JP5046814B2 - Ophthalmic apparatus and auto-alignment method using the ophthalmic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an optical system for performing an ophthalmic examination in an apparatus main body, and has an auto alignment function capable of automatically performing an alignment with a relative position relationship between the apparatus main body and an eye to be examined as a normal position. The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic apparatus and an auto-alignment method using the ophthalmologic apparatus.

Conventionally, as an ophthalmologic apparatus, a mode changeover switch for switching between auto alignment and manual alignment is provided. When auto alignment is selected by a switch operation by an examiner, auto alignment is started. When manual alignment is selected by a switch operation by the examiner, manual alignment is started. In addition, what shifts to manual alignment is known only when it is determined that auto-alignment is impossible when auto-alignment is selected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-224912

  However, in the conventional ophthalmologic apparatus, since the selection of the alignment mode is basically performed by the mode switch, one of the manual alignment mode and the auto alignment mode is selected during the ophthalmic examination. Or when switching from one mode selection state to the other mode selection state, forcing the examiner to perform troublesome switch operations, such as the need to perform switch operations or switch switching operations on the mode switch. was there.

  Furthermore, when selecting auto-alignment, the examiner visually determines that the subject and the examiner are in an inspectable state with respect to the main body of the apparatus and that the auto-alignment is possible. Then, based on the judgment of the examiner, this is done by performing a switch operation on the mode switch.

  As described above, when selecting the auto alignment mode, prior to switching to the auto alignment mode, the examiner is required to make an appropriate auto alignment start determination. There was a problem that unless it was an examiner, automatic alignment could not be started quickly.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problem, and does not impose annoying switch operation or menu setting on the examiner, and it is a burden on both the examiner and the subject by appropriate and quick start determination of auto alignment. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ophthalmic apparatus capable of reducing the above-described problem and effectively utilizing the auto-alignment function of the apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an optical system for performing an ophthalmic examination is provided in the apparatus main body, and alignment is automatically performed with the relative positional relationship between the apparatus main body and the eye to be examined in the three-dimensional direction as a normal position. In an ophthalmic device with an auto alignment function that can
A subject detection means for detecting that the head of the subject is supported by the cradle;
Operation unit contact detection means for detecting that the examiner is touching the operation unit;
The subject detection means detects that the head of the subject is supported by a cradle, and the operation portion contact detection means detects that the examiner is touching the operation portion. Alignment start environment condition determination means for determining time as an alignment start environment condition;
When the alignment start environment condition is satisfied, the auto-alignment start condition for starting the determination of the auto-alignment start condition as to whether or not the alignment target has been successfully detected while performing manual alignment for the operator to manually operate the operation unit . Judgment means,
When the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied, auto-alignment start notifying means for notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started,
It is provided with.

Therefore, in the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the alignment start environmental condition determination means detects that the subject's head is supported by the cradle and that the examiner is touching the operation unit. The detection time is determined as the alignment start environmental condition. Then, when the alignment start environment condition is satisfied, the auto alignment start condition determination means determines whether or not the alignment target is successfully detected while performing manual alignment in which the examiner manually operates the operation unit . Judgment of conditions is started. When the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied, the auto-alignment start notification unit notifies the examiner that auto-alignment can be started.
As described above, the determination of the alignment start environment condition and the auto alignment start condition is in accordance with an ophthalmic examination procedure performed by a skilled examiner based on visual determination. Is called. The judgment load of the examiner can be reduced by the automatic start judgment of the automatic alignment instead of the visual judgment. Moreover, the waiting time of the subject with the eyes open can be shortened by quick start determination of the automatic alignment, and the waiting burden on the subject can be reduced.
Furthermore, the trouble of determining the start of auto-alignment and the switching operation eliminates the fact that the auto-alignment function provided in the apparatus is not used, and the auto-alignment function of the apparatus can be used effectively.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on both the examiner and the subject by appropriately and quickly determining the start of auto-alignment without forcing the examiner to perform troublesome switch operations and menu settings. The alignment function can be used effectively.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for realizing an ophthalmologic apparatus and an autoalignment method using the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention will be described based on Example 1 shown in the drawings.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a non-contact tonometer (an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus) of Example 1, (a) shows a front view of the non-contact tonometer, and (b) shows a side view of the non-contact tonometer. The figure is shown.

  The non-contact tonometer S of Example 1 includes an apparatus base 2 having a cradle 1 that supports the head of a subject, and a gantry 3 that is provided on the upper part of the apparatus base 2 and can move in the front-rear and left-right directions. And an apparatus main body 4 that is provided on the top of the gantry 3 and is movable in the front-rear, left-right, up-down directions. Here, the front-rear direction of the non-contact tonometer S is the Z direction, the left-right direction is the X direction, and the up-down direction is the Y direction.

  The gantry 3 is provided with an operation knob 5 having a photographing button 5a, a monitor 6 using a liquid crystal display screen or the like, and various operation switch groups 7. The gantry 3 moves with respect to the apparatus base 2 when the examiner operates the operation knob 5, and accordingly, the apparatus main body 4 also moves in the front-rear and left-right directions. Further, a nozzle portion 8 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 4 so as to face the subject's eye.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an alignment driving mechanism in the non-contact tonometer of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an alignment driving mechanism in the non-contact tonometer of the first embodiment.

  The non-contact tonometer S of the first embodiment is provided with an alignment driving mechanism that moves the apparatus main body 4 in a three-dimensional direction in order to perform manual alignment or auto alignment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the alignment drive mechanism is composed of a vertical alignment drive mechanism, a left / right alignment drive mechanism, and a front / rear alignment drive mechanism.

  The vertical alignment drive mechanism includes a Y alignment motor 104 provided on the gantry 3 and a support column 105 held on the gantry 3 so as to be movable up and down. The Y alignment motor 104 and the support column 105 are coupled by a pinion and a rack (not shown). The column 105 is moved up and down by the Y alignment motor 104, and a table 106 is provided at the upper end of the column 105.

  The left and right alignment drive mechanism includes a support column 107 and an X alignment motor 108 provided on the table 106, a table 109 slidably held on the upper end of the support column 107, and a rack provided at one end of the table 109. 110 and a pinion 111 that is provided on the output shaft of the X alignment motor 108 and meshes with the rack 110.

  The front / rear alignment drive mechanism is provided on the Z alignment motor 112 and the support 113 provided on the upper portion of the table 109, the pinion 114 provided on the output shaft of the Z alignment motor 112, and the upper portion of the support 113. And a case 115 that forms the base of this. The case 115 is slidably held back and forth and is covered with the housing of the apparatus main body 4. A rack 116 is provided on the side of the case 115, and the rack 116 meshes with the pinion 114.

  The Y alignment motor 104 is driven in accordance with a rotation operation around the knob central axis of the operation knob 5 and is also driven by a control signal output from a control unit 80 described later, thereby aligning the apparatus body 4 in the Y direction. Used to do The X alignment motor 108 and the Z alignment motor 112 are driven by a control signal output from the control unit 80 in addition to being driven according to the tilting operation of the operation knob 5. Further, the X alignment motor 108 is used for alignment of the apparatus main body 4 in the X direction. The Z alignment mode 112 is used to perform alignment of the apparatus body 4 in the Z direction. As each alignment motor 104, 108, 112, for example, a stepping motor (pulse motor) capable of position control is used.

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing an optical system including a compressed air injection structure in the non-contact tonometer of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an optical system including a compressed air ejection structure in the non-contact tonometer of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 115 includes an anterior ocular segment observation optical system 10, an XY alignment index projection optical system 20, a fixation target projection optical system 30, and an XY alignment detection optical system. 40, a corneal deformation detection optical system 50, a Z alignment index projection optical system 60, and a Z alignment detection optical system 70 are provided.

The anterior ocular segment observation optical system 10 is an optical system for observing the anterior ocular segment of the eye E to be examined.
The anterior ocular segment observation optical system 10 is provided in the anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b that are positioned on the left and right sides of the eye E and directly illuminates the anterior ocular segment, and the nozzle unit 8 so as to measure the eye E when measuring intraocular pressure. An airflow spray nozzle 12 that blows air on, an anterior ocular window glass 13, a chamber window glass 14, a half mirror 15, an objective lens 16, half mirrors 17 and 18, and a CCD 19. These are arranged on the optical axis O ₁ .
The airflow spray nozzle 12 is connected to a cylinder 12b provided with a piston 12a, and the piston 12a is driven by a piston solenoid 12c to spray air onto the cornea C.
The anterior segment image of the eye E illuminated by the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b passes through the outside of the airflow spray nozzle 12 and passes through the anterior segment window glass 13, the chamber window glass 14, and the half mirror 15. The light passes through the half mirrors 17 and 18 while being focused by the objective lens 16 and is formed on the CCD 19.

The XY alignment index projection optical system 20 projects, from the front, index light (XY alignment index light) for detecting alignment in the XY directions (left and right and up and down directions) and detecting the amount of corneal deformation onto the cornea C of the eye E to be examined. It is.
The XY alignment index projection optical system 20 includes an XY alignment light source 21 that emits infrared light that serves as both XY alignment detection and applanation detection, a condenser lens 22, an aperture stop 23, a pinhole plate 24, and a dichroic. The mirror 25, the projection lens 26, the half mirror 15, the chamber window glass 14, and the airflow spray nozzle 12 are provided. The projection lens 26 is disposed on the optical path so that the focal point coincides with the pinhole plate 24.

The fixation target projection optical system 30 is an optical system that presents a fixation target to the eye E.
This fixation target projection optical system 30 includes a fixation target light source 31 that emits visible light, a pinhole plate 32, a dichroic mirror 25, a projection lens 26, a half mirror 15, a chamber window glass 14, An air blowing nozzle 12 is provided.
The fixation target light emitted from the fixation target light source 31 passes through the pinhole plate 32 and the dichroic mirror 25, is converted into a parallel light beam by the projection lens 26, and is reflected by the half mirror 15. , Passes through the inside of the airflow spray nozzle 12 and is guided to the eye E to be examined. Then, when the subject gazes at the fixation target as the fixation target, the subject's line of sight (that is, eye E) is fixed.

The XY alignment detection optical system 40 is an optical system that receives the reflected light of the XY alignment index light from the cornea C and detects the positional relationship between the apparatus main body 4 and the cornea C in the XY direction.
The XY alignment detection optical system 40 includes an airflow spray nozzle 12, a chamber window glass 14, a half mirror 15, an objective lens 16, half mirrors 17 and 18, and an XY alignment bright spot position sensor 41. As the XY alignment bright spot position sensor 41, a light receiving sensor capable of detecting a spot-like bright spot position such as a PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) sensor is used.

The corneal deformation detection optical system 50 is an optical system that receives the reflected light of the XY alignment index light from the cornea C and detects the applanation deformation of the cornea C.
A part of the light beam reflected by the half mirror 17 of the XY alignment detection optical system 40 is guided to the corneal deformation detection optical system 50, passes through the pinhole plate 51, and is guided to the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52. It is burned. As the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52, a light receiving sensor capable of detecting the amount of light such as a photodiode is used.

The Z alignment index projection optical system 60 is an optical system that projects index light (Z alignment index light) for detecting alignment in the Z direction (front-rear direction) onto the cornea C from an oblique direction.
The Z alignment index projection optical system 60 includes a Z alignment light source 61 that emits infrared light, a condenser lens 62, an aperture stop 63, a pinhole plate 64, and a projection lens 65. These are arranged on the optical axis O ₂ . The projection lens 65 is arranged on the optical path so that the focal point coincides with the pinhole plate 64.

The Z alignment detection optical system 70 receives the reflected light of the Z alignment index light from the cornea C from a direction symmetric with respect to the optical axis O ₁ of the anterior ocular segment observation optical system 10 and in the Z direction between the apparatus body 4 and the cornea C. This is an optical system for detecting the positional relationship.
This Z alignment detection optical system 70 includes an imaging lens 71, a cylindrical lens 72 having power in the Y direction, and a Z alignment bright spot position sensor 73. These are arranged on the optical axis O ₃ . As the Z alignment bright spot position sensor 73, a light receiving sensor capable of detecting a bright spot position such as a line sensor or a PSD sensor is used.

  FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing a control unit 80 that performs auto-alignment drive control processing and arithmetic processing for measuring intraocular pressure and its input / output system in the non-contact tonometer of the first embodiment.

  The control unit 80 includes an arithmetic control circuit 80a, a driver 80b for driving the X alignment motor 108, a driver 80c for driving the Y alignment motor 104, and a driver 80d for driving the Z alignment motor 112.

  As an input system to the arithmetic control circuit 80a, as shown in FIG. 6, a main switch 81, a CCD 19, a photographing button 5a, an XY alignment bright spot position sensor 41, a Z alignment bright spot position sensor 73, Operation knob contact sensor 82 (operation knob contact detection means), subject detection sensor 83 (subject detection means), applanation detection light receiving sensor 52, chamber internal pressure sensor 84, and other sensors and switches 85 And.

  The main switch 81 is a test start switch that is turned on to perform initialization processing or the like when a test is performed using a non-contact tonometer.

  The operation knob contact sensor 82 is a means for detecting that the examiner is touching the operation knob 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the operation knob 5 is touched by the examiner. It is provided at the outer peripheral position. As the operation knob contact sensor 82, for example, a capacitance detection type touch sensor or the like is used.

  The subject detection sensor 83 is means for detecting the presence of the subject in front of the apparatus main body 4 and supports the head of the subject as shown in FIG. 1 (b), for example. Of the cradle 1, when the subject supports the head on the cradle 1, the front surface position of the cradle 1 is set to be in contact with the subject.

  The chamber internal pressure sensor 84 is a sensor that detects a change in atmospheric pressure in the chamber leading to the airflow spray nozzle 12. This chamber internal pressure information is used as intraocular pressure measurement information.

  As an output system from the drivers 80b, 80c, and 80d, as shown in FIG. 6, an X alignment motor 108, a Y alignment motor 104, and a Z alignment motor 112 are provided. As an output system from the arithmetic control circuit 80a, as shown in FIG. 6, a piston solenoid 12c, a monitor 6, and a light emission control circuit 86 are provided. Further, as an output system from the light emission control circuit 86, as shown in FIG. 6, the anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b, the XY alignment light source 21, the fixation target light source 31, and the Z alignment light source 61 are used. And are provided.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the auto-alignment drive control process executed by the control unit 80 of the first embodiment, and each step will be described below. This flowchart is started when the main switch 81 is turned ON.

  In step S 1, following the start of the flowchart, the determination of the absence of the subject in step S 1, or the determination of the operation knob non-contact in step S 2, the apparatus main body 4 is based on the sensor signal from the subject detection sensor 83. It is determined whether or not the subject exists before the test, and if YES (the subject exists), the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO (the subject does not exist), the determination in step S1 is repeated. .

  In step S2, following the determination that the subject is detected in step S1, it is determined whether or not the examiner is touching the operation knob 5 based on the sensor signal from the operation knob contact sensor 82, and if YES ( Operation knob contact) moves to step S3, and in the case of NO (operation knob non-contact), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S3, following the determination of the operation knob contact in step S2, the manual alignment in step S8, or the manual alignment in step S13, the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b are turned on or turned on. The non-examiner's anterior eye image is captured from the monitor 6, and the process proceeds to step S4. The monitor image is generated by the arithmetic control circuit 80a based on the anterior ocular segment image signal from the CCD 19.

  In step S4, following the anterior segment illumination and image capture in step S3, a bright spot detection operation is performed using the anterior segment illumination light (alignment target) present in the anterior segment image displayed on the monitor 6. The process proceeds to step S5. Note that the bright spot detection operation is performed, for example, by image processing for obtaining a light amount distribution of the anterior segment image.

  In step S5, following the bright spot detection in step S4, it is determined whether or not the bright spot detection has succeeded because at least one bright spot by the anterior segment illumination light exists in the anterior segment image. If YES, the process proceeds to step S6. If NO, the process proceeds to step S8. The success of the bright spot detection is performed, for example, by analyzing the light amount distribution characteristics of the anterior segment image and having a high light amount portion corresponding to the anterior segment illumination light area in the characteristics.

  In step S6, following the successful determination of bright spot detection in step S5, a command to monitor display “automatic alignment is possible” is output so that it can be easily seen by the examiner watching the monitor 6, and the process proceeds to step S7. Transition. In addition to the indication “Auto alignment is possible” on the screen of the monitor 6, based on the indication “Auto alignment will start when the hand is released from the operation knob.” If the alignment operation is performed in the direction, the guide position of the operation direction may be displayed together.

  In step S7, following the “automatic alignment possible” display in step S6, it is determined whether the examiner has released his hand from the operation knob 5 based on the sensor signal from the operation knob contact sensor 82. If YES, (Operation knob non-contact) proceeds to step S9, and if NO (operation knob contact), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, manual alignment in which the examiner manually operates the operation knob 5 is executed following the determination that the bright spot detection is unsuccessful in step S5 or the operation knob contact in step S7. Return to step S3.

  In step S9, following the determination that the operation knob is not in contact in step S7 or the motor driving in step S12, the amount of deviation of the XY alignment luminescent spot from the normal position (hereinafter referred to as “bright spot deviation amount”). Is determined to be out of the preset precision range. If it is out of the precision range (precision range NG), the process proceeds to step S10, and if it is within the precision range (precision range OK). Proceeds to step S14. Here, the fine range is an area where fine alignment is required to converge the alignment bright spot to the normal position, and is set in the vicinity of the normal position. Note that this precise range coincides with a region where auto-alignment is started, for example, in JP-A-9-224912.

In step S10, following the determination that the precision range is NG in step S9, a motor drive command value by rough alignment with a high motor drive speed and low position accuracy is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S11.
Note that the rough alignment by the automatic alignment drive control is performed instead of the rough alignment by manual alignment in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-224912.

  In step S11, the calculation of the motor drive command value by rough alignment in step S10, the determination that the bright spot shift amount cannot be measured in step S15, or the bright spot shift amount in step S17> the alignment completion threshold value. Then, based on the sensor signal from the operation knob contact sensor 82, it is determined whether or not the examiner has released his hand from the operation knob 5. If YES (operation knob non-contact), the process proceeds to step S12. If NO (operation knob contact), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, following the determination that the operation knob is not in contact in step S11, the motor drive calculated by the motor drive command value calculated in the rough alignment in step S10 or the fine alignment in step S14. The alignment motors 108, 104, 112 are driven by the command value, and the process returns to step S9.

  In step S13, following the determination that the operation knob is touched in step S11, the auto-alignment drive control being executed is stopped, and the manual alignment is performed by the examiner performing manual operation on the operation knob 5 from the auto-alignment drive control. Switch to step S3.

In step S14, following the determination that the precision range is OK in step S9, a motor drive command value by precision alignment with a low motor drive speed and high position accuracy is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S15.
The precise alignment in the auto alignment drive control is the same as the fine alignment in the auto alignment drive control in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-224912, for example.

  In step S15, following the precise alignment in step S14, it is determined whether or not the bright spot shift amount can be measured. If YES (the bright spot shift amount can be measured), the process proceeds to step S16, and NO is determined. If this is the case (the bright spot deviation amount cannot be measured), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S16, following the determination that the bright spot shift amount can be measured in step S15, the bright spot shift amount, which is the deviation from the normal position of the XY alignment bright spot and the Z alignment bright spot, is measured, and the process proceeds to step S17. To do.

In step S17, following the measurement of the bright spot shift amount in step S16, it is determined whether or not the measured bright spot shift amount in the XYZ directions is equal to or less than the alignment completion threshold value. If YES (the bright spot shift amount) ≦ Alignment completion threshold) proceeds to step S18, and in the case of NO (bright spot deviation amount> alignment completion threshold), the process proceeds to step S11.
Here, the alignment completion threshold value is set to a small value close to zero in order to keep the intraocular pressure measurement error small within an allowable error range.

  In step S18, following the determination that bright spot shift amount ≦ alignment completion threshold value in step S17, air is immediately injected from the nozzle portion 8 to applanate the cornea C of the eye E, and the cornea C is constant. Intraocular pressure measurement is performed to measure the intraocular pressure value of the eye E from the internal pressure of the chamber when the shape is deformed.

  Steps S1 and S2 correspond to an alignment start environment condition determination unit and an alignment start environment condition determination procedure. Steps S <b> 3 to S <b> 5 and step S <b> 8 correspond to an auto-alignment start condition determination unit and an auto-alignment start condition determination procedure. Steps S6 to S8 correspond to auto-alignment start notification means and auto-alignment start notification procedure. Steps S9 to S17 correspond to auto alignment drive control means and auto alignment drive control procedures.

Next, the operation will be described.
First, “alignment technology” will be described, and then the operations in the non-contact tonometer S of the first embodiment will be referred to as “alignment bright spot position detection operation”, “auto alignment start condition determination and start notification operation. ”,“ Automatic alignment drive control action ”, and“ intraocular pressure measurement action ”.

[About alignment technology]
Conventionally, in an ophthalmologic apparatus such as a non-contact tonometer, an ocular refractive power measurement apparatus, and a corneal endothelial cell imaging apparatus, an auto-alignment mechanism for automatically adjusting an alignment state with an eye to be examined is provided. Such an ophthalmologic apparatus includes, for example, a base placed on an installation surface, a pedestal that can be moved in the front-rear and left-right directions on the base, and is manually controlled by an operation knob (also referred to as “joystick”). And an apparatus main body that is movable in a three-dimensional direction with respect to the gantry and that is controlled to move by a mechanism for detecting the amount of misalignment and a drive mechanism.

  In addition, in this type of ophthalmic apparatus, first, the main body of the apparatus is positioned about several mm behind the working distance suitable for measurement (for example, about 11 mm for a non-contact tonometer), and the eye image on the monitor is viewed. While performing XY alignment in the vertical direction (Y direction) and the horizontal direction (X direction), and after completing the XY alignment in this rear position, the apparatus body is gradually brought closer to the eye to be examined, and the longitudinal direction (Z direction) Guide the examiner to complete the Z alignment. A method for performing alignment in such a procedure is referred to as an “XY prefix method”.

  In addition to the reason that the alignment operation can be performed easily and safely, this XY prefix method has a detection accuracy of the detection mechanism of the Z alignment shift amount in the Z direction, and the magnitude of the XY alignment shift amount in the XY direction. Therefore, the XY alignment in the XY direction is widely adopted because the alignment can be completed quickly.

  Here, “XY alignment” refers to the positional relationship in the left-right and up-down directions (two-dimensional coordinate system based on the XY axes) of the eye cornea to be examined with respect to the apparatus main body. The “Z alignment” refers to the positional relationship in the front-rear direction (one-dimensional coordinate system based on the Z axis) of the eye cornea to be examined with respect to the apparatus main body. Furthermore, “alignment” refers to adjusting the positional relationship between the left and right vertical directions and the front and rear directions of the eye cornea to be examined to the normal position.

  In the “auto alignment”, light is projected from the front onto the eye to be examined, light reflected by the eye cornea is detected, and the XY alignment bright spot position is detected as movement of the bright spot on the two-dimensional sensor. Light is obliquely projected onto the eye to be examined, light reflected by the eye cornea is received, and the Z alignment bright spot position is detected as movement of the bright spot of the one-dimensional sensor. Then, based on these detection signals, the apparatus main body is driven and controlled in a three-dimensional direction, and the positional relationship of the eye cornea to the apparatus main body in the horizontal and vertical directions and the front-back direction is automatically adjusted to the normal position. .

Therefore, an inspection procedure in a conventional ophthalmologic apparatus that performs auto-alignment using a mode changeover switch, an auto-alignment start switch, and the like will be described.
First, the subject's face is fixed by a forehead and a chin rest, and the fixation target by the fixation target projection system is watched by the eye. In this state, the examiner grasps the operation knob and performs manual operation to perform XY alignment in the vertical direction (Y direction) and the horizontal direction (X direction) while viewing the eye image on the monitor. Z alignment in the direction (Z direction) is performed. Then, when the examiner visually confirms that the bright spot from the alignment light source exists within the precise range of the anterior segment image displayed on the monitor screen, the auto alignment mode selection operation by the mode changeover switch, or Auto alignment is started by turning ON the auto alignment start switch.

  However, in the case of an inspection procedure using a conventional ophthalmologic apparatus, manual alignment is performed until a bright spot from the alignment light source exists within a precise range, so that a long time is required for the alignment operation due to the subject's sluggishness and the like. In addition, since the examiner performs switching operation between manual alignment and auto alignment by setting a switch operation or an apparatus menu, the operability is inferior. In addition, prior to the switch operation for starting auto alignment, the examiner is requested to make an appropriate auto alignment start determination, and therefore, there is a possibility that a determination error may occur due to ambient light or surrounding conditions. For these reasons, auto-alignment cannot be started quickly unless an experienced examiner is accustomed to the operation at the time of ophthalmic examination.

  In other words, although it is an apparatus equipped with an auto-alignment function, it is not fully satisfactory from the viewpoint of ease of use. For example, even an inexperienced examiner can use the auto-alignment function with a natural feeling of operation. In addition, I want to improve the operability of the device. Furthermore, there is a demand for smooth operation of auto-alignment to ensure stable adjustment accuracy by auto-alignment regardless of the skill level of the examiner.

The present inventor has paid attention to an inspection procedure performed by a skilled examiner to quickly start auto-alignment in response to problems and requirements of an ophthalmologic apparatus having an auto-alignment function.
In accordance with this point of interest, following the alignment start environmental condition determination, the automatic alignment start condition determination is performed while performing manual alignment, and if the auto alignment start condition is satisfied, a means for notifying the examiner that auto alignment can be started. It was adopted.

[Alignment bright spot position detection]
The operation of detecting the position of the alignment bright spot from the alignment light sources 21 and 61 used as input information for auto-alignment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the infrared light emitted from the light source 21 for XY alignment passes through the aperture stop 23 while being focused by the condenser lens 22 and is guided to the pinhole plate 24. The light beam that has passed through the pinhole plate 24 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 25, becomes a parallel light beam by the projection lens 26, is reflected by the half mirror 15, passes through the chamber window glass 14, and passes through the air blowing nozzle 12. Pass through. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, XY alignment target light K is formed. The XY alignment target light K is reflected on the cornea surface T so as to form a bright spot image R at an intermediate position between the apex P of the cornea C and the center of curvature of the cornea C, as shown in FIG. The aperture stop 23 is provided at a position conjugate with the corneal apex P with respect to the projection lens 26.

  Then, the light beam projected onto the cornea C by the XY alignment target projection optical system 20 and reflected by the cornea surface T passes through the inside of the airflow spray nozzle 12 and passes through the chamber window glass 14 and the half mirror 15, While being focused by the objective lens 16, a part thereof is transmitted through the half mirror 17, and a part thereof is reflected by the half mirror 18. The light beam reflected by the half mirror 18 forms a bright spot image on the XY alignment bright spot position sensor 41. The calculation control circuit 80a obtains the light intensity barycentric position of the bright spot image based on the output of the XY alignment bright spot position sensor 41, and calculates the positional relationship between the apparatus main body 4 and the cornea C in the XY directions. By this calculation, the position of the XY alignment bright spot is detected.

  Infrared light emitted from the light source 61 for Z alignment passes through the aperture stop 63 while being condensed by the condenser lens 62 and is guided to the pinhole plate 64. The light beam that has passed through the pinhole plate 64 is guided to the cornea C as a parallel light beam by the projection lens 65. As shown in FIG. 9, the parallel light flux is reflected on the corneal surface T so as to form a bright spot image Q. The aperture stop 63 is provided at a position conjugate with the apex P of the cornea C with respect to the projection lens 65.

  The reflected light beam on the cornea surface T of the Z alignment index light projected by the Z alignment index projection optical system 60 is focused by the imaging lens 71 and is projected onto the Z alignment luminescent spot position sensor 73 via the cylindrical lens 72. Q ′ is formed. The output of the Z alignment bright spot position sensor 73 is input to the arithmetic control circuit 80a. The arithmetic control circuit 80a obtains the light center of gravity position of the bright spot image based on the output of the Z alignment bright spot position sensor 73, and calculates the positional relationship between the apparatus main body 4 and the cornea C in the Z direction. By this calculation, the position of the Z alignment bright spot is detected.

[Auto alignment start condition judgment and start notification action]
When measuring the intraocular pressure of the subject with the non-contact tonometer S of Example 1, first, the subject's face is fixed with the forehead and chin rest of the cradle 1 and the fixation target is fixed with the eye E. Have the patient fixate on the fixation target. In this state, when the examiner releases his hand from the operation knob 5, the flow of steps S1 to S2 is repeated in the flowchart of FIG.

  Thereafter, when the examiner grasps the operation knob 5, the subject detection condition in step S1 and the operation knob contact condition in step S2 are established, and in the flowchart of FIG. 7, step S1, step S2, step S3, step S4. → Proceed to step S5. If no bright spot by the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b can be detected on the screen of the monitor 6 simply by grasping the operation knob 5, the bright spot detection is unsuccessful, and step S3 → step The flow from S4 to step S5 to step S8 is repeated, and the examiner almost directly faces the apparatus main body 4 with respect to the subject eye E, and at least the bright spots by the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b are displayed on the screen of the monitor 6 Perform manual alignment to the position where one is detected.

  When the bright spot detection in step S5 is successful, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and in step S6, “Auto” A command to monitor and display “alignment is possible” is output, and in the next step S 7, when it is determined that the examiner has released his hand from the operation knob 5, automatic alignment drive control is automatically started. While the examiner is grasping the operation knob 5, it is determined that there is an intention of manual alignment operation, the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8, the process returns to step S3, and the above operation is repeated.

  Here, the success of the bright spot detection in step S5 is determined by detecting at least one bright spot by the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b on the screen of the monitor 6. That is, the light flux reflected by the cornea C that has passed through the half mirror 18 of the anterior ocular segment observation optical system 10 forms bright spots by the anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 11 a and 11 b on the CCD 19. Then, the CCD 19 outputs an image signal to the monitor 6 via the arithmetic control circuit 80a. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, by the anterior segment image E ′ of the eye E and the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b. Bright spots FL and FL are displayed on the screen G of the monitor 6.

  Therefore, the judgment of the alignment start environment condition by step S1 and step S2 and the auto alignment start condition performed while performing manual alignment by step S3 to step S5, step S8 is an ophthalmology performed by a skilled examiner based on visual judgment. In accordance with the inspection procedure, instead of visual judgment, automatic auto alignment start judgment is performed. Therefore, auto alignment start judgment is performed appropriately and quickly. The manual alignment is performed until the bright spot detection by the anterior segment illumination light sources 11a and 11b succeeds. Since the rough alignment that has been conventionally performed in the manual alignment is moved to the auto alignment side, the time required for the rough alignment is reached. Is shortened, and quick start determination of auto alignment can be performed.

As a result, the judgment burden and operation burden on the examiner can be reduced, the waiting time of the subject with the eyes open can be shortened, and the waiting burden on the subject can be reduced.
In addition, the trouble of determining the start of auto-alignment and the switching operation eliminates the need to use the auto-alignment function of the non-contact tonometer, and effectively uses the auto-alignment function of the non-contact tonometer. Can be able to.

[Auto alignment drive control function]
When the examiner releases his hand from the operation knob 5 in accordance with the monitor display “auto alignment is possible” based on the determination that the auto alignment start condition is satisfied, from step S7 to step S9 → step S10 → Proceeding from step S11 to step S12, automatic alignment drive control by "rough alignment" is automatically started.

  That is, after determining that the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied, it is determined that the examiner intends to shift to the automatic alignment drive control because the examiner does not touch the operation knob 5, and automatically By starting the auto alignment drive control, the auto alignment drive control can be executed without requiring a switch operation.

Then, as long as the bright spot by the alignment index light is not in the precise range and the state where the hand is released from the operation knob 5 is maintained, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, go to step S9 → step S10 → step S11 → step S12. The flow that advances is repeated, and rough alignment is performed with high motor drive speed and low position accuracy.
Therefore, execution of rough alignment by auto-alignment allows the bright alignment by alignment index light to be put in the precise range and finish the rough alignment more quickly and accurately than when rough alignment is performed by manual alignment.

Next, when the bright spot by the alignment index light enters the precise range by executing the rough alignment, as long as the bright spot shift amount can be measured, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, step S9 → step S14 → step S15 → step S16. The flow of steps from step S17 to step S11 to step S12 is repeated, and precise alignment with a low motor drive speed and high position accuracy is executed.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the bright spot R′2 by the rough alignment in the X and Y directions is displayed on the screen G of the monitor 6 as shown in FIG. The XY alignment index light is advanced from the virtual line position toward the normal position CM and deviated from the normal position CM, but is displayed within the fine range H and is focused by the rough alignment in the Z direction. The bright spot R′2 is clearly displayed on the monitor screen.
As described above, in the automatic alignment drive control, the bright spot R′2 by the XY alignment index light is brought close to the normal position CM with good response by executing the rough alignment, and the bright spot by the XY alignment index light by executing the precise alignment. It is possible to perform alignment so that the point R′2 coincides with the normal position CM with high accuracy.

If it is determined in step S17 that the bright spot shift amount in all directions of XYZ is equal to or less than the alignment completion threshold value, the process proceeds from step S17 to step S18 in the flowchart of FIG. Is called. As a result, after the alignment is completed, the intraocular pressure measurement is performed by immediately blowing air to the cornea C of the eye E without being affected by the measurement error caused by the eye E moving due to fixation fixation or the like. .
Here, the bright spot deviation amount by the XY alignment index light being equal to or smaller than the alignment completion threshold is, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 where the bright spot R′2 of the XY alignment index light is the screen G of the monitor 6. In the above, it means a state that substantially coincides with the normal position CM and that the amount of bright spot deviation in the Z direction is not more than the alignment completion threshold value.

If the examiner touches the operation knob 5 during the execution of the rough alignment, the process proceeds to step S10 → step S11 → step S13 → step S3 to step S7 in the flowchart of FIG. Further, when the examiner touches the operation knob 5 during the execution of the precision alignment, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, step S14 → step S15 → step S16 → step S17 → step S11 → step S13 → step S3 to step S7. Proceed to Further, when the examiner touches the operation knob 5 during the precise alignment and the measurement of the bright spot shift amount is impossible, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, step S9 → step S14 → step S15 → step S11. → Step S13 → Proceed to Step S3 to Step S7.
In either case, in step S13, the automatic alignment drive control is stopped, and the operation knob 5 is switched to manual alignment that is manually aligned by the examiner.

  That is, when the examiner touches the operation knob 5 during auto alignment drive control by rough alignment or fine alignment, the examiner's intention to perform manual alignment is determined, and the examiner's intention is given priority. Manual alignment is prioritized over alignment, and switching from auto alignment to manual alignment is performed.

[Intraocular pressure measurement effect]
The light beam projected onto the cornea C by the XY alignment target projection optical system 20 and reflected by the cornea surface T passes through the inside of the airflow spray nozzle 12 and passes through the chamber window glass 14 and the half mirror 15, and the objective lens. A part of the light beam which is partly reflected by the half mirror 17 while being focused by the light guide 16 is guided to the corneal deformation detection optical system 50, passes through the pinhole plate 51, and is guided to the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52. It is burned. As the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52, a light receiving sensor capable of detecting the amount of light such as a photodiode is used.

  In intraocular pressure measurement, when the alignment of all the XYZ alignments is confirmed, the piston solenoid 12c is driven to inject air from the airflow spray nozzle 12 onto the cornea C of the eye E. At this time, the amount of light incident on the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52 of the applanation detection system and the temporal change in the internal pressure by the chamber internal pressure sensor 84 are stored.

  The applanation detection system is configured so that the amount of light incident on the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52 is maximized when the eye cornea C to be examined is applanated in a plane. For this reason, when air is jetted onto the cornea C of the eye E, the amount of light incident on the applanation detection light receiving sensor 52 increases in accordance with the applanation of the cornea C of the eye E, and becomes maximum when it becomes flat. Further, when applanation progresses and the cornea C of the eye E becomes concave, the amount of light decreases again.

  Therefore, the position of the center of gravity of the light amount that changes with time is detected, and the chamber internal pressure value at this time is obtained. Here, since the chamber internal pressure and the pressure of the air injected to the cornea C of the eye E to be examined have a certain correlation, the eye pressure value to be examined can be obtained from the chamber internal pressure value.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the non-contact tonometer S of Example 1, the effects listed below can be obtained.

  (1) Auto-alignment that includes an optical system for ophthalmic examination in the apparatus main body 4 and can automatically perform alignment with the relative position relationship between the apparatus main body 4 and the eye E to be examined as a normal position. In the non-contact tonometer S with a function, the alignment start environment condition determining means for determining the alignment start environment condition when the subject and the examiner exist in an inspectable state with respect to the apparatus body 4 (step S1 and step When the alignment start environmental condition is satisfied, the determination of the auto alignment start condition is started as to whether or not the alignment target has been successfully detected while performing manual alignment in which the examiner manually operates the operation knob 5. Auto alignment start condition determining means (steps S3 to S5, step S8), and auto alignment When the start condition is satisfied, the automatic alignment start notifying means (step S6) for notifying the examiner that the automatic alignment can be started is provided, so that the examiner is not forced to perform troublesome switch operation or menu setting. By appropriately and quickly determining the start of auto-alignment, the burden on both the examiner and the subject can be reduced, and the auto-alignment function of the non-contact tonometer S can be used effectively.

  (2) A subject detection sensor 83 for detecting the presence of the subject in front of the apparatus body 4 and an operation knob contact sensor 82 for detecting that the examiner is touching the operation knob 5. The alignment start environment condition judging means detects that the subject exists in front of the apparatus body 4 (YES in step S1) and that the examiner is touching the operation knob 5 (step S2). YES), since it is determined that the alignment start environment condition is satisfied, it is possible to reliably prevent the determination of the auto alignment start condition when there is no subject in front of the apparatus body 4.

  (3) The auto-alignment start condition determining means captures the anterior segment image of the eye E (Step S3), and irradiates the anterior segment illumination light emitted from the device body 4 toward the anterior segment of the subject. The auto-alignment start notifying means determines the auto-alignment start condition based on the presence of at least one bright spot in the image area of the monitor 6 that displays the anterior segment image (step S4 and step S5). If it is determined that the start condition is satisfied (YES in step S5), at least a screen display on the monitor 6 informs the examiner that auto-alignment can be started (step S6). Compared with the adjustment to the precise range, the manual alignment can be completed quickly and easily. As soon as the manual alignment is finished, the automatic alignment drive control can be started.

  (4) After notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started by the auto-alignment start notifying means (step S6), if it is detected that the examiner is not touching the operation knob 5 (YES in step S7) ), An auto-alignment drive control means (steps S9 to S17) for starting auto-alignment drive control with the bright spot as a normal position by driving the apparatus body 4 with respect to the apparatus base 2 in a three-dimensional direction. Therefore, when the examiner who knew that auto-alignment can be started has not touched the operation knob 5, it is determined that the examiner intends to shift to the auto-alignment drive control. The automatic alignment drive control can be automatically started without the need for the above operation.

  (5) After starting the auto-alignment drive control, the auto-alignment drive control means stops the auto-alignment drive control when detecting that the examiner touches the operation knob 5 (NO in step S11). Is switched to manual alignment for manual operation with respect to the operation knob 5 (step S13). Therefore, when the examiner touches the operation knob 5 during the automatic alignment drive control, the examiner intends to shift to manual alignment. In this case, manual alignment can be automatically started in preference to auto alignment drive control.

  (6) The auto-alignment drive control means, when the bright spot deviation from the normal position is out of the preset precision range (NG in step S9), coarse alignment with high motor drive speed and low position accuracy. Control is executed (step S10), and when the bright spot deviation from the normal position falls within a preset precision range (OK in step S9), precise alignment control with low motor drive speed and high position accuracy is executed. Therefore, the automatic alignment can be completed in a short time by the coarse alignment control and with high precision by the precise alignment control.

  (7) The auto-alignment drive control means measures the amount of bright spot deviation between the normal position and the bright spot when the bright spot deviation from the normal position falls within a preset precision range (OK in step S9). (Step S16), and if the bright spot deviation amount is equal to or smaller than the alignment completion threshold value (YES in Step S17), the ophthalmic examination operation is started (Step S18). When the completion is determined, the operation of the ophthalmic examination can be started without being affected by the fixation target fine movement of the eye E.

  (8) A non-contact tonometer S that includes an optical system for ophthalmic examination in the apparatus main body 4 and automatically performs alignment with the relative position relationship between the apparatus main body 4 and the eye to be examined in a three-dimensional direction as a normal position. In the used auto-alignment method, the alignment start environment condition determination procedure (step S1 and step S2) for determining the alignment start environment condition when the subject and the examiner exist in an inspectable state with respect to the apparatus main body 4; When the alignment start environmental condition is satisfied, the auto-alignment start is started to start the determination of the auto-alignment start condition as to whether or not the alignment target has been successfully detected while performing manual alignment in which the examiner manually operates the operation knob 5. The condition judgment procedure (steps S3 to S5, step S8) and the auto alignment start condition are satisfied. When standing up, the auto-alignment start notifying procedure (step S6) for notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started and the auto-alignment can be started for the examiner by the auto-alignment start notifying procedure. Thereafter, when it is detected that the examiner has not touched the operation knob 5 (YES in step S7), an auto alignment drive control procedure (steps S9 to S17) for starting the auto alignment drive control is provided. The burden on both the examiner and the subject can be reduced by determining the start of auto-alignment appropriately and quickly without forcing the examiner to perform operations and menu settings. Providing an auto alignment method that effectively utilizes the alignment function Kill.

  As described above, the ophthalmic apparatus and the auto-alignment method using the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention have been described based on the first embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the first embodiment, and the scope of the claims is as follows. Design changes and additions are allowed without departing from the spirit of the invention according to each claim.

  In the first embodiment, an example of a subject sensor that detects the presence by contact of the subject is shown as the subject detection means, and an operation knob contact sensor that detects the contact of the examiner as the operation knob contact detection means. Although an example has been shown, the presence of the subject and the presence of the examiner may be detected using a non-contact type sensor using infrared laser light or the like.

  In the first embodiment, as the automatic alignment start condition determining means, an example of determining the auto alignment start condition when at least one bright spot by the anterior segment illumination light is present in the image area of the monitor displaying the anterior segment image. Indicated. However, for example, the auto-alignment start condition may be determined by the presence of a bright spot image signal from an alignment light source in a pixel area such as a CCD. In addition, a threshold for the amount of bright spot deviation from the normal position is set, and auto alignment starts when the amount of bright spot deviation from the normal position is within the threshold value (within the drive control range by auto alignment). An example of determining the condition may be used.

  In the first embodiment, as an example of the automatic alignment start notifying unit, an example in which a display notifying that the automatic alignment is possible is displayed on the monitor screen. However, it may be notified by one or a combination of monitor display, voice notification, lamp lighting or flashing notification, or the like.

  In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which auto-alignment drive control is automatically started by detecting non-contact of the operation knob after displaying on the monitor screen that the auto-alignment is possible. . However, it is also possible to start the auto alignment drive control by operating the switch to the auto alignment start switch after displaying on the monitor screen that the auto alignment is possible. The auto alignment drive control may be started when either one of the switch operation and the switch operation is established.

  In short, a means for determining the alignment start environment condition when the subject and the examiner exist in an inspectable state with respect to the apparatus main body, and whether the alignment target is successfully detected when the alignment start environment condition is satisfied. The first embodiment is provided with means for starting determination of the auto-alignment start condition and means for notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started when the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied. There is no limit.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which a non-contact tonometer (non-contact type tonometer) is applied as an example of an ophthalmic apparatus has been shown. However, a specular microscope that captures and records corneal endothelial cells, a hyperopia / myopia, The present invention can also be applied to an ophthalmologic apparatus such as an autorefractometer for measuring astigmatism power, and a wavefront analyzer having a wavefront aberration measuring function in addition to the function of an autorefractometer. In short, an optical system for ophthalmic examination is provided in the apparatus main body, and an ophthalmic apparatus with an auto-alignment function capable of automatically performing an alignment with the relative position relationship between the apparatus main body and the eye to be examined as a normal position. If applicable.

It is a figure which shows the non-contact type tonometer (an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus) of Example 1, (a) shows the front view of a non-contact type tonometer, (b) shows the side view of a non-contact type tonometer. . 3 is a schematic side view showing an alignment drive mechanism in the non-contact tonometer of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an alignment drive mechanism in the non-contact tonometer of Example 1. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an optical system including a compressed air ejection structure in the non-contact tonometer of Example 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an optical system including a compressed air ejection structure in the non-contact tonometer of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a control unit 80 that performs auto-alignment drive control processing and arithmetic processing for measuring intraocular pressure in the non-contact tonometer of Embodiment 1 and its input / output system. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of auto alignment drive control processing executed by a control unit 80 of Embodiment 1. It is explanatory drawing shown about reflection of the target light for XY alignment projected on the cornea of the eye to be examined from the front direction. It is explanatory drawing shown about reflection of the target light for Z alignment projected on the cornea of the eye to be examined from the diagonal direction. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of the monitor screen when auto alignment start conditions are satisfied. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of a monitor screen when performing precise alignment control by auto alignment drive control. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of the monitor screen when auto alignment is completed.

Explanation of symbols

S Non-contact tonometer (an example of an ophthalmic device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Receptacle 2 Apparatus base 3 Base 4 Apparatus main body 5 Operation knob 6 Monitor 10 Anterior ocular segment observation optical system 11a, 11b Anterior ocular segment illumination light source 19 CCD
20 XY alignment index projection optical system 21 XY alignment light source 30 fixation target projection optical system 31 fixation target light source 40 XY alignment detection optical system 41 XY alignment bright spot position sensor 50 cornea deformation amount detection optical system 60 Z alignment index projection Optical system 61 Z alignment light source 70 Z alignment detection optical system 73 Z alignment bright spot position sensor 80 Control unit 80a Arithmetic control circuit 81 Main switch 82 Operation knob contact sensor (operation knob contact detection means)
83 Subject detection sensor (Subject detection means)
104 Y alignment motor 108 X alignment motor 112 Z alignment motor

Claims (7)

In an ophthalmologic apparatus with an auto alignment function that includes an optical system for ophthalmic examination in an apparatus main body and can automatically perform alignment with a relative position relationship between the apparatus main body and an eye to be examined in a three-dimensional direction as a normal position. ,
A subject detection means for detecting that the head of the subject is supported by the cradle;
Operation unit contact detection means for detecting that the examiner is touching the operation unit;
The subject detection means detects that the head of the subject is supported by a cradle, and the operation portion contact detection means detects that the examiner is touching the operation portion. Alignment start environment condition determination means for determining time as an alignment start environment condition;
When the alignment start environment condition is satisfied, the auto-alignment start condition for starting the determination of the auto-alignment start condition as to whether or not the alignment target has been successfully detected while performing manual alignment for the operator to manually operate the operation unit . Judgment means,
When the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied, auto-alignment start notifying means for notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started,
An ophthalmologic apparatus comprising: The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 ,
The auto-alignment start condition determining means captures an anterior ocular segment image of an eye to be examined, and a bright spot by anterior ocular segment illumination light emitted from the apparatus main body toward the anterior ocular segment of the subject is an anterior ocular segment image. To determine the auto-alignment start condition by having at least one in the image area of the monitor that displays
When it is determined that the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied, the auto-alignment start notifying unit notifies the examiner that the auto-alignment can be started by at least a screen display on the monitor. Ophthalmic equipment. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
After notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started by the auto-alignment start notifying means, and detecting that the examiner is not touching the operation unit , the apparatus main body is in a three-dimensional direction with respect to the apparatus base. An ophthalmologic apparatus comprising an auto-alignment drive control unit that starts auto-alignment drive control with an alignment target as a normal position by driving an actuator to the actuator. The ophthalmic device according to claim 3 ,
When the auto-alignment drive control means detects that the examiner has touched the operation unit after starting the auto-alignment drive control, the auto-alignment drive control unit stops the auto-alignment drive control and manually operates the operation unit with respect to the operation unit . An ophthalmic apparatus characterized by switching to alignment. The ophthalmic device according to claim 4 ,
The auto-alignment drive control means performs coarse alignment control with a high actuator drive speed and low position accuracy when the bright spot deviation from the normal position is out of a preset precision range, An ophthalmic apparatus characterized in that when the amount of bright spot deviation falls within a preset precision range, precise alignment control is performed with a slow actuator drive speed and high positional accuracy. The ophthalmic device according to claim 5 ,
When the bright spot deviation from the normal position is within the preset precision range, the auto alignment drive control means measures the bright spot deviation between the normal position and the bright spot, and the bright spot deviation is completed. An ophthalmologic apparatus characterized by starting an ophthalmic examination operation when the threshold value is reached. In an auto alignment method using an ophthalmologic apparatus that includes an optical system for ophthalmic examination in an apparatus main body, and automatically performs alignment with a relative position relationship between the apparatus main body and an eye to be examined in a three-dimensional direction as a normal position.
A subject detection procedure for detecting that the head of the subject is supported by the cradle;
Operation unit contact detection procedure for detecting that the examiner is touching the operation unit,
An alignment start environment condition determination procedure for detecting that the head of the subject is supported by a cradle and determining that the examiner is touching the operation unit as an alignment start environment condition; ,
When the alignment start environment condition is satisfied, the auto-alignment start condition for starting the determination of the auto-alignment start condition as to whether or not the alignment target has been successfully detected while performing manual alignment for the operator to manually operate the operation unit . Judgment procedure and
When the auto-alignment start condition is satisfied, an auto-alignment start notification procedure for notifying the examiner that auto-alignment can be started,
Auto-alignment drive control procedure for starting auto-alignment drive control when it is detected that the examiner is not touching the operation unit after informing the examiner that auto-alignment can be started by the auto-alignment start notification procedure When,
An auto-alignment method using an ophthalmic apparatus characterized by comprising:

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