An ophthalmologic apparatus is provided, which is capable of more securely supporting left and right cheekbone portions of a subject in accordance with the size and shape of the subject's face allowing the subject to respond orally where the positions of the subject's eyes are fixed. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes a forehead contact portion coming into contact with the forehead of the subject, and a cheek contact portion coming into contact with the cheeks of the subject. The cheek contact portion includes a first cheek-contact body that supports one of the cheeks of the subject, a second cheek-contact body that supports the other one of the cheeks of the subject, and an opening/closing mechanism portion that opens and closes in a horizontal direction the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body in a direction of coming close to each other and a direction of separating from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

When an examiner such as a doctor examines the eyes of a subject by using an ophthalmologic apparatus, the examiner needs to determine the position of the head or face of the subject to fix the positions of the eyes of the subject with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214485 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-194547, for example, each disclose a technique for fixing the head of a subject.

A head fixing device for an ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214485 includes a forehead support portion coming into contact with the forehead of a subject to support the same, and cheekbone support portions for supporting the weight of the head of the subject by cheekbone portions. The forehead support portion and the cheekbone support portions are connected and fixed to left and right columns. Hence, the positions of the cheekbone support portions are fixed at the respective columns.

The ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-194547 includes a forehead pad provided above an opening of a casing, and abutting members provided below the opening of the casing. The forehead pad is pressed by the forehead of a subject and moves in a direction of an optical path of the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject. The abutting members are pressed by regions near the cheekbones and move in the direction of the optical path of the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject. The forehead pad and the abutting members push back the face of the subject, move in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject, and fix the face of the subject by keeping the balance between action and reaction.

Incidentally, in the head fixing device for an ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214485, the forehead of the subject is supported by the forehead support portion, and the cheekbone portions of the subject are supported by the cheekbone support portions. Moreover, in the ophthalmologic apparatus disposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-194547, the forehead of the subject is supported by the forehead pad, and the regions near the cheekbones of the subject are supported by the abutting members. More specifically, the ophthalmologic apparatuses disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214485 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-194547 each do not include a chin rest. For this reason, the chin of the subject is not supported. Therefore, when the subject needs to orally respond to questions and the like of the examiner during, for example, a subjective examination, the subject can orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed to the ophthalmologic apparatus.

However, as descried above, the cheekbone support portions disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214485 are fixed to the columns. Also, the positions of and the distance between the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject vary from subject to subject. Therefore, a problem with the ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214485 is that it is difficult to more securely support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject and to allow the subject to be able to orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-194547, although the abutting members move in the direction of the optical path of the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject, the abutting members cannot move in the horizontal direction (i.e., lateral direction) and the up-down direction with respect to the face of the subject. Therefore, a problem with the ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-194547 is that it is difficult to more securely support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject and to allow the subject to be able to orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been contrived to solve the foregoing problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of more securely supporting the left and right cheekbone portions of a subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject so that the subject can respond orally while having the positions of the eyes of the subject fixed.

The foregoing problems can be solved by an ophthalmologic apparatus for examining an eye of a subject, the apparatus including: a forehead contact portion coming into contact with a forehead of the subject; and a cheek contact portion coming into contact with cheeks of the subject, wherein the cheek contact portion has a first cheek-contact body that supports one of the cheeks of the subject, a second cheek-contact body that supports the other one of the cheeks of the subject, and an opening/closing mechanism portion that opens and closes in a horizontal direction the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body in a direction of coming close to each other and a direction of separating from each other.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the head or the face of the subject is supported in a three-point support form by the forehead contact portion which is a first support section, the first cheek-contact body which is a second support section, and the second cheek-contact body which is a third support section. The first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion in the direction of coming close to each other and the direction of separating from each other in the horizontal direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Therefore, the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed so as not to move with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus. Moreover, the head or the face of the subject is stably supported comfortably without restraining the chin. The ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, therefore, can more securely support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject in such a manner that the subject can orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the first cheek-contact body have at a tip thereof a first contact member, the first contact member having a spherical shape and coming into contact with the one of the cheeks, and that the second cheek-contact body have at a tip thereof a second contact member, the second contact member having a spherical shape and coming into contact with the other one of the cheeks.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the first contact member of the first cheek-contact body and the second contact member of the second cheek-contact body are each in a spherical shape, and therefore can support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject more securely in accordance with the positions and shapes of the cheekbone portions of the subject. Furthermore, since the first contact member and the second contact member are each in a spherical shape, even when the first contact member comes into direct contact with the one of the cheeks of the subject and the second contact member comes into direct contact with the other one of the cheeks of the subject, the head or face of the subject can be supported without discomfort.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the opening/closing mechanism portion can open and close the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body at an angle equal on left and right sides in the horizontal direction with respect to a centerline in a vertical direction.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion at an angle equal on left and right sides in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can support the respective cheeks more stably in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at a same height position with respect to each other in the vertical direction.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at the same height position with respect to each other in the vertical direction of the ophthalmologic apparatus. Therefore, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be positioned on the respective cheeks while moving in the vertical direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject, thereby supporting the respective cheeks more stably.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body by rotating the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body in the vertical direction about an axis extending in the horizontal direction as a center, so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at a same height position with respect to each other.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body by rotating the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body in the vertical direction of the ophthalmologic apparatus about the axis extending in the horizontal direction as a center so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at the same height position with respect to each other. Thus, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be positioned on the respective cheeks while rotating in the vertical direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject, thereby supporting the respective cheeks more stably.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the ophthalmologic apparatus be a subjective examination apparatus.

In conducting a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the chin and the mouth of the subject from being restrained, while stably and securely determining the positions of the eyes with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Therefore, in order to carry out a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject, the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention can support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject more securely in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject, so that the subject can respond orally in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the subjective examination apparatus be attached to a pedestal in a state of being suspended.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, even in a state in which the subjective examination apparatus is suspended on the pedestal, in order to perform a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject, the chin and the mouth of the subject can be prevented from being restrained, while having the positions of the eyes determined stably and securely with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Thus, in order to perform a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject using the suspended subjective examination apparatus, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject more securely in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject in such a manner that the subject can respond orally in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the subjective examination apparatus be an objective/subjective examination apparatus for performing subjective refraction optometry and objective refraction optometry.

In conducting subjective refraction optometry and objective refraction optometry, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can determine the positions of the eyes of the subject with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus stably and securely in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Since the chin and the mouth of the subject are not restrained, the subject can respond orally. Consequently, objective refraction optometry and subjective refraction optometry can be executed smoothly.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the cheek contact portion be attached to a base portion by a support member in a detachable manner, and that a schematic eye holder for mounting a schematic eye for calibration can be attached to the base portion in place of the support member.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the cheek contact portion is attached to the base portion by the support member in a detachable manner. Also, the schematic eye holder for mounting the schematic eye can be attached to the base portion in place of the support member supporting the cheek contact portion. Therefore, optical calibration (correction) of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can reliably executed.

The present invention can provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of more securely supporting the left and right cheekbone portions of a subject in accordance with the shape of the face of the subject so that the subject can respond orally in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are now described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings.

Note that, since the embodiments described below are favorable specific examples of the present invention, various technically favorable limits are applied thereto; however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless the following description specifically states that the present invention is limited. Further, in each drawing, identical components are designated the same reference numerals; thus, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted accordingly.

First Embodiment

Overview of an Example of an Ophthalmologic Apparatus according to an Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIG.1is a front view showing a binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus which is an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2is a perspective view showing the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus shown inFIG.1.

Note thatFIG.2omits the illustration of a part of a pedestal.

A binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1shown inFIGS.1and2include an examination apparatus main body2and a pedestal3. The binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1according to the present embodiment is an example of the “ophthalmologic apparatus” of the present invention. The examination apparatus main body2is supported on the pedestal3. The pedestal3has a flat plate-like base portion4placed on the floor, column portions5,6, and a table7. The examination apparatus main body2is provided in a suspended manner at an upper end portion of the column portion5. It is preferred that the examination apparatus main body2be fixed so as to be detachable with respect to the column portion5. In the present specification, a lateral direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1is indicated as an X direction, an up-down direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1(i.e., vertical direction) is indicated as a Y direction, and a front-back direction (depth direction) of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1is indicated as a Z direction.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the examination apparatus main body2of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1has a first eyepiece portion11, a second eyepiece portion12, a main body base portion13, and a head fixing device20. The first eyepiece portion11is provided to the right of the head fixing device20as viewed from a subject (as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the page ofFIG.1), to show a visual target and the like to the left eye of the subject and acquire information on the characteristics of the right eye of the subject. The second eyepiece portion12is provided to the left of the head fixing device20as viewed from the subject (as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the page ofFIG.1), to show a visual target and the like to the left eye of the subject and acquire information on the characteristics of the right eye of the subject. The first eyepiece portion11, the second eyepiece portion12, and the main body base portion13are each provided with an examination optical system. The binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1has a simultaneous objective refraction measurement function for both eyes of the subject, and a simultaneous subjective refraction measurement function for both eyes of the subject. The first eyepiece portion11and the second eyepiece portion12are provided below the main body base portion13. A space portion14is provided between the first eyepiece portion11and the second eyepiece portion12. The main body base portion13is provided with a depressed curved portion13H in order to avoid a part of the head of the subject that is above the forehead of the subject.

The objective refraction examination described herein means an examination that ignores senses of the subject. According to the objective refraction examination, examination items such as myopia and hyperopia can be tested even on infants and unconscious subjects. The subjective refraction examination means an examination that focuses on senses of the subject. Since the subjective refraction examination requires the subject to respond orally, it is difficult to test the examination items such as myopia and hyperopia on infants and unconscious subjects. In the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1, the objective refraction examination is performed on both eyes of the subject simultaneously, and upon completion of the objective refraction examination, the interactive subjective refraction examination between an examiner such as a doctor and an oral response of the subject is performed based on the objective refraction examination.

Note that examples of a case where the subject is required to respond during an eye exam, that is, a case where the subject has no choice but responding orally, include examinations requiring subjective responses (subjective refraction examination, visual performance examination, visual field examination), responses about fixation targets (fixation targets include the center, periphery, symbols, visual targets, diagrams, images, videos, etc.), responses to questions from the examiner, responses to checking on the health of the subject (e.g., “are you sleepy?” “your eyes are closing”, “are you feeling okay?”) (examples of the responses to these questions include “I am tired”, “I need a short break”, etc.).

Head Fixing Device20

A structure of the head fixing device20is described next.

FIG.3is a perspective view showing an enlargement of the head fixing device of the present embodiment.

FIG.4is a perspective view showing the head fixing device of the present embodiment.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the head fixing device20is provided in the space portion14of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the head fixing device20is disposed in such a manner as to be suspended along the Y direction at the space portion14of the main body base portion13of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1. As shown inFIGS.1and3, the head fixing device20is made of metal or plastic, and has a forehead contact portion30, a cheek contact portion40, and a rod-shaped support member55.

Forehead Contact Portion30

First, the forehead contact portion30of the head fixing device20is described with reference toFIGS.1and3. The forehead contact portion30is a part that comes into contact with the forehead of the subject to support the forehead, and has a forehead rest surface31and a rod-shaped supporting member32. The forehead rest surface31is shaped so as to match the curved shape of the forehead of the subject, and has, for example, a depressed curved surface so as to be able to support the forehead of the subject. As shown inFIG.3, one end portion33of the supporting member32is connected to the back of the forehead rest surface31. Preferably, the forehead rest surface31is attached in such a manner that the angle thereof with respect to the one end portion33of the supporting member32can be changed. In this manner, the forehead rest surface31can come into contact with the forehead of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the specific face of the subject, to stably support the forehead of the subject.

As shown inFIG.3, the supporting member32is fixed to a base connecting portion15of the main body base portion13in such a manner as to extend downward from the base connecting portion15to the front side. Another end portion34of the supporting member32is fixed to the base connecting portion15by means of, for example, screws or the like. Preferably, the supporting member32is fixed in a detachable manner to the base connecting portion15. Therefore, the forehead contact portion30is removable separately from the support member55at the time of maintenance or the like of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1.

A member made of a biocompatible material that is soft to the touch when the subject brings his/her forehead into contact with the forehead rest surface31, such as rubber film, silicon film, or non-woven fabric, may be stuck in a detachable manner to the forehead rest surface31. Since the examiner can pay attention to hygiene by replacing the member stuck to the forehead rest surface31each time the subject changes, the subject can place his/her forehead on the forehead rest surface31to support his/her forehead without discomfort.

Cheek Contact Portion40

The cheek contact portion40of the head fixing device20is described next with reference toFIGS.3and4.

The cheek contact portion40is a part that comes into contact with the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject simultaneously, to support the left and right cheekbone portions. The cheek contact portion40includes a first cheek-contact body41, a second cheek-contact body42, and an opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion. The first cheek-contact body41supports the right cheek of the subject, which is one of the cheeks, by coming into contact therewith. The second cheek-contact body42supports the left cheek of the subject, which is the other cheek, by coming into contact therewith.

As shown inFIG.4, the first cheek-contact body41has a shaft portion43and a first contact member51having a spherical shape. The first contact member51having a spherical shape is fixed to a tip of the shaft portion43. Similarly, the second cheek-contact body42has a shaft portion44and a second contact member52having a spherical shape. The second contact member52having a spherical shape is fixed to a tip of the shaft portion44. In a case where the first contact member51and the second contact member52are fixed in a detachable manner to the respective shaft portions43,44, the examiner, from a hygienic perspective, can replace the first contact member51and the second contact member52as necessary, each time when the subject changes. For example, female screws are formed on the first contact member51and the second contact member52. On the other hand, male screws are formed on the tips of the shaft portions43,44. For this reason, the first contact member51and the second contact member52are fixed in a detachable manner to the shaft portions43,44. Note that the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42may have an identical structure. Furthermore, the shaft portion43and the first contact member51having a spherical shape may be formed integrally. The shaft portion44and the second contact member52having a spherical shape, too, may be formed integrally.

Since the first contact member51and the second contact member52are spherical objects, the right and left cheekbone portions of the subject can be supported more securely in accordance with the positions and shapes of the cheekbone portions of the subject. Again, since the first contact member51and the second contact member52are spherical objects, the head or face of the subject can be supported without discomfort even when the first contact member51comes into direct contact with the position of the right cheekbone of the subject and the second contact member52comes into direct contact with the left cheekbone of the subject. Examples of materials for the first contact member51and the second contact member52that come into direct contact with the face of the subject include a relatively soft material that has little physical impact on the subject and is biocompatible, such as an elastic material using rubber such as silicon.

Next, the opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion of the head fixing device20is described with reference toFIGS.4and5.

FIG.5is a plan view in which the head fixing device of the present embodiment is viewed from above.

The opening/closing mechanical portion50of the cheek contact portion40supports the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42in such a manner that the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42can open and close evenly to the left and right in synchronization in directions R1of coming close to each other and in a direction R2of separating from each other. The directions R1and R2are opposite to each other. Further, the opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion40rotate the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42to the same positions in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane) along a rotation direction R3shown inFIG.4.

The opening/closing mechanical portion50of the cheek contact portion40has a horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60for opening and closing the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42evenly to the left and right in, for example, the horizontal direction (within X-Z plane). The horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60is capable of opening/closing the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42at an angle equal on left and right sides in, for example, the horizontal direction, with respect to the axis in the Y direction as the center, the axis being the centerline in the vertical direction.

Preferred structural examples of the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60are now described with reference toFIGS.4and5.

The horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60has a base portion65, a first rotating body61, and a second rotating body62. The base portion65is formed of substantially fan-shaped upper plate65A and lower plate65B, side plates65C and65D, and a back plate65E, and has a front opening portion66. The base portion65supports the first rotating body61and the second rotating body62in a rotatable manner, and accommodates therein the first rotating body61and the second rotating body62side by side.

As shown inFIG.5, the first rotating body61and the second rotating body62share the same structure. In the base portion65, the first rotating body61is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational central axis61L. Similarly, in the base portion65, the second rotating body62is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational central axis62L. As shown inFIG.5, the first rotating body61has a gear71and a circular attachment portion73. The second rotating body62has a gear72and a circular attachment portion74.

As shown inFIG.5, the gears71and72have the same number of teeth of the same size. The gears71and72mesh with each other. The circular attachment portion73is fixed above the gear71, and has the shaft portion43fixed along a diametrical direction. Similarly, the circular attachment portion74is fixed above the gear72, and has the shaft portion44fixed along the diametrical direction. Therefore, when the first contact member51and the second contact member52come into contact with a right cheek M1(seeFIGS.6and7) and a left cheek M2(seeFIGS.6and7) of the subject respectively, the first contact member51and the second contact member52can be opened and closed evenly to the left and right in the directions R1of coming close to each other and in the direction R2of separating from each other in accordance with the positions of the right cheek M1and the left cheek M2. Opening the first contact member51of the first cheek-contact body41and the second contact member52of the second cheek-contact body42evenly to the left and right can prevent the face and head of the subject from being supported in a tilted manner.

As and shown inFIGS.4and5, the opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion40also has an up-down direction rotation mechanism80in addition to the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60. The up-down direction rotation mechanism80is fixed to a lower end portion55D of the rod-shaped or cylindrical support member55and supports the horizonal even opening/closing mechanism60so as to be turnable in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane) along the rotation direction R3.

As shown inFIG.5, the up-down direction rotation mechanism80has a fixture81having a substantially inverted U-shape. The fixture81is fixed to the lower end portion55D of the support member55. The fixture81has an adjusting screw82. The adjusting screw82supports a protrusion69of the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60in the fixture81. For example, when the examiner or the like rotates the adjusting screw82using a specialized tool, the entire horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60turns in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane) along the rotation direction R3. As a result, the first contact member51of the first cheek-contact body41and the second contact member52of the second cheek-contact body42move up and down evenly in the direction R3, with respect to an up-down turning central axis80L as the center, the up-down turning central axis80L extending in the horizontal direction. Subsequently, the first contact member51and the second contact member52are positioned at the same position in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane). In a case where the cheek contact portion40is not necessary, the examiner or the like can turn the entire horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60, for example, downward along the rotation direction R3, to pull the cheek contact portion40away from the examiner and the subject.

Thus, when the first contact member51of the first cheek-contact body41and the second contact member52of the second cheek-contact body42that are integrated with the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60are turned in the direction R3, the height position of the first contact member51on the right and the height position of the second contact member52on the left with respect to the Y direction are the same. Specifically, when the entire horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60is rotated by the up-down direction rotation mechanism80in the direction R3around the up-down turning central axis80L extending in the horizontal direction, with respect to the up-down direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1shown inFIG.1, the first contact member51and the second contact member52are disposed in the same height position. As a result, the right cheek M1and the left cheek M2of the subject are supported by the first contact member51and the second contact member52having the spherical shape, at the same height position in the up-down direction (Y direction) of the ophthalmologic apparatus. In addition, while preventing the face of the subject from tilting, the right cheek M1and the left cheek M2of the subject can be supported stably without discomfort. Since the up-down direction rotation mechanism80can move the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42evenly so that the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42are disposed at the same height position with respect to the up-down direction (Y direction) of the ophthalmologic apparatus, the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42can position the right cheek M1and the left cheek M2at the same height position while moving in the up-down direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Accordingly, the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1according to the present embodiment can support the right cheek M1and the left cheek M2more stably.

Examples of Use of Head Fixing Device20

Next is described, with reference toFIGS.6to8, an example in which the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed by supporting the head or face of the subject using the head fixing device20so that the head or face of the subject does not move with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1shown inFIG.1, when an objective refraction examination and a subjective refraction examination are executed on both eyes using the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the head fixing device of the present embodiment supports the head or face of the subject.

FIG.7is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the face, forehead, right cheek, and left cheek of the subject are supported.

FIGS.8A and8Bare schematic diagrams showing an example of the skull of the subject.

Note thatFIG.8Ais a side view showing the skull of the subject.FIG.8Bis a plan view in which the skull of the subject is viewed from the front.

InFIG.6, the forehead rest surface31of the forehead contact portion30supports a forehead101of a subject100in contact therewith. The forehead rest surface31can support the forehead101of the subject100by following the curved shape of the forehead101. It is preferred that the forehead rest surface31be attached in such a manner that the angle thereof with respect to the one end portion33of the supporting member32can be changed. The forehead rest surface31can stably support the forehead101of the subject100in contact therewith, in accordance with the size and shape of the specific face of the subject100. Moreover, since the first contact member51and the second contact member52are spherical objects, when the first contact member51comes into direct contact with the right cheek M1of the subject100and the second contact member52comes into direct contact with the left cheek M2of the subject100, the head or face of the subject100can be supported without discomfort.

InFIG.7showing the face of the subject100, the position where the forehead rest surface31comes into contact with the forehead101, the positions where the first contact member51and the second contact member52come into contact with the right cheek M1and the left cheek M2respectively, and the positions where the first eyepiece portion11and the second eyepiece portion12approach a right eye E1and a left eye E2respectively, are shown.FIG.7also shows a state in which the head or face of the subject100is supported in a three-point support form by the forehead rest surface31, the first contact member51, and the second contact member52.

In the skull shown inFIGS.8A and8B, the forehead rest surface31shown inFIG.6comes into contact with and supports a bone portion at a position of the forehead101of the subject (a part in the frontal bone), and the first contact member51and the second contact member52shown inFIG.6come into contact with and support a part of a cheekbone201of the right cheek M1and a part of a cheekbone202of the left cheek M2, respectively. Therefore, the head fixing device20can support the head or face of the subject stably at the part of the frontal bone and a part of the sternum without going through a mandible part.

Therefore, the head or face of the subject100is stably supported in a three-point support form by the forehead rest surface31which is the first support section, the first contact member51which is the second support section, and the second contact member52which is the third support section. The first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42can be opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion40in the direction R1of coming close to each other and the direction R2of separating from each other, in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Thus, the positions of the eyes E1, E2of the subject100shown inFIG.7are fixed stably so as not to move with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1which is the ophthalmologic apparatus. Moreover, the head or face of the subject is supported stably without discomfort, without having the chin restrained. Consequently, the head fixing device20can stably and securely determine the positions of the eyes E1, E2with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1by means of the three-point support form, in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject100. Furthermore, since the chin and mouth are not restrained, the subject100can respond orally during an eye exam, thereby realizing smooth objective refraction optometry and subjective refraction optometry.

In this manner, the head fixing device20shown inFIG.4can support the skull of the subject stably by the three-point support form in such a manner that the positions of the eyes E1, E2do not move with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1. The chin and mouth of the subject are not restrained and therefore are in a free state. For this reason, the subject can freely respond orally to questions and the like from the examiner. As described above, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present embodiment can securely support the parts of the right and left cheekbones201,202of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject, so that the subject can orally respond while having the positions of the eyes of the subject fixed. Since the skull is supported by the three-point support form, the positions of the eyes of the subject can be kept easily when an examination is performed with the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1.

The first contact member51and the second contact member52on the right and left are supported at the same height position with respect to the Y direction which is the up-down direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1, and can be opened at an angle equal on the left and right sides in, for example, the horizontal direction, with respect to the Y direction as the center. The first contact member51and the second contact member52can therefore support, more stably, the face of the subject so as not to tilt the face of the subject. Further, when bringing the right cheek M1into contact with the spherical first contact member51and the left cheek M2into contact with the spherical second contact member52, the subject can freely move the spherical first and second contact members51and52to the positions that the subject find comfortable. The first contact member51and the second contact member52move when pushed by the cheeks of the subject.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the head fixing device20of the present embodiment is used in the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1which is an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus. When the examiner executes an eye exam away from the subject by using an ophthalmologic apparatus in which the subject needs to respond orally, it is often difficult to obtain information on the condition of the subject. For example, the examiner and the subject have more opportunities to perform exams away from each other in which the examiner performs an eye exam remotely using an information network such as the internet, to maintain social distancing.

By using the head fixing device20, the subject can be free without having the chin and mouth of the subject restrained. As a result, the examiner can ask the subject questions and have the subject answer orally. The head fixing device20of the present embodiment is capable of fixing the eyes of the subject with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus while enabling conversations required in remote examinations (examinations operated remotely) that are expected to take place in the future; thus, the head fixing device20can be applied to a variety of ophthalmologic apparatuses that are normally used.

In contrast, when using only the chin rest in the conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses, the position of the face of the subject, that is, the positions of the eyes of the subject, cannot always be supported stably because, depending on the shape of the face of the subject, the chin of the subject needs to be supported at one point. No matter how the subject situates his/her chin, such as clenching his/her teeth, having his/her mouth half-opened, or having his/her mouth wide open, the position of the face of the subject does not always become stable. In addition, since the chin is restrained by the chin rest, it is difficult for the subject to respond orally.

Further, when using only the forehead pad in the conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses, the head of the subject may be supported at one point, depending on the shape of the face of the subject. In such a case, the position of the face of the subject, that is, the positions of the eyes of the subject, do not always become stable.

FIG.9is a perspective view showing an example in which a schematic eye holder is mounted in place of the head fixing device shown inFIG.3.

A schematic eye holder300is mounted prior to production and shipping of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1. The schematic eye holder300is a calibration prototype (correction prototype) for optically calibrating (correcting) the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1. By mounting a schematic eye301such as a lens for myopia, hyperopia or the like, a correction can be executed on the optical system on the basis of the schematic eye301, and writing of examination software of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1can be performed.

InFIG.9, the schematic eye holder300is attached to the base connecting portion15using an attachment plate302by means of, for example, screwing or the like. Thus, the schematic eye holder300functions as a device for attaching the schematic eye301to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1. The schematic eye holder300can perform an optical calibration (correction) of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1by using the schematic eye301. Thereafter, when the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1is actually shipped, the schematic eye holder300is removed, and an upper end portion of the support member55of the head fixing device20shown inFIG.3is attached to the base connecting portion15. Since the schematic eye301for calibrating (correcting) the ophthalmologic apparatus is attached to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus1in this manner, the schematic eye holder300can be attached.

Second Embodiment

An ophthalmologic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described next with reference toFIG.10.

FIG.10is a plan view showing a head fixing device of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the head fixing device20of the first embodiment shown inFIG.5, the gear71of the first rotating body61and the gear72of the second rotating body62mesh with each other. In a head fixing device20A of the second embodiment shown in FIG. on the other hand, the first rotating body61and the second rotating body62do not have gears but have ring-shaped friction materials61T,62T, respectively. The friction material61T of the first rotating body61and the friction material62T of the second rotating body62are brought into abutment against each other by a predetermined force. The first rotating body61and the second rotating body62rotate in opposite directions. Thus, in the head fixing device20A shown inFIG.10, the first cheek-contact body41and the second cheek-contact body42are supported so as to be openable and closable evenly to the left and right in synchronization in the directions R1of coming close to each other and the direction R2of separating from each other.

Third Embodiment

An ophthalmologic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described next with reference toFIG.11.

FIG.11is a side view showing a head fixing device of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the head fixing device20according to the first embodiment shown inFIGS.4and5, the opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion40further includes the up-down direction rotation mechanism80in addition to the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60. In a head fixing device20B of the third embodiment shown inFIG.11, on the other hand, the opening/closing mechanism portion50of the cheek contact portion40further includes an up-down direction movement mechanism180in addition to the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60. The up-down direction movement mechanism180has a cylindrical moving body181, and a retaining screw182for fixing the moving body181at an arbitrary height position in the lower end portion55D of the support member55. The moving body181fixes the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60.

The support member55passes through the cylindrical moving body181. The examiner can manually move the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60linearly along the Y direction by loosening the retaining screw182, and can fix the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism60at an arbitrary height position by tightening the retaining screw182. Therefore, even with such a simpler mechanism as the up-down direction movement mechanism180, the right cheek and the left cheek of the subject can be supported stably at the same height position by the spherical first and second contact members51and52.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.12A to12Care schematic diagrams showing a cheek contact portion of an ophthalmologic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS.3to5, the first contact member51of the first cheek-contact body41of the cheek contact portion40and the second contact member52of the second cheek-contact body42are each a spherical object. In a cheek contact portion40A of the embodiment shown inFIG.12A, on the other hand, a first contact member351and a second contact member352are not spherical but are substantially U-shaped. Also, in a cheek contact portion40B of the embodiment shown inFIG.12B, a first contact member451and a second contact member452are formed by bending the first contact member351and the second contact member352of the embodiment shown inFIG.12Ain a direction of facing each other. In a cheek contact portion40C according to the embodiment shown inFIG.12C, a first contact member551and a second contact member552are not spherical but are disc-shaped. In addition to a spherical shape, the first contact member51and the second contact member52shown inFIG.3may be in other shapes such as a football shape and a hemispherical shape.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and therefore various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of claims. The configurations of the foregoing embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the foregoing embodiments.

Examples of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention include ophthalmologic diagnostic apparatuses, examination apparatuses, and therapeutic apparatuses. Examples of the ophthalmologic diagnostic apparatuses include three-dimensional fundus photographing apparatuses, fundus cameras, slit lamps, and optical ocular axial length measuring apparatuses. Examples of the examination apparatuses include autokerato-refractometers, autorefractometers, ophthalmotonometers, specular microscopes, autokerato-refracto tonometers, and wavefront analyzers. Examples of the therapeutic apparatuses include pattern scan lasers, laser photocoagulators, and operating microscopes.

In addition, the chin rest unit that is commonly used has an up-down drive unit for moving the chin rest up and down. The up-down drive unit may be used to drive the head fixing device of the present embodiment as described hereinafter. Specifically, the chin rest itself is removed, and the up-down drive unit is used in the head fixing device of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention. Then, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion of the cheek contact portion. The first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body may or may not be moved up and down in the Y direction using the up-down drive unit. In this manner, the same effects as those of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention described above can be achieved.

Furthermore, the forehead contact portion30does not have to be fixed to the ophthalmologic apparatus as in the illustrated embodiments of the present invention. For example, the forehead contact portion30may be fixed to the support member55of the head fixing device20.