A portable multifunctional ophthalmic device for remote self-examination of the eye

• Published in: Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing Vol. 17; no. 4; p. JAMDSM0047
• Main Authors: SCHWINN, Philip, LAHA, Avinash, MELLES, Gerrit, TALKE, Frank E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers 01.01.2023; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Algorithms; Anterior eye chamber; Contact pressure; Cornea; Evaluation; Eye diseases; Intraocular pressure; Machine learning; Portable equipment; Self-examination; Teleophthalmology; Visual acuity
• ISSN: 1881-3054; 1881-3054
• DOI: 10.1299/jamdsm.2023jamdsm0047

This paper presents the design of a new portable ophthalmic device, the so-called 3-in-1 device, that allows patients to self-examine their eyes. The device combines the three most essential ophthalmic examinations: slit lamp biomicroscopy to examine the anterior segment of the eye, visual acuity measurement to determine the quality of vision, and non-contact tonometry to assess the intraocular pressure of the eye. The aim of the device is to enable the patient to perform these standard examinations in the comfort of his home and to send the results via the internet to the ophthalmologist for further evaluation. Within the scope of this work, the first prototype of the 3-in-1 device was designed and manufactured. The slit lamp examination procedure can be recorded by a video camera and the footage can be used by an ophthalmologist to check for abnormalities in the anterior chamber of the eye. The visual acuity screener has been designed to be performed under the same conditions as a conventional visual acuity examination by an ophthalmologist. For this function an optical lens system was developed which projects the optotypes to a test distance of 6m. The non-contact tonometer evaluates the degree of deformation of the patient's cornea using machine learning algorithms to draw conclusions about the intraocular pressure. Ultimately, the goal of the device is to improve accessibility to ophthalmic care and the frequency with which examinations are performed in order to detect eye diseases and abnormalities earlier.