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 . A wavefront sensor for determining the wave aberrations of the living eye, said wavefront sensor receiving a reflected point source image of the retina of said eye, comprising:
 optics for receiving said reflected point source image of said retina and for creating aerial images of the retinal point source; said optics being configured such that they are capable of providing resolution for at least fifth order aberrations;   a camera located adjacent to said optics for viewing said aerial images of the retinal point source formed on said optics; and   a digital data processor connected to receive video output signals from said camera and for converting said video output signals to digital signals representative of said retinal point source aerial images, said digital data processor further calculating the wave aberrations of said eye so as to include at least fifth order modes, using said representative digital signals.   
     
     
         2 . The wavefront sensor of  claim 1 , further including a polarizer through which said reflected point source image of said retina passes prior to being received by said plurality of lenslets. 
     
     
         3 . The wavefront sensor of  claim 1 , further including a compensating optical device connected to said digital data processor, such that, under control of said digital data processor, said compensating optical device is adjusted for providing wavefront compensation for said wave aberrations of said eye. 
     
     
         4 . The wavefront sensor of  claim 3 , further including a polarizer filter through which said reflected point source image of said retina passes prior to being received by said plurality of lenslets. 
     
     
         5 . The wavefront sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said lenslet array is capable of providing resolution of up to at least tenth order wave aberrations. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The wavefront sensor of  claim 1 , further including at least one of a contact and intraocular lens supply system connected to receive the calculated wave aberrations from said digital data processor for supplying at least one contact or intraocular lens to provide wavefront compensation for said wave aberrations of said living eye. 
     
     
         8 . The wavefront sensor of  claim 1 , further including surgical equipment connected to receive the calculated wave aberrations from said digital data processor for use in performing surgery on said living eye to provide wavefront compensation for said wave aberrations of said living eye. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said compensating optical device is one of a deformable mirror, liquid crystal device, micro-machined mirror and bimorph mirror. 
     
     
         10 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An optical instrument which incorporates a wavefront sensor for determining the wave aberrations of the living eye, said wavefront sensor receiving a reflected point source image of the retina of said eye, comprising:
 optics for receiving said reflected point source image of said retina and for creating aerial images of the retinal point source; said optics being configured such that they are capable of providing resolution for at least fifth order aberrations;   a camera located adjacent to said optics for viewing said aerial images of the retinal point source formed on said optics; and   a digital data processor connected to receive video output signals from said camera and for converting said video output signals to digital signals representative of said retinal point source aerial images, said digital data processor further calculating the wave aberrations of said eye so as to include at least third order modes, using said representative digital signals, such that improved vision results when said living eye utilizes said optical instrument.   
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus for generating high resolution images of the retina of the living eye, comprising:
 a wavefront sensor for determining at least a third order wave aberration of said living eye and for generating a correction signal representative thereof;   a compensating optical device for reflecting an image of said retina and for receiving said correction signal, said compensating optical device being adjusted using said correction signal such that wavefront compensation for said at least third order wave aberration is provided for said living eye; and   a camera for providing said high resolution image of said retina after its reflection by said compensating optical device.