Systems and methods for monitoring eye health

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring eye health. The systems and methods monitor eye health by measuring scleral strain by way of an implantable monitor, a wearable monitor configured in eyeglasses, or an external monitor using a portable tablet computing device. Certain embodiments of the strain monitor may be utilized to measure the strain on any surface to which it is attached, including, but not limited to, the skin of a patient or the surface of a structure such as a building or a bridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of monitoring eye health, the method comprising measuring scleral strain of a patient by:
 a) providing a measurement system comprising:
 i) a portable tablet computing device having a camera and optical elements attached to the camera; 
 ii) an adjustable comfort pad abutting the tablet and surrounding the optical elements; 
   b) positioning the measurement system adjacent to an eye of the patient so that the camera is positioned in line with the eye;   c) determining a first intraocular pressure of the eye;   d) capturing at least one first image of the eye at the first intraocular pressure;   e) varying the intraocular pressure of the eye being monitored;   f) determining a second intraocular pressure of the eye; and   g) capturing at least one second image of the eye at the second intraocular pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical elements include a Macro lens and/or a light source. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable comfort pad comprises an inflatable pad configured to inflate and deflate to vary the distance between the tablet and the patient's eye. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable comfort pad includes a movable cam contained within to vary the distance between the tablet and the patient's eye. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising varying the distance between the camera and the patient's eye while capturing the images. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein sharpness of focus is used to select the images to be captured for processing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sharpness of focus is used to determine a working distance between the measurement system and the eye of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a tonometer to collect the intraocular pressure measurement. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tonometer is a Goldmann applanation tonometer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intraocular pressure is varied by at least one method selected from the group consisting of: changing the patient's body position, providing caffeine to the patient, providing glaucoma medication to the patient, and having the patient perform exercise. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step h) comparing the at least one first image and the at least one second image to measure a level of scleral strain between the first intraocular pressure and the second intraocular pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portable tablet computing device further includes a screen for viewing the images. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a step of providing an overlay or split screen view of a live video image and a previously captured image. 
     
     
         14 . A measurement system for monitoring eye health comprising:
 a) a portable tablet computing device having a camera;   b) optical elements attached to the camera; and   c) an adjustable comfort pad abutting the tablet and surrounding the optical elements.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the optical elements include a Macro lens and/or a light source. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustable comfort pad comprises an inflatable pad capable of being inflated and deflated. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustable comfort pad surrounds a movable cam. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the portable table computing device further includes a screen capable of displaying images produced by the camera.