthalmic lens. The dirt detection device for an ophthalmic lens according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the dirt detecting device is provided between the ophthalmic lens and the detection means. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the detecting means is 340 to 600 nm.
17. The apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 11, wherein the device has a quantum efficiency of 30% or more in the light receiving frequency band. 18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said analyzing means further comprises integrating means for integrating the fluorescence intensity in pixel units obtained from the stained lens image.
The dirt detection device for an ophthalmic lens according to any one of the above. 19. A calibration curve indicating a relationship between a product of a fluorescence intensity of a reference solution having a known concentration in which a dirt component is dissolved and a detection area thereof and a dissolution amount of the dirt component in the reference solution. And a quantification unit for quantifying lens contamination by comparing the integrated value obtained by the integration means with the calibration curve obtained by the calibration curve creation unit. 19. The apparatus for detecting contamination of an ophthalmic lens according to claim 18, wherein: