JPH01285240A - Apparatus and method for self-examination of eye and face region therearound - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable detailed self-checking of eyes and its surrounding facial regions and to make the device easily to carry by positioning a lens so that a use can obtain detailed images of the examining areas, equipping with an accommodating body with a surface extending over the surface of the lens and by minimizing a damage of the reflected direct rays of the sun entering directly into eyes. CONSTITUTION: A lens system 10 has a reflecting concave 11 or a reflecting surface 12 of other type, e.g. a convex surface 12. Precise transillumination of the image of an eye 5 is achieved by varying the positions of the eye 5 and the lens system 10. For example, an optimum distance for self-checking of eyes is determined by the radius of curvature of the concave 11. Reflecting surfaces 11, 12 of a self-checking device 1 allow a user to observe detailed shapes of the eye itself by looking into the lens system 10 with the eye 5. The device 1 has a shield 23 which prevents the direct rays of the sun from reflecting towards the region of the eye 5 by shining on the reflecting surfaces 11, 12 accidentably. An independent light source 32 emits the light to reach the eye region and the extension wall part 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to optical devices, and more particularly to optical devices for detailed self-analysis of the eyes and surrounding facial areas.

PRIOR ART AND PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION The use of mirrors to examine the eyes and surrounding areas is known in the prior art. However, it has been found that the use of an ordinary mirror for such examinations is not suitable for detailed examinations of the eyes, particularly regarding the use of contact lenses.

Contact lens wearers should visually check for any air bubbles, dirt particles, eyelashes, etc. that may cause discomfort, as well as folds or tears in soft contact lenses or cracks in hard contact lenses. or to visually check for defects or to adjust the position of this lens, which requires that a certain part of the so-called two-point contact lens is always located above the lower part of the cornea. It is necessary to assess the accuracy of positioning on the cornea. Such activities typically require more precise examination of the eye than would be possible through the use of a regular mirror.

It is also known in the prior art to use concave lenses for examination of the entire face. Such lenses are typically found in the cosmetic field, where they are used in the application of cosmetics and other activities that require a somewhat more detailed visible image of the facial area than can be obtained through the use of a mirror. You can use it. However, typically such concave lenses have not been sufficient to provide detailed examination of specific areas, such as the eye area. Additionally, such concave lenses are typically quite large and therefore cannot be conveniently carried. Further, the focal length of the lens described above does not allow for detailed eye examination.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an optical device that is easy to carry and that can be used to perform a detailed self-examination of the eye area or the surrounding facial area. Also,
It would be desirable to provide a self-examination device that does not rely on ambient light, yet can protect direct sunlight from being accidentally concentrated on the eyes or on the face and other parts of the body.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for closely examining the eyes and surrounding facial areas.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a device for the detailed examination of the eye area, which has a lens system for the detailed examination of the visual field.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for detailed examination of the facial area and the vicinity of the eyes, provided with a self-contained illumination source.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for detailed self-examination of the vicinity of the eyes, which can prevent accidental exposure to direct sunlight.

[Means to solve the problem]

According to the present invention, the above and other objects of the present invention are achieved as follows. A housing is provided that contains a lens that can be positioned by a user to obtain a detailed image of the area under examination. The housing also has a surface that extends beyond the surface of the lens, thereby minimizing the risk of direct sunlight being reflected into the eye. The enclosure also contains a lamp and battery arrangement and a switch for turning on and off the lamp illuminating the area under examination.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 5, the basic optical configuration of the self-testing device of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is shown in use. Lens system 10 is applied to eye 5. This lens system IO has a reflective concave surface 11 or any other type of reflective surface 12, for example a convex surface 12 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. By each change in the position of the eye 5 and the lens system 10, precise perspective viewing of the image of the eye 5 can be achieved. For example, it is clear that the radius of curvature of the concave surface 11 determines the optimal viewing distance of the eye for self-examination of the eye. Other reflective convex lens surfaces 12 or the like may be used, and the same results as the concave surface 11 described above can be obtained.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, a self-testing device 1 of the present invention having an optical device and associated devices is shown in perspective view. The device includes a housing 20,
The housing 20 has an outer surface 22 and a switch 21 positioned on the outer surface 22. Concave surface 11 (see Figure 2) or other reflective lens surface 12 (see Figure 6)
is positioned such that the inner wall portion 23 having a high reflectance extends beyond the lens system.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, in which lens system 10 is shown as a reflective concave surface. Similarly, FIG. 7 shows a cross-section along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, in which lens system 10 is shown as a reflective convex lens surface 12. Furthermore, FIGS. 3 and 7
The figure shows that the wall portion 23 of the housing 20 extends well beyond the lens system 10. FIGS. 3 and 7 also show that the lens system 10 is mounted on the transparent member 30, and the light bulb 32 is positioned beyond the lens system 10 in the highly reflective chamber 31. There is. Inside the housing behind the reflection chamber 31 there are provided batteries 33 and electrical couplings 28 and springs 29 for mounting these batteries 33 and for connecting the batteries 33 and the bulb 32 with the switch 21.

The switch 21 allows the light bulb 32 to be turned on as needed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of the self-testing device 1 is shown. The outer surface of the housing is indicated at 22 and the flesh of the extended region of the housing is indicated at 23, with the lens 10 and transparent member 30 being positioned within the extended portion 23.

Also shown is a switch 21 for turning on a light bulb 32.

The operation of the preferred embodiment will be explained below.

The self-inspection device 1 has a reflective surface 11.12 of the lens system (preferably concave, but other reflective dilatations can be used as mentioned above), which allows
By looking into the lens system 10 with the eye 5 it is possible to see the very detailed morphology of the eye itself. The device 1 has a shield 23 which prevents direct sunlight from accidentally hitting the reflective surface 11.12 and being reflected towards the area of the eye 5, thereby damaging the eye 5 as much as possible. The self-inspection device 1 also has an independent light source (for example, a light bulb 32), so that when the ambient brightness is low, the user cannot see the image in low illumination. The bulb 32 is adapted to emit light that exits the surface 31 of the lamp chamber and passes forward through the transparent member 30 to reach the eye area as well as the extended wall portion 23. The extended wall portion 23 of the housing 20 is highly reflective so as to project most of the light forward into the area of the eye 5.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that reflective surfaces 11.12 are positioned outside the lens system of the preferred embodiment. However, the reflective surfaces 11 , 12 can also be positioned elsewhere in the lens system 10 .

By using the self-testing device 1 described above, a person can fit contact lenses. Due to the nature of contact lenses, as well as their small size, the present invention provides an improved method for handling such contact lenses.

The self-examination device 1 is also applicable to ophthalmology and related activities where patients may be required to perform self-examinations. This device 1 allows the user to see in detail the features of the cornea and mucous membranes, anterior chamber, iris and pupil, crystalline lens and surrounding tissues. Also, various parts of the eyelid and related structures can be examined. To name still other applications, it is possible to see the location of eye wounds caused by foreign bodies, inflammatory or infectious diseases of the eye and surrounding tissues, and evolutionary and progressive diseases of the lens, e.g. cataracts. Changes related to can be examined. It may also find many useful applications in identifying changes in treatment modalities and monitoring them as they affect the eye and surrounding tissues. Patients can monitor changes caused by treatment, including surgical treatment of various diseases and tumor conditions of the eye. This device allows patients to see the results of plastic surgery,
Helps see details of other changes near the eye, such as regenerative procedures.

Also, according to the invention, the eyelid and the surrounding area can be precisely inspected, and this inspection can be used to correctly apply make-up and similar modalities on said surrounding area, or to apply makeup after washing the area. can be completely removed.

Thus, the self-inspection device 1 is of particular importance for confirming that irritating makeup residues are present in the eye contact area. Furthermore, the self-inspection device 1 can check the eyebrow ink in the eyelid area, and allow a person to apply the eyebrow ink treatment to the area around the eyes 5.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Probably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the use of the lens for detailed inspection; Figure 2
3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 of the eye area inspection device according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a facial self-examination device according to the invention. Front view of inspection device;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the apparatus of the invention in use; FIG. 6 is a partially cut away perspective view showing the elements of the invention and the convex lens reflective surface;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6 showing the convex lens reflective surface structure of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Self-inspection device 5... Eye 10... Lens system 11... Reflective concave surface 12... Reflective convex surface 2o... Housing 21... Switch 3o... Transparent member 31... Reflection chamber 32...Light bulb 33...Battery procedure amendment (method)

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A device for self-inspecting the eyes and surrounding facial area of a user, comprising: (a) housing means surrounding said device, said housing means having a hooded front portion with a reflective inner wall portion; (b) lens means for reflecting an image of the eye and surrounding facial area of said use, said lens means being supported within said housing means, said hooded front portion adapted to reflect said image of said eye and surrounding facial area; (c) said lens means and said lens means extending beyond the location of said means and adapted to shield said user's eyes and surrounding facial area from external light when said device is in use; a transparent member for supporting the housing means and for transmitting light from an area overlying and surrounding the lens means; (d) light source means for illuminating the user's eyes and surrounding facial area; e) reflection chamber means for forwardly reflecting light from said light source means, said light being forwardly reflected through said transparent member and partially into said user's eyes and surrounding facial area. (f) a power source for energizing the light source means; (g) switch means for turning on and off said light source means, said switch means being provided on an outer surface portion of said housing means. 2. A self-inspection device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said lens means has a front reflective surface which is formed as a substantially concave surface. 3. A self-inspection device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said lens means has a rear reflective surface formed as a substantially convex surface. 4. A method of self-examining the eyes and surrounding facial area of a user, comprising: (a) positioning a self-examination device in close proximity to the user's eyes and surrounding facial area, the self-examination device having a housing; the housing further comprises light source means for illuminating the user's eyes and surrounding facial area, a light reflecting chamber, transparent member means for transmitting light from the reflecting chamber, and reflecting an image. (b) energizing said light source means; and (c) illuminating said light reflecting chamber. (d) transmitting light forwardly from said light reflecting chamber through said transparent member means to said reflective inner wall of said hooded portion; (e) said transmission reaching said reflective inner wall of said hooded portion; using light to illuminate the user's eyes and surrounding facial area; (f) utilizing the hooded portion to shield external light from the user's eyes and surrounding facial area; (g) (h) projecting an image of the selected inspection area onto the lens means; (i) reflecting the projected image from the lens means; (j) ) A method characterized by inspecting by viewing the reflected image of the user's eyes and surrounding facial area. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said lens means has a front reflective surface which is substantially concave. 6. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that said lens means has a rear reflective surface which is substantially convexly shaped.