JP2015066242A - Ophthalmology imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ophthalmology imaging apparatus for enabling an examiner to suitably observe an eyeground.SOLUTION: An ophthalmology imaging apparatus 1 includes: an imaging optical system 2 comprising a light projecting optical system 3 for projecting light on each position on an eyeground Er of a subject eye E and a light receiving optical system 4 for receiving, with its light receiving element 25, light emitted from each position on the eyeground Er in accordance with the light from the light projecting optical system 3; and a control unit 90 for executing first display control processing (S12) which generates an eyeground image on the basis of a light receiving signal from the light receiving element 25 and makes a monitor 70 display a first live image composed of a plurality of continuous eyeground images and second display control processing (S17) which generates a partial image obtained by extracting part of an eyeground image and makes the monitor 70 display a second live image composed of a plurality of continuous partial images with the first live image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus for photographing the fundus of a subject's eye.

  An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus for photographing a fundus image of an eye to be examined is known. Some devices of this type can display a live image composed of a plurality of continuous fundus images (see Patent Document 1). The examiner can observe the live image and grasp the state of the fundus.

JP 2008-228781 A

However, when a fundus image is displayed as a live image, a characteristic part such as a lesion part existing in a part of the fundus may not be noticeable, and it may be difficult for the examiner to perform detailed observation on the characteristic part.

  On the other hand, if a part of the fundus image is displayed as the live image, it is easy for the examiner to observe the characteristic part existing in the part. However, the entire fundus image cannot be confirmed from a live image in which only a part of the fundus image is displayed. As a result, for example, the examiner may miss a lesion or the like existing in the fundus image capturing range.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus that allows an examiner to satisfactorily observe the fundus in view of the above-described problems of the prior art.

The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention emits light from each position of the fundus according to light from the light projecting optical system that projects light to each position of the fundus of the eye to be examined. receiving optical system for receiving light from the fundus by a light receiving element, an imaging optical system having to generate fundus image based on a light receiving signal from the light receiving element, the first live image composed of a plurality of fundus images continuously First display control means for displaying on the display device, a partial image from which a part of the fundus image is extracted are generated, and a second live image consisting of a plurality of continuous partial images is displayed on the display device. Second display control means for displaying the image together with the image.

  Further, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a light projecting optical system that projects light to each position of the fundus of the eye to be examined, and each position of the fundus that accompanies light from the light projecting optical system. An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus including a photographing optical system having a light receiving optical system that receives light emitted from the fundus with a light receiving element, and is included in the fundus image together with a fundus image photographed using the photographing optical system Display control means for displaying a partial image in which a range of interest is captured on the display device and displaying at least one of the fundus image and the partial image as a live image.

  According to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus of the present invention, there is an effect that the examiner can observe the fundus satisfactorily.

It is a schematic block diagram of the optical system which the ophthalmologic imaging device of this embodiment has. (A) is the schematic diagram which showed the objective-lens optical system in narrow-angle imaging | photography mode, (b) is the schematic diagram which showed the objective-lens optical system in wide-angle imaging | photography mode. It is the figure which showed the rotating plate seen from the arrow A direction of FIG. It is the graph which showed the filtering characteristic of the filter which a rotating plate has. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the ophthalmologic imaging device. It is the flowchart which showed the imaging | photography display process performed by CPU. It is the schematic diagram which showed an example of the display mode of a fundus image. It is the flowchart which showed the imaging | photography display process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the 1st display control process in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed an example of the display mode of the fundus image in the second embodiment. It is the figure which showed the modification of the optical system.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows an optical system of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 has a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) as a basic configuration. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 1 may be an apparatus integrated with other ophthalmic apparatuses such as an optical coherence tomography (OCT) and a perimeter.

  As an example, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 mainly includes a photographing optical system 2. In the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the rotation unit 30 is provided. First, the photographing optical system 2 will be described. The imaging optical system 2 projects light onto the fundus Er of the eye E, and receives light emitted from each position of the fundus Er with the projected light by the light receiving element 25. Although details will be described later, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 acquires (photographs) a fundus image based on the light reception result of the light receiving element 25. The photographing optical system 2 has a light projecting optical system 3 and a light receiving optical system 4. The imaging optical system 2 is moved in the left-right direction (arrow X direction), the vertical direction (arrow Y direction), and the front-back direction (arrow Z direction) of the eye E by a drive mechanism 50 (see FIG. 5) described later. Moved.

  The light projecting optical system 3 projects light (illumination light or excitation light) to each position in the imaging range on the fundus Er of the eye E. In the present embodiment, the light projecting optical system 3 includes a laser light emitting unit 11, a perforated mirror 12, a lens 13, a lens 14, a scanning unit 15, and an objective lens optical system 16.

  The laser beam emitting unit 11 is a light source of the photographing optical system 2. The laser beam emitting unit 11 may emit, for example, at least a laser beam having a first wavelength (near wavelength 790 nm) and a laser beam having a second wavelength (near wavelength 490 nm). Of course, the laser beam emitting unit 11 may emit only monochromatic light. In this embodiment, the laser beam emitting unit 11 can emit two types of laser beams at the same time, or can turn on only one of them.

  The laser light from the laser light emitting part 11 passes through the opening part of the perforated mirror 12 having an opening part in the center, passes through the lens 13 and the lens 14, and then goes to the scanning part 15. The light beam reflected by the scanning unit 15 passes through the objective lens optical system 16 and then converges on the fundus Er of the eye E to be examined. Light is emitted from the fundus Er as the laser beam is irradiated from the laser beam irradiation unit 11 to the fundus Er. For example, the laser light is scattered and reflected by the fundus Er. As a result, light scattered and reflected by the fundus Er (hereinafter referred to as fundus reflected light) is emitted from the pupil. Further, the laser light may excite a fluorescent substance present on the fundus Er. For this reason, the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance existing in the fundus Er may be emitted from the pupil.

  The scanning unit 15 is a unit that changes the traveling direction of the laser light guided from the laser light emitting unit 11 (deflects the laser light) in order to scan the laser light on the fundus. In the present embodiment, the scanning unit 15 includes an X galvanometer mirror 15a and a Y galvanometer mirror 15b.

  As the scanning unit 15, for example, an acousto-optic device (AOM) that changes a traveling (deflection) direction of light may be used in addition to a reflection mirror (galvano mirror, polygon mirror, resonant scanner).

  In the present embodiment, the X galvanometer mirror 15a deflects laser light projected on the fundus of the eye E to be examined in a predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the light passing through the X galvanometer mirror 15a travels to the Y galvanometer mirror 15b. In this embodiment, the X galvanometer mirror 15a is rotated by the motor 15c (see FIG. 5), so that the irradiation position (scan position) of the laser light on the fundus Er moves in the horizontal direction (that is, the X direction).

  In this embodiment, the Y galvanometer mirror 15b further deflects the laser light that has passed through the X galvanometer mirror 15a in a direction different from that of the X galvanometer mirror 15a. As shown in FIG. 1, the light that has passed through the Y galvanometer mirror 15 b travels toward the objective lens optical system 16. In the present embodiment, the Y galvanometer mirror 15b is rotated by the motor 15d (see FIG. 5), so that the irradiation position of the laser light on the fundus Er moves in the vertical direction (that is, the Y direction). As described above, the scanning unit 15 of the present embodiment two-dimensionally laser light on the fundus Er by scanning the fundus Er in the X direction with the X galvanometer mirror 15a and scanning in the Y direction with the Y galvanometer mirror 15b. Scan.

  The objective lens optical system 16 is provided to allow the laser light that has passed through the scanning unit 15 to pass through the pupil position. In the present embodiment, the objective lens optical system 16 includes a first convex lens 16a, a second convex lens 16b, and a concave lens 16c. As shown in FIG. 1, the objective lens optical system 16 has these lenses arranged in series. The number of lenses of the objective lens optical system 16 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be an objective lens system including four or more lenses. Further, each of the lenses 16a to 16c may be an aspherical lens, a compound lens composed of a plurality of lenses, or the like as required for aberration correction.

  The first convex lens 16 a is disposed closest to the eye to be examined among the lenses of the objective lens optical system 16. The second convex lens 16b is disposed closer to the scanning unit 15 than the first convex lens 16a. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a plano-convex lens having a convex surface facing the scanning unit 15 is used for the first convex lens 16a, and a biconvex lens is used for the second convex lens 16b. However, these lens shapes are merely examples, and it is sufficient that each has a positive power.

  The concave lens 13c has a concave surface directed toward the scanning unit 15, and is disposed further on the scanning unit 15 side than the second convex lens 16b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plano-concave lens is used as the concave lens 13c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a biconcave lens, a concave meniscus lens, or the like may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the laser light that has passed through the objective lens optical system 16 is irradiated on the fundus Er through one point on the optical axis L3 of the objective lens optical system 16 (hereinafter referred to as a “turning point”). In the present embodiment, the position of the turning point is an optically conjugate position with the scanning unit 15 (for example, an intermediate point between the X galvanometer mirror 15a and the Y galvanometer mirror 15b) via the objective lens optical system 16. For this reason, the chief ray of the laser light that has passed through the objective lens optical system 16 is turned around the turning point in accordance with the operation of the scanning unit 15. As a result, the laser beam is scanned two-dimensionally on the fundus oculi Er. For this reason, in this apparatus, if the turning point and the pupil position of the eye E to be examined are matched, the vignetting at the pupil can be suppressed and the laser light can reach the fundus, and the fundus image can be captured well. It can be carried out.

  Further, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a lens moving mechanism (view angle switching mechanism) 17 that moves each lens of the objective lens optical system 16. The lens moving mechanism 17 can move each lens of the objective lens optical system 16 by an arbitrary moving amount. For convenience of explanation, in the present embodiment, the lens moving mechanism 17 is described as a single device, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the lens moving mechanism 17 may be a plurality of devices that each move one lens.

  In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the lenses in the objective lens optical system 16 is changed by the lens moving mechanism 17, so that the irradiation range of the laser light projected from the light projecting optical system 3, that is, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 ( Alternatively, the shooting angle of view in the shooting optical system 2) is changed. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can switch the photographing angle of view to at least two types of a first angle of view and a second angle of view that is wider than the first angle of view. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the lenses 16a to 16c when the shooting angle of view is the first angle of view is shown in FIG. 2A, and each lens 16a when the shooting angle of view is the second angle of view. The arrangement of 16c is shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the state of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 when the photographing angle of view is the first angle of view is referred to as a narrow angle photographing mode, and the state of the ophthalmic photographing apparatus 1 when the angle of view is the second angle of view is referred to as a wide angle photographing mode. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the present embodiment, control described later is performed so that the position of the turning point with respect to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 is maintained even when the laser light irradiation range is changed. Each lens of the objective lens optical system 16 is arranged by the unit 90. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the first convex lens 16a is displaced in one direction along the optical axis L3 of the objective lens optical system 16, and the arrangement of the second convex lens 16b is the first with a larger displacement than the first convex lens 16a. By being displaced in the same direction as the convex lens 16a, the shooting angle of view in the shooting optical system 2 is changed (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). In this embodiment, at this time, the arrangement of the concave lens 16c is displaced in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first and second convex lenses 16a and 16b are displaced.

  For example, in the present embodiment, when the shooting angle of view is widened (for example, when the shooting angle of view is switched from the first angle of view to the second angle of view), the first convex lens 16a is the optical axis L3 of the objective lens optical system 16. Along the eye E side (FIG. 2A → FIG. 2B). Furthermore, the second convex lens 16b is moved so that the lens interval between the first convex lens 16a and the second convex lens 16b becomes narrower with respect to the case of the first field angle. As a result, the position of the turning point of the objective lens optical system 16 is brought closer to the first convex lens 16a with respect to the case of the first angle of view. Thereby, the angle with respect to the optical axis L3 that can be taken when the laser light passing through the first convex lens 16a passes through the turning point can be made larger than that in the case of the first angle of view. For this reason, the rotation range of the laser beam can be widened and the shooting angle of view can be widened compared to the case of the first angle of view.

  In the present embodiment, the concave lens 16c is brought closer to the scanning unit 15 side when widening the shooting angle of view. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the first and second convex lenses 16a and 16b are moved closer to the eye E while the concave lens 16c is moved closer to the scanning unit 15 side, thereby changing the photographing field angle. The position of the turning point and the like are maintained before and after. In this embodiment, when the shooting field angle is narrowed (for example, when the shooting field angle is switched from the second field angle to the first field angle), each lens of the objective lens optical system 16 widens the shooting field angle. It is moved in the opposite direction (FIG. 2 (b) → FIG. 2 (a)). As a result, the position of the turning point of the objective lens optical system 16 moves away from the first convex lens 16a with respect to the second field angle. Thereby, the angle with the optical axis L3 which can be taken when the laser light passing through the first convex lens 16a passes through the turning point can be made smaller than that in the case of the second angle of view. For this reason, the swivel range of the laser beam can be narrowed with respect to the second field angle, and the photographing field angle can be narrowed. In addition, the specific position of each lens 16a-16c can be suitably calculated | required according to the power of each lens, the required imaging | photography angle of view, etc.

  In the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the position of the turning point of the laser light is maintained depending on whether the photographing field angle is the first field angle or the second field angle. For this reason, it is not always necessary to redo the positional relationship between the apparatus and the eye E so that the turning point is positioned near the pupil of the eye E when the shooting angle of view is changed. That is, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can photograph fundus images having different photographing angles while keeping the positional relationship between the eye E and the apparatus constant. Thus, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can favorably photograph fundus images having different photographing angles.

  In the above example, when the shooting angle of view is switched, the concave lens 16c is displaced together with the first and second convex lenses 16a and 16b, but at this time, the concave lens 16c does not necessarily have to be displaced. The first convex lens 16a is displaced in one direction along the optical axis L3 of the objective lens optical system 16, and the second convex lens 16b is displaced in the same direction as the first convex lens 16b by a larger displacement amount than the first convex lens 16a. Accordingly, the position of the turning point and the like can be maintained before and after the shooting angle of view is changed.

  In addition, the objective lens optical system 16 can be configured by two lenses instead of the three lenses (the first convex lens 16a, the second convex lens 16b, and the concave lens 16c). For example, the objective lens optical system 16 may be composed of the first convex lens 16a and the second convex lens 16b. In this example, by moving the first and second convex lenses 16a and 16b in the same manner as in the above embodiment, it is possible to change the shooting field angle in the shooting optical system 2 without changing the position of the turning point.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the photographing field angle in the photographing optical system 2 is switched by moving the positions of the lenses 16a to 16c by the lens moving mechanism 17 has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. . For example, in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1, a plurality of objective lens optical systems that set different photographing angles of view in the photographing optical system 2 and an image in which one of the plurality of optical systems is alternatively arranged on the optical path of the laser light. And a corner switching mechanism. However, the position of the lenses (lenses 16a to 16c in this embodiment) included in one optical system is different from that of a device that switches and arranges a plurality of objective lens systems and switches the shooting angle of view as in this embodiment. The device to be moved is easier to configure the device in a compact manner.

  Next, the light receiving optical system 4 will be described. The light receiving optical system 4 receives light from the fundus oculi Er associated with the laser light from the light projecting optical system 3 (that is, fundus reflected light during normal photographing and fluorescence generated in the fundus Er during fluorescent photographing). In the light receiving optical system 4 of the present embodiment, each member arranged from the perforated mirror 12 to the objective lens optical system 16 on the optical path L1 of the light projecting optical system 3 is shared with the light projecting optical system 3. . The light receiving optical system 4 of the present embodiment includes a lens 22, a pinhole plate 23, a lens 24, and a light receiving element 25.

  When laser light is irradiated on the fundus of the eye E, the light reflected or emitted from the fundus Er based on the laser light travels backward through the light projecting optical system 3 and is reflected by the perforated mirror 12. Guided to the lens 22. Note that the pupil position of the eye E and the opening of the perforated mirror 12 have an optically conjugate relationship. On the downstream side of the lens 22, the light from the fundus Er is focused at the pinhole of the pinhole plate 23 and received by the light receiving element 25 through the lens 24. In the present embodiment, an APD (avalanche photodiode) having sensitivity in the visible region and the infrared region is used as the light receiving element 25.

  The rotating plate unit 30 selects the wavelength of light received by the light receiving element 25. The rotating plate unit 30 includes a rotating plate 31, a pulse motor 32, and a sensor 33.

  The rotating plate 31 has a plurality of types of barrier filters for observing fluorescence generated in the fundus Er. The rotating plate 31 is placed so that the plate surface is orthogonal to the optical axis L2. Further, the optical axis L2 of the light receiving optical system 4 passes through a part of the rotating plate away from the rotating shaft. The rotating plate 31 is rotated by a pulse motor 32. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotary plate 31 is provided with a filter 31b, a filter 32c, and an opening 31d. The filter 31b, the filter 32c, and the opening 31d are all disposed on a locus through which the imaging region Lz of the light receiving optical system 4 passes when the rotating plate 31 is rotated. For this reason, any one of the filter 31b, the filter 32c, and the opening 31d is set in the imaging region Lz of the imaging region Lz of the light receiving optical system 4 as the rotating plate 31 rotates. Note that the type of filter to be set in the rotating plate 31 is adjusted based on the rotation angle detected by the sensor 33.

  The filter 31b is a barrier filter for infrared fluorescence photography. The filter 31b has the spectral characteristics shown in FIG. The filter 31b can be used for, for example, ICG (indocyanine-green-fundus-angiography) imaging, which is one of infrared fluorescence imaging. ICG imaging is fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green as a fluorescent fundus contrast medium. In the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, photographing is performed by irradiating the first light (near wavelength 790 nm) from the laser light emitting unit 11. ICG imaging is mainly used for observation of choroidal blood vessels.

  The filter 31c is a barrier filter for visible fluorescence photography. The filter 31c has the spectral characteristics shown in FIG. The filter 31c can be used for, for example, FAF (fundus-auto-fluorescence) imaging performed by irradiating the fundus with a laser beam having a second wavelength (visible laser beam). Note that the autofluorescence imaging exemplified here utilizes the principle that the lipofuscin of the retinal pigment epithelium exhibits autofluorescence (wavelength near 500 nm to wavelength 750 nm) when irradiated with the second light (wavelength near 490 nm). In addition, by providing a light source and a filter in accordance with the fluorescence characteristics of the fluorescent substance to be emitted, the fundus can be photographed by exciting the fluorescent substances other than those exemplified above.

  The opening 31d is placed on the imaging region Lz, for example, when aligning the eye E with the apparatus and during normal fundus observation. At this time, the opening 31 d transmits all the light from the fundus Er and guides it to the light receiving element 25. In the present embodiment, the size of the opening 31d is designed to substantially match the size of the imaging region Lz of the light receiving optical system 4.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. Main control of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 is performed by the control unit 90. The control unit 90 is a processing device having an electronic circuit that performs control processing of each unit of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 and calculation processing of measurement results.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 90 includes an HDD (hard disk) 95, an image processing IC 96, a laser beam emitting unit 11, galvano mirror driving motors 15c and 15d, a lens moving mechanism 17, a light receiving element 25, a pulse motor 32, and a driving mechanism. 50, the operation unit 60, the monitor 70, and the like.

  The control unit 90 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, and a RAM 93. The CPU 91 is a processing device for executing various processes related to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1. The ROM 92 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores a control program, fixed data, and the like. The RAM 93 is a rewritable volatile storage device. The RAM 93 stores, for example, temporary data used for photographing and measuring the eye E by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1.

  The HDD 95 is a rewritable nonvolatile storage device. The HDD 95 stores at least a program for causing the control unit 90 to execute a shooting display process described later. Further, the HDD 95 stores a fundus image (fundus photographed image) photographed by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1.

  The image processing IC 96 is a processing device that generates image data of a fundus image photographed using the photographing optical system 2 based on a light reception signal from the light receiving element 25. Here, when the fundus oculi Er is scanned two-dimensionally with laser light as the polygon mirror 16 and the galvanometer mirror 19 are driven, the light receiving element 25 emits fundus reflected light corresponding to the scanning position of the laser light on the fundus oculi Er. Receive light sequentially. As a result, the light reception signal from the light receiving element 25 is sequentially output to the image processing IC 96. In the image processing IC 96 of this embodiment, the received light reception signal is converted into image data and stored in a buffer (not shown). Therefore, when a light reception signal for one frame (one fundus image) is input to the image processing IC 96, the image data for one frame is stored in the buffer of the image processing IC 96.

  The operation unit 60 is provided with an input device such as a switch operated by an examiner. In the present embodiment, a joystick 60a, a shooting switch 60b, a shooting field angle switch 60c, and various switches such as a shooting mode switch 60d are prepared.

  The joystick 60a is an input device that is operated by the examiner to designate the imaging range of the fundus oculi Er. The control unit 90 drives the drive mechanism 50 according to the operation of the joystick 60a to move the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 with respect to the eye E. Note that the position adjustment of the photographing optical system 2 is not limited to the case where the control unit 90 is controlled by the drive control of the drive mechanism 50. For example, it may be configured to include a drive mechanism for the examiner to manually move the position of the photographing optical system 2 and adjust the position of the photographing optical system 2.

  The imaging switch 60b is a switch operated to capture (capture) a fundus image.

  The shooting field angle switch 60 c is a switch operated to switch the shooting field angle (shooting range) of the shooting optical system 2. In the present embodiment, the size of the shooting range is selected by the examiner from at least two types of ranges (first view angle and second view angle) through the shooting view angle changeover switch 60c. The control unit 90 arranges each lens included in the objective lens optical system 16 in accordance with an operation on the photographing field angle switch 60c. In the present embodiment, when the first angle of view is selected, the control unit 90 drives the lens moving mechanism 17 so that each lens of the objective lens optical system 16 is set in the arrangement shown in FIG. To do. On the other hand, when the second angle of view is selected, the control unit 90 drives the lens moving mechanism 17 so that the lenses of the objective lens optical system 16 are set in the arrangement shown in FIG. . Accordingly, in the present embodiment, each lens 16a to 16a of the objective lens optical system 16 is maintained so that the position of the turning point is maintained in the case where the shooting field angle is the first field angle and the second field angle. 16c is arranged.

  The mode changeover switch 60d is a switch for switching the photographing mode of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 executed by the control unit 90 among the manual photographing mode, the FAF photographing mode, and the IGC photographing mode. Although details will be described later, the manual mode is a mode for observing the fundus with infrared fundus reflected light. The FAF imaging mode is a mode for observing spontaneous fluorescence emitted from the fundus Er. The IGC imaging mode is a mode for observing fluorescence from a fluorescent contrast agent administered to the fundus Er. When the mode changeover switch 60d is operated, the wavelength of the light output from the laser light emitting unit 11 and the barrier filter set in the pass region of the optical axis are switched according to the newly set photographing mode.

  The monitor 70 is a display device having a display for displaying an image of the eye E to be examined taken by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 and various measurement results.

  Next, the operation of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, the examiner operates the mode changeover switch 60d to select the manual photographing mode. Accordingly, the control unit 90 drives the pulse motor 32 to adjust the rotation angle of the rotating plate 31 so that the opening 31d of the rotating plate 31 is positioned on the optical axis L2. In addition, when the manual photographing mode is selected, the control unit 90 sets the lighting state in which the laser light emitting unit 11 emits the first wavelength laser light (infrared light). Thereby, the examiner can perform the alignment of the photographing optical system 1 performed thereafter while viewing the image photographed by the fundus reflection light. The image captured by the fundus reflection light is easier to grasp the captured state than the image captured by the fluorescence, so that the position is easily adjusted by the examiner.

  Next, the examiner performs alignment of the photographing optical system 2 and photographs a photographed image using the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1. Although illustration is omitted, in this embodiment, the galvanometer mirrors 15a and 15b of the scanning unit 15 are continuously driven by the control unit 90 until at least the alignment process is performed and the captured image is captured. It shall be. That is, the fundus Er is continuously scanned by the laser beam according to a predetermined procedure.

  Next, the examiner observes a live image (fundus observation image) photographed using fundus reflected light, and causes the apparatus to acquire the photographed image. The operation of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 at this time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The live image here is displayed not only in the fundus image displayed simultaneously with the shooting timing (that is, in real time), but also after a slight lag (for example, several milliseconds or seconds) from the shooting timing. The fundus image is included.

  In the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, photographing and display of the fundus image is performed by photographing display processing. In the photographing display process, first, the processes of S11 and S12 are executed by the CPU 91. As a result, the fundus image captured by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 is displayed in the display area D of the monitor 70.

  In the process of S11, the CPU 91 acquires image data of a fundus image for one frame from the image processing IC 96 (S11). For example, in this embodiment, the image data is acquired by transferring the image data stored in the buffer of the image processing IC 96 to the RAM 93. This process is on standby until image data for one frame is accumulated in the buffer of the image processing IC 96.

  Next, the CPU 91 executes a first display control process (S12). In the first display control process (S12), the CPU 96 displays the fundus image for one frame newly acquired by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 in the first display area D1 (see FIG. 7). As will be described later, this processing is repeatedly executed until the photographing of the fundus photographed image is completed. As a result, live images (observation images) composed of continuous fundus images are sequentially displayed in the first display area D1 by the first display control process (S12). Therefore, the examiner can align the photographing optical system 2 so that a desired photographed image can be obtained by operating the joystick 60a while confirming the display content of the first display area D1. In the present embodiment, the movement process (drive control of the drive mechanism 50) of the photographing optical system 2 performed in accordance with the operation of the joystick 60a is a process performed in parallel with the photographing display process in the control unit 90. Alternatively, it may be a process (not shown) that is appropriately executed by the control unit 90 during the standby time when acquiring image data from the image processing IC 96.

  Note that there may be a case where the number of pixels of the fundus image (so-called number of image pixels) acquired by the processing of S11 is larger than the number of pixels of the first display region D1 on the monitor 70 (so-called number of device pixels). In this case, in the first display process (S12), for example, the CPU 91 may perform a process of compressing (reducing) the fundus image according to the number of pixels of the first display area D1.

  Next, the CPU 91 performs processing for displaying a part (partial image) of the fundus image displayed in the first display area D1 in an area different from the first display area D1 (S13 to S17).

  First, the CPU 91 determines whether or not an operation for setting the attention range C has been accepted (S13). The attention range C is a range in which image processing is performed in the fundus image displayed in the first display region D1 (or in the region of the fundus Er indicated by the fundus image). The operation for setting the attention range C may be performed by the examiner specifying a position on the fundus image where the attention range C is desired to be set using, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse. In the present embodiment, the setting of the attention range C includes not only providing the attention range C, but also moving the setting position of the attention range C or changing the vertical and horizontal sizes.

  In the present embodiment, it is determined that the setting operation for the attention range C is not accepted by the process of S13 until the setting operation for the attention range C is performed by the examiner for the first time (S13: No). In this case, the CPU 91 executes the process of S15 without setting the attention range C.

  On the other hand, in the process of S13, when it is determined that an operation for setting the attention range C has been received (S13: Yes), the CPU 91 sets the attention range C in the range designated by the examiner through the setting operation (S14). . For example, in the present embodiment, the CPU 91 stores position information indicating the position occupied by the attention range C with respect to the photographing range of the fundus image in the RAM 93. Next, the CPU 91 executes the process of S15.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the attention range C is described as being provided when there is an instruction from the examiner, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the attention range C may be set to a predetermined range of the fundus image by the CPU 91 regardless of an instruction from the examiner. In the present embodiment, not only whether or not the attention range C is provided, but also the position, size, and the like of the attention range C will be described as being set by the CPU 91 in accordance with an instruction from the examiner. It is not limited to this configuration. For example, the apparatus may be configured such that the attention range C is always set at a certain position (for example, the center region of the fundus image) with respect to the fundus image.

  In the process of S15, the CPU 91 determines whether or not the attention range C is provided (S15). As described above, the attention range C is already provided when the setting operation of the attention range C is performed at least once. In this case, the CPU 91 executes the process of S16 (S15: Yes).

  In the process of S16, the CPU 91 acquires image data of the partial image (S16). In the present embodiment, the image data of the partial image is generated and acquired by the CPU 91 extracting data indicating the range of interest from the image data indicating the entire fundus image. In the present embodiment, the CPU 91 can extract the image data of the partial image from the image data indicating the entire fundus image based on the position information of the attention range C acquired in advance in the process of S14.

  Next, the CPU 91 executes a second display control process (S17). In the second display control process (S17), the CPU 91 displays the partial image from which the image data has been acquired by the process of S16 in the second display area D2 (see FIG. 7). Similar to the first display control process (S12), this process is repeatedly executed until the photographing of the fundus photographed image is completed. Therefore, a second live image composed of continuous partial images is displayed in the second display area D2 by the second display control process (S17).

  In the present embodiment, the second live image is described as being displayed in synchronization with the first live image, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the display mode may be such that one of the first live image and the second live image is continuously displayed and the other is switched between display and non-display at intervals of several seconds. Further, the first live image and the second live image may be displayed alternately.

  Further, in the second display control process (S17) of the present embodiment, the CPU 91 displays a second live image enlarged from the attention range C on the first live image. For example, in the present embodiment, the second live image is displayed in the second display area D2 having the same size as the first display area D1 in which the fundus image is displayed (see FIG. 7). Thereby, the examiner can observe the attention range C more easily using the second live image.

  Further, as described above, the number of pixels of the fundus image (number of image pixels) acquired by the device is larger than the number of pixels (number of device pixels) of the first display region D1, and the fundus image acquired by the device. A case where the compressed image of the image is displayed as the first live image is conceivable. In such a case, in the second display control process (S17), the second live image may be displayed with a higher resolution than the first live image. Note that the resolution in the present embodiment has a correlation with the resolution of the fundus tissue in the image. In this case, the attention range C in the fundus image is displayed in more detail in the second display area D2 than in the first display area D1. Therefore, the examiner can perform detailed observation of the attention range C satisfactorily.

  Next, the CPU 91 executes a discrimination display process (S18). By executing the process of S18, when the second live image is displayed in the second display area D2, the distinction display between the attention range C and other areas is performed on the first live image. The discrimination display may be a display that helps the examiner discriminate between the attention range C and other regions. In the present embodiment, as an example of the discrimination display, the attention range C is surrounded by a line on the first display area D1 (on the first live image) (see FIG. 7). Other examples of the discrimination display include a mode in which the attention area C is darker or thinner than the surrounding area, or the attention area C is shaded.

  Next, the CPU 91 determines whether or not a photographing operation for a photographed image (in this embodiment, an operation of the photographing switch 60b) has been received (S19). If the photographing operation has not been accepted (S19: No), the CPU 91 repeatedly executes the processes from S11 to S19. On the other hand, when the photographing operation from the examiner is accepted by the process of S19 (S19: Yes), the photographing process of S20 is executed. Through the photographing process (S20), the CPU 91 acquires a fundus photographed image. For example, the CPU 91 may newly acquire a fundus image from the image processing IC 96 and store the acquired fundus image as a fundus photographic image in the HDD 95 or the like. Note that the fundus image acquired from the image processing IC may be a plurality of images, and an addition average image of a plurality of fundus images captured continuously may be used as a fundus image. In the present embodiment, after the shooting process (S20), the shooting display process ends.

  Here, it returns to the process of S15 and continues description. If the setting operation for the attention range C has never been performed, the CPU 91 determines in step S15 that the attention range C is not set. In this case, the CPU 91 skips the processes from S16 to S18 and performs the processes after S19. Therefore, the second live image is not displayed in the display area D until the setting operation for the attention range C is performed by the examiner.

  In the above description, a case where a captured image captured using fundus reflection light is acquired has been described. However, a captured image captured using fluorescence from the fundus can also be acquired. For example, the examiner switches the photographing mode change-over switch 60d when the photographing optical system 2 is aligned while viewing the observation images (first live image and second live image) photographed using fundus reflected light. To switch the shooting mode to a mode (FAF shooting mode, IGG shooting mode) for shooting using fluorescence from the fundus, and then operate the shooting switch 60b.

  As described above, according to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first live image including a plurality of continuous fundus images is displayed on the monitor 70 by the first display control process (S12) that is sequentially executed. The Thereby, for example, the checker's confirmation omission for a characteristic part (for example, a nipple, a macula, a lesioned part, a blood vessel, etc.) existing in the photographing range of the fundus image is suppressed. Further, according to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the setting operation of the attention range C for the fundus image is performed in advance by the examiner, the second display control process (S17) performs attention from the fundus image. A partial image extracted as a range is generated, and a second live image including a plurality of continuous partial images is also displayed on the monitor 70. As a result, the examiner can easily perform detailed observation of the characteristic part existing in a part of the fundus image displayed as the second live image (the attention range C in the present embodiment). Therefore, in the ophthalmologic apparatus 1, it is easy for the examiner to observe in detail the photographing range of the fundus image using the live image of the fundus image without omission.

  In addition, when the position of the eye E is deviated from the working distance of the apparatus (for example, when the position of the turning point of the laser light is deviated from the pupil position of the eye E), a part of the light from the apparatus May be blocked by the iris (vignetting). In this case, the outer edge of the fundus image may be affected by vignetting light. This may be impossible for the examiner to confirm when only the second live image consisting of a part of the fundus image is displayed. Therefore, if only the second live image is confirmed and a captured image of the entire fundus image is acquired, a fundus image in which it is difficult to observe the outer edge portion or the like may be obtained. On the other hand, in the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first live image composed of the fundus image is displayed together with the second live image, so whether or not the outer edge of the fundus image is affected by the vignetting light. The examiner can easily confirm. For this reason, the examiner can cause the apparatus to acquire a captured image while confirming the first and second live images and aligning the photographic optical system 2 so that a desired captured image can be obtained. . Therefore, the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can capture a good fundus image.

  Further, in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the attention range C of the fundus image from which the partial image is extracted is set based on an instruction from the examiner (S14). A range desired by the examiner in the fundus image can be displayed as the second live image. As a result, it is easier for the examiner to observe the fundus.

  In the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the second live image is displayed in the second display area D2, the attention range C and other areas are displayed on the first live image in the first display area D1. Is displayed (S18). Thereby, the examiner can easily understand the correspondence between the fundus image and the partial image.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the attention range C is set at a fixed position with respect to the display range (or imaging range) of the fundus image has been described. For example, in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the position of the attention range C on the first display region D1 does not change before and after the photographing range of the optical system on the fundus Er is changed by the alignment operation. . However, the attention range C may not be set at a fixed position with respect to the display range of the fundus image. For example, the attention range C may be set at a certain position of the fundus Er indicated by the fundus image. In this case, for example, when the imaging range on the fundus Er is moved by the fixation eye movement of the eye E, the attention range C on the first display area D1 tracks a certain position on the fundus Er. As an example, the following modification of the first embodiment will be described. In this modification, the CPU 91 may perform the attention area C setting process (S14) by acquiring a template image from a part of the fundus image. As the template image, an image extracted from a fundus image acquired in advance by the apparatus is used.

  In addition, the CPU 91 specifies an image region having a high correlation with the template image from the fundus image displayed in the first display region D1 at each timing. Thereby, the movement of the image area extracted as the second display area D2 is detected. The CPU 91 may correct a region extracted as a partial image from the fundus image according to the detection result, and perform the second display control process (S17) on the corrected region. Thereby, even if the imaging range in the fundus oculi Er is moved by fixation eye movement of the eye E, a certain part included in the template image is displayed in the second image region D2.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment displays a plurality of continuous live images in the first display area D1 of the monitor 70. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 displays a second live image that is a partial image of the fundus image displayed in the first display area D1 in the second display area D2 of the monitor 70.

  On the other hand, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment acquires a first fundus image and a second fundus image having different image resolutions, and monitors a composite image of the first fundus image and the second fundus image. 70 is displayed. In the present embodiment, the first fundus image is a fundus image captured with the shooting field angle of the shooting optical system 2 set to the second field angle (that is, in the wide-angle shooting mode), and the second fundus image is It is the partial image image | photographed regarding a part of 1st fundus image by setting the imaging field angle of the imaging optical system 2 to the first field angle (in the narrow-angle imaging mode). In the present embodiment, the second fundus image has a higher resolution because the shooting angle of view is narrower than that of the first fundus image. In the following description, the observation image and the captured image of the first fundus image are referred to as an observation image (wide) and the captured image (wide), respectively, and the observation image and the captured image of the second fundus image are respectively observed. It shall be described as an image (narrow) and a photographed image (narrow).

  The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment has the same optical system as that of the ophthalmic photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 is assumed to have approximately the same control system as the control system of the ophthalmic photographing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. However, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 is at least different from the ophthalmic photographing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in the control program that defines the processing executed when photographing the fundus image.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 at the time of photographing a fundus image will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the CPU 91 determines whether the shooting field angle (shooting magnification) of the shooting optical system 2 is the first field angle or a second field angle wider than the first field angle (S21). For example, in the present embodiment, the CPU 91 performs the determination based on a shooting angle of view (shooting magnification) that is set in advance according to the operation of the shooting angle of view switch 60c.

  When it is determined that the shooting angle of view is the second angle of view (S21: second angle of view), processing in the wide-angle shooting mode after S22 is executed. By the process of S22, the CPU 91 determines whether or not a photographing operation has been accepted (S22). When the CPU 91 determines that a shooting operation has been accepted (S22: Yes), the CPU 91 acquires image data for one frame from the image processing IC 96 (S23). Thereby, image data of a fundus image having a wide angle of view (second angle of view in the present embodiment) is acquired. This image data is displayed on the monitor 70 as a captured image (wide) by subsequent processing. In the present embodiment, the image data of the captured image (wide) acquired by the process of S23 is temporarily stored in the RAM 93 until a new captured image (wide) is captured. Note that the CPU 91 can also store the image data of the captured image acquired by the process of S23 in a nonvolatile storage device (for example, the HDD 95). After the process of S23, the CPU 91 executes a first display control process (S25).

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the CPU 91 that the photographing operation is not accepted (S21: No), image data for one frame is acquired from the image processing IC 96 (S24). This image data is displayed on the monitor 70 as an observation image (wide) by subsequent processing (S24). In the present embodiment, the image data of the observation image (wide) acquired by the process of S24 is temporarily stored in the RAM 93 until a new image of the observation image (wide) is taken. After the process of S23, the CPU 91 executes a first display control process (S25).

  In the wide-angle shooting mode, display control of the monitor 70 is performed by the first display control process (S25). In the first display control process (S25), the CPU 91 controls the display on the monitor 70 using the image data acquired in the process of S23 or S24 (S25). Here, the first display control process (S25) in the wide-angle shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the first display control process (S25), first, the CPU 91 determines whether or not to display a captured image (wide) (S31). In the present embodiment, if the captured image (wide) is acquired in advance by the process of S23, the CPU 91 determines that the captured image (wide) is displayed (S31: Yes). On the other hand, if the captured image (wide) is not acquired in advance, the CPU 91 determines that the captured image (wide) is not displayed (S31: No). If it is determined by the process of S31 that the captured image (wide) is not displayed (S31: No), the display process of the monitor 70 is performed using the image data of the observation image (wide) acquired by the process of S24 immediately before. Is done. That is, in this case, a live image composed of an observation image (wide) is displayed. Here, in the present embodiment, it is determined in advance whether or not a captured image (narrow) has been captured (acquired) in the narrow-angle capturing mode (S32).

  If the captured image (narrow) has not been acquired in advance (S32: No), the CPU 91 displays the observation image (wide) in the display area D of the monitor 70 (S33).

  On the other hand, if the captured image (narrow) is acquired in advance (S32: Yes), the CPU 91 performs alignment between the observed image (wide) and the captured image (narrow) (S34). In this embodiment, the alignment (matching process) between the first fundus image (observation image (wide) or captured image (wide)) and the second fundus image (observation image (narrow) or captured image (narrow)) is performed. For example, it can be performed using the correlation between both images (for example, pattern matching). Thereby, even if the positional relationship of the imaging range between the first fundus image and the second fundus image is not constant due to fixation fixation or the like, image processing of both images described later can be performed appropriately. On the other hand, when the second fundus image is included in a certain position of the first fundus image, the CPU 91, based on the information indicating the imaging range (that is, the attention range C) of the second fundus image in the first fundus image, Image alignment can also be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the first fundus image and the second fundus image are photographed with the same number of pixels, although the photographing angle of view is different from each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the first fundus image and the second fundus image are aligned, the CPU 91 adjusts the enlargement / reduction magnification of each of the first fundus image and the second fundus image. For example, in the present embodiment, the second fundus image is aligned with respect to the enlarged image of the first fundus image in which the range of interest C in the first fundus image matches the size of the second fundus image. Note that the enlargement / reduction magnification of each of the first fundus image and the second fundus image is, for example, the shooting field angle (or shooting magnification) of the first fundus image and the shooting field angle (or shooting magnification) of the second fundus image. ).

  After completion of the alignment process of S34, the CPU 91 executes a composite image display process (S35). In the composite image display process (S35), the CPU 91 causes the monitor 70 to display a composite image obtained by combining the first fundus image and the second fundus image that have been aligned in advance by image processing. In the present embodiment, the CPU 91 displays a composite image of the enlarged image of the first fundus image and the second fundus image used for positioning on the monitor 70. Various image processing techniques can be used as the image processing for combining the first fundus image and the second fundus image. For example, a method of synthesizing by adding the first fundus image and the second fundus image can be used. Further, it is possible to use a method of replacing the attention range C of the first fundus image with the second fundus image.

  Returning to the processing of S31, description will be made. In the present embodiment, even when it is determined to display the captured image (wide) (S31: Yes), it is determined whether the captured image (narrow) is acquired in advance (S36). If the captured image (narrow) is not acquired in advance (S36: No), the captured image (wide) stored in the RAM 93 is displayed on the display area D of the monitor 70 by the CPU 91 (S38). On the other hand, if the captured image (narrow) has been acquired in advance (S31: Yes), the CPU 91 aligns the captured image (wide) and the captured image (narrow) (S38), and the captured image (wide). And a composite image of the captured image (narrow) is displayed in the display area D (S35). As described above, in this embodiment, when a captured image (wide) is stored in the RAM 93 in advance, the captured image (wide) in the RAM 93 is used as the first image portion of the composite image. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the captured image of the first fundus image is acquired in advance using the imaging optical system 2, the captured image is continuously displayed in the first fundus image portion of the composite image. The

  Note that the composite image of the captured image (wide) and the captured image (narrow) is not only displayed on the monitor 70, but also displayed on the print medium by printing on the print medium using a printer or the like. Good.

  In the process of S26, the CPU 91 determines whether or not to end this process (S26). For example, when an instruction to end the process is received from the examiner, the process ends (S30: Yes). On the other hand, when it determines with not complete | finishing (S30: No), CPU91 repeats a process from S21.

  Returning to S21, the description will be continued. When it is determined that the shooting angle of view is the first angle of view (S21: first angle of view), the CPU 91 executes processing in the narrow angle shooting mode (S27 to S29, S40).

  First, the CPU 91 executes the processing of S27 to S29, and acquires the second fundus image (observation image (narrow) or captured image (narrow)). First, the CPU 91 determines whether a shooting operation has been accepted (S27). When the CPU 91 determines that a shooting operation has been accepted (S27: Yes), the CPU 91 acquires image data for one frame from the image processing IC 96 as image data of a shot image (narrow) (S28). The image data of the captured image (narrow) is temporarily stored in the RAM 93 until a new captured image (narrow) is captured. After the process of S28, the CPU 91 executes a second display control process (S40).

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the CPU 91 that the photographing operation is not accepted (S27: No), the image data for one frame is acquired from the image processing IC 96 as the image data of the photographed image (narrow) (S29). Thereby, image data of a fundus image having a narrow angle of view (first angle of view in the present embodiment) is acquired. The image data of the observation image (narrow) is temporarily stored in the RAM 93 until a new image of the observation image (narrow) is taken. After the process of S23, the CPU 91 executes a second display control process (S40).

  In the narrow-angle shooting mode, the display control of the monitor 70 is performed by the second display control process (S40). In the second display control process (S40), the display of the monitor 70 is controlled using the image data of the second fundus image acquired in the process of S28 or S29. In the second control process (S40) of the present embodiment, a process according to each process of the first display control process (S25) is performed. Specifically, in each step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, processing is performed in which the captured image (wide) and the captured image (narrow) are read with each other, and the observation image (wide) and the observation image (narrow) are read with each other. The second control process (S40) is executed. After executing the second control process (S40), returning to FIG. 8, the CPU 91 executes the process of S26.

  As described above, according to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, one of the first fundus image (fundus image) and the second fundus image (partial image) is acquired (captured) in advance. In this case, when the CPU 91 newly acquires (photographs) the other image, the CPU 91 displays a composite image of the first fundus image and the second fundus image in the display area D of the monitor 70. Here, the composite image is a composite image obtained by image processing of the second fundus image in the image area of the first fundus image corresponding to the second fundus image (in the present embodiment, the attention range C). Since the composite image has the same shooting angle of view as the first fundus image, the examiner can observe a wide range of the fundus through the composite image. Moreover, the second fundus image is taken at a higher resolution than the first fundus image. For this reason, the examiner can observe the fundus Er in detail through the region where the second fundus image is synthesized in the synthesized image. In addition, since the second fundus image is synthesized with the image area of the first fundus image corresponding to the second fundus image, this synthesized image is easily observed by the examiner. Therefore, according to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the state of the fundus oculi Er can be well understood by the examiner through the composite image displayed on the monitor 70.

  Further, according to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when a composite image is generated in the first display control process (S25) or the second display control process (S40), the first fundus image and the second fundus image. Is matched (matching). As a result, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 can obtain an appropriate composite image.

  Further, according to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the second fundus image is an enlarged image of the first fundus image in which the attention range C in the first fundus image matches the size of the second fundus image. It is synthesized by image processing. Thereby, each part of the fundus included in the imaging range of the fundus image can be displayed on the composite image without being hidden by the second fundus image. Therefore, the examiner can observe the characteristic part in the fundus without omission through the composite image.

  Further, according to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100, when an observation image of one image corresponding to the photographing field angle of the photographing optical system 2 is photographed among the first fundus image and the second fundus image, the other image is captured. If a captured image is acquired in advance, the captured image and a live image composed of one image are combined by the CPU 91 and displayed on the monitor 70. Thereby, the examiner can observe the first fundus image and the second fundus image almost in real time through the composite image.

  In the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, the first fundus image and the second fundus image forming the composite image have been described as being images captured using fluorescence from the fundus. For at least one of the first fundus image and the second fundus image, a fluorescence image captured using fluorescence from the fundus may be used.

  In the second embodiment, the case where two types of fundus images (first fundus image and second fundus image) having different angles of view are captured by switching the arrangement of the objective lens optical system 16 has been described. However, it is not limited to this. For example, two types of fundus images with different angles of view can be captured by adjusting the deflection angle of the scanning unit 15 (in the above embodiments, the galvano mirrors 15a and 15b) of the imaging optical system 2. At this time, for example, the scanning speed of the scanning member when capturing the second fundus image may be slower than when capturing the first fundus image. Accordingly, when the second fundus image is captured, the number of pixels acquired by scanning the fundus Er with the unit length is larger than that when the first fundus image is captured. The same effect as the embodiment can be obtained. In the second embodiment, switching of the shooting angle of view may be performed not by switching the lens arrangement of the objective lens optical system 16 but by attaching / detaching a wide-angle lens attachment that widens the shooting angle of view of the apparatus. .

  In the second embodiment, the case where the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 generates a composite image of the first fundus image and the second fundus image (partial image) has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a composite image may be generated also in a general-purpose computer (for example, a personal computer). For example, an analysis program for causing the computer processor to execute the processes of S34 and S35 of the imaging display process executed by the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment may be prepared on a hard disk of a computer. In this case as well, a composite image of the first fundus image and the second fundus image (partial image) can be generated as in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the common light receiving element 25 is used for capturing a fundus image using reflected light from the fundus Er and for capturing a fundus image using fluorescence generated in the fundus Er. Although the case where it uses is demonstrated, a different light receiving element 25 can also be used in each case. For example, the optical path of the light receiving optical system 4 can be branched using a half mirror or the like, a light receiving element is provided at the end of each optical path, and photographing can be performed simultaneously using each light receiving element. By arranging the light receiving elements having different light receiving characteristics for each light receiving element, it is possible to simultaneously perform photographing with a plurality of wavelengths.

  In the configuration of the above embodiment, a diopter correction unit capable of correcting a change in diopter may be provided between the scanning unit 15 and the laser beam emitting unit 11. As a specific example, the diopter correction unit 18 will be described with reference to FIG. The diopter correction unit 18 performs diopter correction by adjusting the optical path length of the photographing optical system 2 between the scanning unit 15 and the laser beam emitting unit 11. The diopter correction unit 18 may include, for example, two mirrors 18a and 18b and a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit moves the two mirrors 18a and 18b in the arrow s direction while maintaining the positional relationship between the two mirrors 18a and 18b. As a result, the optical path length of the light projecting optical system 3 (and the light receiving optical system 4) is changed. Moreover, diopter correction can also be performed by displacing at least one of the lens 13 and the lens 14 along the optical axis.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the control part 90 as what controls the position of each lens 16a-16c of the objective lens optical system 16, it is not limited to this. For example, the lens moving mechanism 17 is configured so that the arrangement of the lenses 16a to 16c is interlocked, so that the turning point of the laser beam may be maintained when the photographing field angle in the photographing optical system 2 is changed. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the photographing field angle in the photographing optical system 2 can be switched between two stages of the first field angle and the second field angle wider than the first field angle. However, the photographing field angle in the photographing optical system 2 may be switched to more stages than two stages, and may be switched continuously instead of stepwise.

  In the above embodiment, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 has been described as an SLO apparatus that two-dimensionally scans laser light on the fundus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fundus imaging apparatus 1 may be a so-called line scan SLO. In this case, a line-shaped laser beam is scanned one-dimensionally on the fundus based on the operation of the scanning unit 15. Further, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 1 may be a fundus camera.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 Ophthalmic imaging device 2 Imaging optical system 3 Light projection optical system 4 Light receiving optical system 25 Light receiving element 90 Control part

Claims (5)

A light projecting optical system that projects light to each position of the fundus of the eye to be examined, and a light receiving optical system that receives light from the fundus emitted from each position of the fundus with the light from the light projecting optical system. A photographing optical system having
First display control means for generating a fundus image based on a light reception signal from the light receiving element and displaying a first live image including a plurality of continuous fundus images on a display device;
Second display control means for generating a partial image in which a part of the fundus image is extracted and displaying a second live image including a plurality of continuous partial images together with the first live image on the display device; An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus comprising:   2. The ophthalmologic photographing according to claim 1, wherein the second display control unit displays the second live image in an enlarged manner from an area corresponding to a part of the fundus image in the first live image. apparatus.   3. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising extraction range setting means for setting a part of the fundus image extracted as the partial image based on an instruction from an examiner.   The first display control means performs discrimination display of an area corresponding to a part of the fundus image extracted as the partial image and another area on the first live image. 4. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to any one of 3. A light projecting optical system that projects light to each position of the fundus of the eye to be examined, and a light receiving optical system that receives light from the fundus emitted from each position of the fundus with the light from the light projecting optical system. An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus including a photographing optical system,
A partial image in which a range of interest included in the fundus image is captured is displayed on the display device together with a fundus image captured using the photographing optical system, and at least one of the fundus image and the partial image is displayed as a live image. An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus comprising a display control means for displaying as