Method and apparatus improving vision and the resolution of retinal images

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for improving vision and the resolution of retinal images is described in which a point source produced on the retina of a living eye by a laser beam is reflected from the retina and received at a lenslet array of a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor such that each of the lenslets in the lenslet array forms an aerial image of the retinal point source on a CCD camera located adjacent to the lenslet array. The output signal from the CCD camera is acquired by a computer which processes the signal and produces a correction signal which may be used to control a compensating optical or wavefront compensation device such as a deformable mirror. It may also be used to fabricate a contact lens or intraocular lens, or to guide a surgical procedure to correct the aberrations of the eye. Any of these methods could correct aberrations beyond defocus and astigmatism, allowing improved vision and improved imaging of the inside of the eye.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for determining the wave aberrations of the living eye using a wavefront sensor which receives a reflected point source image of the retina of said eye, comprising the steps of:
 providing optics for receiving said reflected point source image of said retina, said optics being configured such that they are capable of providing resolution for at least fifth order aberrations;   receiving aerial images of the retinal point source formed by said optics and generating signals representative thereof; and   converting said signals to digital signals representative of said retinal point source aerial images, and calculating wave aberrations of said eye so as to include at least fifth order modes, using said representative digital signals.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of polarizing said reflected point source image to remove stray light reflected from the cornea of said living eye prior to said plurality of lenslets receiving said reflected point source image. 
     
     
         17 . A method for determining the wave aberrations of the living eye using a wavefront sensor which receives a reflected point source image of the retina of said eye, comprising the steps of:
 providing optics for receiving said reflected point source image of said retina, said optics being configured such that they are capable of providing resolution for at least third order aberrations;   receiving aerial images of the retinal point source formed by said optics and generating signals representative thereof;   converting said signals to digital signals representative of said retinal point source aerial images, and   calculating wave aberrations of said eye so as to include at least third order modes, using said representative digital signals; and adjusting a compensating optical device to provide wavefront compensation for said wave aberrations of said living eye using said calculated at least third order wave aberrations of said living eye.   
     
     
         18 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for generating high resolution images of the retina of the living eye, comprising the steps of:
 generating a reflected point source image of the retina of said living eye;   receiving said reflected point source image and for converting said point source image to corresponding digital signals;   calculating said at least third order wave aberrations using said digital signals;   illuminating said living eye for producing a retinal image; and   reflecting said retinal image on a compensating optical device, said compensating optical device being adjusted such that wavefront compensation for said wave aberrations is provided for said living eye.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further including the step of polarizing said reflected point source image to remove stray light reflected from the cornea of said living eye prior to receiving said reflected point source image. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)