JP5587478B2 - Ophthalmic imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ophthalmic imaging apparatus that is used in, for example, an ophthalmic clinic or a group medical examination, and images a subject's eye and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, in order to focus on the fundus of the subject's eye, an index is projected onto the fundus, and the index image is observed through a focus lens to adjust the focus. It is also known that a projected index image is captured and autofocus (AF) is performed based on the positional relationship.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a fundus for capturing a focus split index image divided into two projected onto the fundus, detecting a focus state from each position of the two focus split index images, and dimming the brightness of the index. A camera is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 also discloses an ophthalmologic apparatus that detects a focus state by projecting a focus index onto the fundus and capturing a focus index image with a photographing optical system.

Patent Document 3 discloses a modified example of an apparatus that performs auto-focusing by performing electronic imaging even during observation and detecting the contrast of the captured image itself.
That is, focusing is performed by the high-frequency component of the fundus image, focusing is performed on the first range and the second range of the fundus, and the distance in the optical axis direction is obtained from each focus lens position.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-95907 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-27592 JP-A-1-178237

  However, the conventional fundus camera divides the region of the fundus illumination light beam, the focus split indicator light beam, and the observation photographing light beam in the vicinity of the pupil of the eye to be examined in order to remove the reflected light generated in the cornea of the eye to be examined. Therefore, there is an individual difference in the aberration of the eye optical system to be examined, and if an image is taken only by setting the focus split index image position to a predetermined positional relationship, an error occurs in focusing depending on the eye to be examined, and the fundus image is out of focus. There is a possibility that.

  As a method for solving this problem, an apparatus that performs electronic focusing (AF) by performing electronic imaging even during observation and detecting the contrast of the captured image itself is known. In such an apparatus, as described above, depending on the eye to be examined, an error occurs in focusing and a fundus image that is out of focus is eliminated, but the focus detection site is part of the imaging system. Due to the fixed arrangement, the following issues remain.

  That is, since the fundus image has a different distance in the depth direction depending on the part, in the conventional AF detection in which the focus detection range is fixed, the part to be focused is matched with the focus detection range, and the line of sight of the eye to be examined is guided. Must-have. Further, even if the focus detection range can be moved as in a general AF single-lens reflex camera, it is necessary to manually move the focus detection range or manually determine the position of the focus detection range.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the operability of autofocus by eliminating the above-described problems and automatically determining a focus detection range on the fundus.

To achieve the above object, an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A determination unit that automatically determines a range including the blood vessel part in the fundus of the eye to be examined as a focus detection range based on the position of the blood vessel part in the fundus image of the eye to be examined;
While the focusing lens is moved along the optical path, the in-focus state of the focusing lens is indicated based on luminance signals in the determined focus detection range at a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens in the optical path. An acquisition means for acquiring a value;
Control means for moving the focusing lens along the optical path to a position where a value indicating the in-focus state satisfies a predetermined condition.

  According to the present invention, the operability of autofocus can be improved by automatically determining the focus detection range on the fundus.

1 is a configuration diagram of a fundus camera of Example 1. FIG. It is an external view of a fundus camera. It is explanatory drawing of the detection method by a left-right eye detection means. It is a block diagram of a focus state detection means. It is explanatory drawing of the fundus image displayed on the display monitor. It is a block diagram of a focus detection range determination means. It is a flowchart figure of a control method. It is a principle diagram of contrast detection. It is explanatory drawing of the calculation method of AF evaluation value. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a fundus position detection unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a fundus position detection unit according to a fourth embodiment.

  The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fundus camera that is an example of an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A housing 2 containing an optical unit (optical unit), which is an optical system of a fundus camera, is placed on the base 1 so as to be movable (movable) in the horizontal direction via a gantry (not shown). An illumination optical system extending from the observation light source 3 to the objective lens 4 facing the eye E is provided in the housing 2. On the optical path L1 of the illumination optical system, an observation light source 3 and an imaging light source 5 which are fundus illumination means for illuminating the fundus Er of the eye E to be examined are provided. A relay lens 6 and a mirror are provided in front of the imaging light source 5. 7 are arranged. On the optical path L2 in the reflection direction of the mirror 7, relay lenses 8 and 9 and a perforated mirror 10 are sequentially arranged. The observation light source 3 is a halogen lamp that emits steady light, and the imaging light source 5 is a strobe light source that emits visible light.

  Behind the perforated mirror 10, as an observation photographing optical system, a focus lens 11 (focusing lens) that moves along the optical axis to adjust the focus, a photographing lens 12, a half mirror 13, and a fundus Er of the eye E to be examined. And the fundus imaging means 14 arranged in a conjugate position are sequentially arranged. In the reflection direction of the half mirror 13, a fixation target presenting means 15 made of a light source such as an LED is disposed.

  The output of the fundus imaging means 14 is connected to the focus state detection means 21 (focus state detection means). The output of the focus state detection means 21 is connected to the lens drive means 23 for the focus lens 11 via the drive control means 22, and is connected to the fixation target presenting means 15 via the line-of-sight detection means 24. It is connected to the observation light source 3 via the control means 25.

  Between the base 1 and the housing 2, left and right eye detection means 26 is disposed, and the output of the left and right eye detection means 26 is connected to the focus state detection means 21. The left and right eye detection means 26 has a function of detecting the positional relationship between the housing 2 and the base 1 and determines whether the observation imaging optical system is observing the left or right eye of the subject. Can do.

  The focus state detection unit 21 is connected to a display monitor 27 and performs display control to display on the display monitor 27 a display form indicating a focus detection range (focus detection range) in a state corresponding to a fundus image. That is, the screen of the display monitor 27 is provided with a focus detection range display unit 27a for displaying a focus detection range (focus detection range) with a frame, for example.

  While examining the fundus image (fundus image, fundus moving image) displayed on the display monitor 27, the examiner finely adjusted the alignment between the eye E and the optical unit built in the housing 2. Later, focus adjustment is performed and shooting is performed. The focus adjustment is performed by the drive control unit 22 driving the focus lens 11 via the lens driving unit 23. The fundus camera in this embodiment has an autofocus function for automatically executing this focus adjustment.

  In the fundus camera configured as described above, focus detection is performed by detecting the contrast of the fundus image itself formed by the photographing light flux. Therefore, unlike a conventional apparatus that projects a focus index via the anterior segment Ep outside the imaging light beam, focus adjustment independent of lens aberration of the eye E can be performed.

  The light beam emitted from the fixation target presenting means 15 is reflected by the half mirror 13 and reaches the eye E through the photographing lens 12, the focus lens 11, the hole of the perforated mirror 10, and the objective lens 4. The examiner controls the movement of the line of sight of the subject by presenting the bright spot by the fixation target presenting means 15 to the subject. Further, by moving the position of the bright spot of the fixation target presenting means 15 by a fixation target moving means (not shown), the direction of the line of sight of the eye E can be directed to an arbitrary direction.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the fundus camera in the present embodiment, and a pedestal 31 that can move in the direction of the arrow is placed on the base 1. On the gantry 31, the housing 2 and the display monitor 27 incorporating the optical system of the fundus camera shown in FIG. 1 are mounted, and an operation rod 33 having a photographing switch 32 is provided.

  The examiner operates the operation rod 33 to freely adjust the gantry 31 on the horizontal plane. Since the left and right eye detection means 26 is provided between the base 1 and the gantry 31, the left and right positions of the housing 2 are detected, and any of the left and right eyes of the subject S is detected by any eye E to be examined. On the other hand, it is possible to detect whether observation or photographing is being performed.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a detection method by the left and right eye detection means 26, and a height difference is provided on the upper surface of the base 1, and a low portion 1a and a high portion 1b are provided. When the left and right eye detection means 26 formed of, for example, a micro switch provided on the bottom surface of the gantry 31 is located above the lower portion 1a of the base 1, it is turned off, and when it is located at the higher portion 1b, it is turned on. . That is, by providing the low part 1a on the left side and the high part 1b on the right side, it is possible to detect on / off of the left and right eye detection means 26 and to detect the left and right position of the housing 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the focus state detection unit 21 includes a fundus position detection unit 21a that detects a specific position on the fundus Er and a focus that determines a focus detection range based on a signal from the fundus position detection unit 21a. The detection range determination means 21b is built in. Further, the focus state detection means 21 includes an AF evaluation value storage means 21c for storing the AF evaluation value (value indicating the in-focus state) and the position of the focus lens 11 when the AF evaluation value is acquired. Yes. The fundus position detection unit 21a detects the fundus position where focus detection should be performed from the line-of-sight position of the eye E based on the outputs of the line-of-sight detection unit 24 and the left and right eye detection unit 26.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a fundus image displayed on the display monitor 27, and the positional relationship between the nipple N, the middle and large blood vessels V, and the macula Y does not vary greatly depending on the individual. In general, the positional relationship between the left and right eyes is reversed. Here, the center of the macular portion Y corresponds to the fixation position of the eye E, and the nipple N and the middle and large blood vessel portion V are located at a predetermined angle (± approximately 45 degrees) and a predetermined distance away from the macular portion Y. It can be estimated that That is, taking the middle and large blood vessels V as an example, if the middle and large blood vessels V are determined as the focus detection range around the position A corresponding to the angle of view of 15 degrees in the direction of the angle θ from the center O of the macular portion Y. Good. Further, when the other of the left and right eyes is detected, it can be estimated that the nipple N and the middle / large blood vessel V are located in a direction in which a predetermined direction is horizontally reversed from the macular portion Y and at a predetermined distance.

  The focus detection range determination unit 21b determines a focus detection range, which is a range to be focused, based on the output at a specific position on the fundus Er detected by the fundus position detection unit 21a. In this embodiment, since the examiner corrects (changes) the size of the focus detection range, the focus detection range is corrected by the cursor on the display monitor 27 in the focus detection range determination means 21 as shown in FIG. Correction means 21d is provided. This is used to correct the difference between the range determined as the focus detection range and the specific position of the fundus Er that the examiner actually wants to focus on by estimation.

  The focus state detection unit 21 calculates the AF evaluation value of the focus detection range determined by the focus detection range determination unit 21b, and further stores the position information of the focus lens 11 at this time in the AF evaluation value storage unit 21c.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the AF control method in this embodiment. In this flowchart, autofocus control is performed with the middle and large blood vessels V as the focus detection range. First, before starting autofocus, in step S1, the left and right eye detection means 26 detects which of the left and right eyes of the eye E is being observed. In step S <b> 2, the line-of-sight detection unit 24 obtains the line-of-sight direction of the eye E by detecting the position at which the fixation target presenting unit 15 presents the fixation target.

  Subsequently, in step S3, the start of the AF operation is instructed by an AF start switch (not shown), and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the fundus position detection unit 21a is configured to determine whether the middle-large blood vessel portion V is a standard fundus image stored in a fundus image pattern memory (not shown) based on outputs from the line-of-sight detection unit 24 and the left and right eye detection unit 26. A certain position is transferred to the focus detection range determination means 21b. Then, the focus detection range determination unit 21b determines the focus detection range based on the output from the fundus position detection unit 21a.

  Next, in step S5, the focus state detection means 21 calculates an AF evaluation value in this range. A method for calculating the AF evaluation value will be described later with reference to FIG. In step S6, the calculated AF evaluation value is stored in the AF evaluation value storage unit 21c.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of focus detection by contrast detection. This focus detection method utilizes the fact that the specific high-frequency component of the luminance signal is maximized at the time of focusing, and the focus state detection means detects the high-frequency component of the input luminance signal and detects the AF evaluation value. Used as

  In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the position of the focus lens 11, and the vertical axis indicates the amount of the AF evaluation value. The AF evaluation value is maximized at the in-focus position M2, for example, at the position M1 where the focus is greatly shifted. The AF evaluation value becomes small. In this embodiment, using this contrast detection principle, focus correction is performed in accordance with the observation aberration of the human eye optical system so that the AF evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition. In the following, it is assumed that the AF evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition when the maximum point of the AF evaluation value is detected.

  In step S7, using this contrast detection principle, it is detected whether or not the AF evaluation value stored in step S6 includes the local maximum point at the position M2 shown in FIG. At this time, since the determination in the first step S7 cannot determine the maximum point, the process proceeds to step S8 to drive the focus lens 11 by a predetermined amount. In step S5, the AF evaluation value is calculated again. When the local maximum point is not detected in the AF evaluation value in step S7, the step proceeding to step S8 is repeated. It should be noted that an error may occur if pattern recognition or detection of the maximum point of the AF evaluation value cannot be determined within a predetermined number of cycles.

  Next, when the maximum point of the AF evaluation value is detected in step S7, the process proceeds to step S9, and the focus state detection unit 21 calculates the movement amount of the focus lens 11. The movement amount of the focus lens 11 is the drive amount of the focus lens 11 to the position where the maximum point of the AF evaluation value is detected. Based on the movement amount of the focus lens 11 calculated in step S7, in step S10, the drive control means 22 transmits a signal to the lens drive means 23, and the focus lens 11 is driven to complete autofocus.

  As described above, in this embodiment, based on the movement amount of the focus lens 11 calculated in step S9, the focus lens 11 is driven in step S10 to complete autofocus. However, when steps S2 to S4 are performed after step S10, an AF evaluation value is calculated, compared with an AF evaluation value for which the maximum is first determined, and the difference between these AF evaluation values is less than a certain threshold value In addition, the auto focus may be completed.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of AF evaluation values when the focus detection range is a pattern of the middle / large blood vessel V. As a method for easily detecting a high-frequency component from an image, for example, the luminance evaluation signals of the target pixel and eight pixels adjacent vertically and horizontally are compared, and the AF evaluation value having the largest difference value as the AF evaluation value of the target pixel is used. There is a calculation method. The image G1 is an example of an image obtained by cutting out a part of an image when blood vessels exist in the vertical direction, and has luminance signals of “0” and “1”.

  When this detection method is used for the main image, an AF evaluation value for each pixel is obtained as shown in the image G2. The sum of AF evaluation values of these pixels can be used as the AF evaluation value for the entire image.

  As a simpler and faster method of calculating the AF evaluation value, a method of comparing two adjacent pixels with a luminance signal, “0” if there is no difference, and “1” if there is a difference can be considered. According to this method, the number of pixels to be compared is reduced as compared with the method described above, so that the calculation load can be reduced. However, if a method of comparing the image shown in the image G1 with two pixels adjacent in the vertical direction is used, the output becomes the image G3, and the edge of the target blood vessel cannot be detected.

  On the other hand, when applied to the image G4 in which the blood vessel wall exists in the left-right direction, the output is the image G5, and the same result as the image G2 in which the AF evaluation value is calculated by the method described above. Can be obtained. That is, selecting a direction-dependent detection method as described above can reduce the calculation time, but the target image must be appropriately selected.

  In this way, the difference in luminance between the image G1 and G2 and the adjacent pixel value is mapped as in the images G2 and G5, and the larger this difference is, the larger the luminance difference from the adjacent pixel is. Is the AF evaluation value of the entire image.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the middle and large blood vessel portion V mentioned in the first embodiment shows an arc-shaped running substantially around the macular portion Y, and a portion that becomes a thicker trunk exists near the nipple N. Therefore, the edge of the blood vessel exists in the direction of approximately ± 45 °. Therefore, by adopting a detection method that is selective in that direction, low-load and high-speed autofocus control can be performed without reducing the sensitivity of the AF evaluation value.

  Here, the middle and large blood vessels V of the fundus image are used as the focus detection range. However, it is of course possible to detect the positions of other parts, for example, the nipple N and the macula Y, and perform autofocus on them. Is possible.

  In addition, since the focus state detection unit 21 refers to the luminance value of each pixel when calculating the AF evaluation value, it detects whether or not the luminance value of the determined focus detection range is saturated. May be. Further, when saturation occurs, the focus state detection unit 21 transmits a signal to the illumination light amount control unit 25 and adjusts the light emission amount of the observation light source 3 to realize higher-precision autofocus. be able to.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the operability of autofocus by automatically determining the focus detection range. When the position of a blood vessel or the like that is a specific part on the fundus is automatically detected, the focus detection range can be adjusted to a desired part such as a blood vessel. In addition, when contrast detection is performed on a fundus image captured by the fundus imaging unit, it is possible to realize accurate autofocus that is not affected by the aberration of the eye optical system to be examined.

  In Example 1, autofocus was performed by detecting one specific position on the fundus Er. However, in the second embodiment, before starting autofocus, the examiner selects which part on the fundus Er to set the focus detection range, and based on the selection, determines the focus detection range and performs autofocus. Like to do.

  The examiner selects a region to be focused in advance on the display monitor 27 using the cursor with the region selecting means according to the case. Further, based on the outputs of the line-of-sight detection means 24 and the left and right eye detection means 26, the fundus position detection means 21a of the focus state detection means 21 detects the position of the selected fundus region and delivers it to the focus detection range determination means 21b. The fundus position detection unit 21a passes the focus detection range to the focus state detection unit 21, and the focus state detection unit 21 calculates an AF evaluation value of the focus detection range. This operation and subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Although the examiner selected one fundus region, it is also possible to select a plurality of regions. In this case, an AF evaluation value may be calculated for a plurality of parts, and the sum value may be used as a comprehensive evaluation value.
By detecting the maximum value of the comprehensive evaluation value, it is possible to obtain an image that is focused on average for a plurality of portions selected by the examiner.

  As a result, a fundus image focused on a region desired by the examiner can be taken, and the examiner can obtain a fundus image having a high diagnostic value.

  In the second embodiment, the examiner selects the focus detection range before the start of autofocus. However, in this third embodiment, the examiner detects focus from a plurality of fundus sites displayed on the display monitor 27. Select a range and perform auto focus. In the third embodiment, a plurality of specific positions of the fundus Er is detected and delivered to the focus detection range determination unit 21b.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the focus detection range determination unit 21b includes a focus detection range correction unit 21d and a focus detection range selection unit 21e. The focus detection range display unit 27a of the display monitor 27 presents specific positions on the plurality of fundus Er detected by the fundus position detection unit 21a to the examiner. The examiner selects one of the focus detection ranges of the part to be set by using the focus detection range selection means 21e by the cursor.

  Note that the examiner does not select one fundus region, but can select a plurality of regions as in the second embodiment. The specific position on the selected fundus Er is transferred to the focus detection range determination unit 21b. Further, this operation and the shift operation are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In Examples 2 and 3, the AF evaluation values of one or a plurality of focus detection ranges selected by the examiner were calculated from the fundus image portions where a plurality of patterns were recognized. However, in the fourth embodiment, AF evaluation values are calculated and evaluated for all of a plurality of specific positions detected by the fundus Er, and autofocus is performed.

For a specific position on the fundus Er detected by the fundus position detection unit 21a having a plurality of site patterns, the focus state detection unit 21 calculates an AF evaluation value for each site.
The focus state detection unit 21 uses the sum of these values as a total evaluation value, and detects the local maximum value of the total evaluation value, thereby obtaining an image that is focused on average at a plurality of pattern-recognized portions.

  In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the focus detection range narrowing means 21f is provided in the focus detection range determination means 21b. As a result, the focus detection range narrowing means 21f automatically determines one part with the highest AF evaluation value as the focus detection range for the specific position of the fundus detected by the fundus position detection means 21a, and the focus state detection means Hand over to 21.

  As a result, a fundus image in a good focus state can be automatically taken, so that the examiner can operate a fundus camera with high AF operability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Case 11 Focus lens 14 Fundus imaging means 15 Fixation target presentation means 21 Focus state detection means 21a Fundus position detection means 21b Focus detection range determination means 21c AF evaluation value storage means 21d Focus detection range correction means 21e Focus detection Range selection means 21f Focus detection range narrowing means 23 Lens drive means 24 Gaze detection means 26 Left and right eye detection means 27 Display monitor 27a Focus detection range display section

Claims (18)

A determination unit that automatically determines a range including the blood vessel part in the fundus of the eye to be examined as a focus detection range based on the position of the blood vessel part in the fundus image of the eye to be examined;
While the focusing lens is moved along the optical path, the in-focus state of the focusing lens is indicated based on luminance signals in the determined focus detection range at a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens in the optical path. An acquisition means for acquiring a value;
Control means for moving the focusing lens along the optical path to a position where a value indicating the in-focus state satisfies a predetermined condition;
An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus comprising: The fundus image of the eye to be examined further includes position detection means for detecting a position in a predetermined direction and a predetermined distance from the macular portion toward the nipple as a position of the blood vessel portion,
The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit automatically determines the focus detection range based on the detected position of the blood vessel part. A gantry provided with an optical unit including the focusing lens and movable with respect to a base;
Left and right eye detection means for detecting whether the eye to be examined is a left or right eye according to the position of the gantry with respect to the base;
A fixation target presenting means for presenting a fixation target to the eye to be examined; and
When one of the left and right eyes is detected from a macular portion that is a fixation position of the eye to be examined corresponding to the presented fixation target in the fundus image of the eye to be examined, the position detection unit The position of the predetermined direction and the predetermined distance on the side of the part, and when the other of the left and right eyes is detected, the direction in which the predetermined direction is reversed left and right and the position of the predetermined distance are The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position is detected as a position of the eye. The position of the blood vessel part is the position of the middle and large blood vessel part,
The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined direction is a direction of ± approximately 45 degrees. Having imaging means for imaging the fundus of the eye to be examined;
The said acquisition means acquires the brightness | luminance difference with the adjacent pixel in the said imaging means as a value which shows the said focus state in the determined focus detection range. An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 1.   The acquisition means acquires, in the determined focus detection range, a luminance difference with respect to an adjacent pixel in the imaging means as a value indicating the focus state based on a direction of a blood vessel part in the fundus image. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 5.   The ophthalmologic photographing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising display control means for causing the display means to display a display form indicating the focus detection range in a state corresponding to the fundus image. apparatus.   The control means adjusts the light emission amount of the light source based on the luminance signal of the focus detection range, and moves the focusing lens to the optical path based on the luminance signal of the focus detection range based on the adjusted light amount. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus is moved along. An instruction means for giving an instruction to change the size of the focus detection range;
The said control means moves the said focusing lens along the said optical path based on the luminance signal of the focus detection range of the changed magnitude | size, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus described in 1.   The ophthalmologic imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a value indicating the focus state based on a frequency component of a luminance signal in the focus detection range. apparatus. Automatically determining, as a focus detection range, a range including a blood vessel portion in the fundus of the subject eye based on the position of the blood vessel portion in the fundus image of the subject eye;
While the focusing lens is moved along the optical path, the in-focus state of the focusing lens is indicated based on luminance signals in the determined focus detection range at a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens in the optical path. Obtaining a value;
Moving the focusing lens along the optical path to a position where a value indicating the in-focus state satisfies a predetermined condition;
A control method for an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus, comprising: In the fundus image of the eye to be examined, further comprising a step of detecting a position in a predetermined direction and a predetermined distance from the macula to the nipple portion as the position of the blood vessel part,
12. The method of controlling an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in the determining step, the focus detection range is automatically determined based on the detected position of the blood vessel part. The position of the blood vessel part is the position of the middle and large blood vessel part,
13. The method for controlling an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined direction is a direction of ± about 45 degrees.   In the obtaining step, in the determined focus detection range, based on a direction of a blood vessel part in the fundus image, a luminance difference with respect to an adjacent pixel in an imaging unit that images the fundus of the eye to be examined is calculated. The method for controlling an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the method is acquired as a value indicating a state.   The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising a step of displaying a display form indicating the focus detection range on a display unit in a state corresponding to the fundus image. Control method.   The ophthalmologic according to claim 11, wherein in the obtaining step, a value indicating the in-focus state is obtained based on a frequency component of a luminance signal in the focus detection range. Control method of photographing apparatus. A determination unit that automatically determines a range including the blood vessel part in the fundus of the eye to be examined as a focus detection range based on the position of the blood vessel part in the fundus image of the eye to be examined;
While the focusing lens is moved along the optical path, the in-focus state of the focusing lens is indicated based on luminance signals in the determined focus detection range at a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens in the optical path. An acquisition means for acquiring a value;
An in-focus state detecting device comprising: Automatically determining, as a focus detection range, a range including a blood vessel portion in the fundus of the subject eye based on the position of the blood vessel portion in the fundus image of the subject eye;
While the focusing lens is moved along the optical path, the in-focus state of the focusing lens is indicated based on luminance signals in the determined focus detection range at a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens in the optical path. Obtaining a value;
An in-focus state detection method comprising:

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