An ophthalmology apparatus includes an apparatus body on which a first measurer and a second measurer are provided and which is movable relative to a base by a driver, a forehead support provided on the base, and a controller. The controller detects a first front position setting a distance between the second measurer and the forehead support as a first interval and a second front position setting a distance between the second measurer and the forehead support as a second interval larger than the first interval, and emits a warning when the apparatus body reaches the second front position in moving the apparatus body to a forehead support side and stops movement of the apparatus body to the forehead support side when the apparatus body reaches the first front position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-258734, filed on Dec. 13, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a compound-type ophthalmology apparatus including a first measurer set at a first setting working distance and a second measurer set at a second setting working distance.

BACKGROUND ART

A compound-type ophthalmology apparatus including a first measurer set at a first setting working distance and a second measurer set at a second setting working distance shorter than the first setting working distance is proposed (for example, Patent Literature 1). The ophthalmology apparatus includes an intraocular pressure measurement device as the second measurer in which the second setting working distance has a very small value and a separate eye characteristic measurement device as the first measurer in which the first setting working distance has a relatively large value. In the ophthalmology apparatus, various measurements are executed by fitting a forehead of the subject to a forehead support to fix the face, that is, an inspected eye of the subject and by moving the first measurer or the second measurer to a position where measurement is adequately executed.

Here, in the compound-type ophthalmology apparatus as described above, there is an apparatus having a configuration in which the second measurer is integrally provided above the first measurer and the first measurer and the second measurer can be moved while maintaining a positional relationship therebetween. In such a compound-type ophthalmology apparatus, it is considered that the second measurer is configured to locate in front of the first measurer, that is, protrude to a subject side. This is because the arrangement makes it possible to prevent the first measurer from being in contact with the nose or mouth of the subject, or from giving an obstructive feeling to the subject even if there is no contact, when measuring the inspected eye by use of the second measurer which is upward positioned.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

However, in the compound-type ophthalmology apparatus, when forward moving the first measurer in measuring the inspected eye by use of the first measurer which is downward positioned, the second measurer (tip thereof) which is upward and forward positioned approaches the forehead support which is positioned above the inspected eye. There is a problem that the second measurer (tip thereof) therefore interferes with the forehead support depending on a positional setting or quantity of movement, or the hand of the subject is interposed between the second measurer and the forehead support in a case where the hand is put on the forehead support even if there is no interference.

The present invention is made to solve the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ophthalmology apparatus capable of preventing a second measurer from interfering with a forehead support and the hand put on the forehead support from being interposed between the second measurer and the forehead support.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above problem, an ophthalmology apparatus according to claim1includes a first measurer set at a first setting working distance to measure an inspected eye of a subject, a second measurer set at a second setting working distance shorter than the first setting working distance to measure the inspected eye and integrally provided above the first measurer, an apparatus body on which the first measurer and the second measurer are provided and which is movable relative to a base, a driver that moves the apparatus body relative to the base, a forehead support provided on the base to support a forehead of the subject, and a controller that controls the first measurer, the second measurer, and the driver. The controller is configured to detect a first front position in the apparatus body, in which a distance between the second measurer and the forehead support is set as a first interval and a second front position in the apparatus body, in which a distance between the second measurer and the forehead support is set as a second interval larger than the first interval. The controller emits a warning when the apparatus body reaches the second front position in moving the apparatus body to a forehead support side and stops the movement of the apparatus body to the forehead support side when the apparatus body reaches the first front position.

Advantageous Effects

According to the ophthalmology apparatus according to the present invention, the second measurer is prevented from interfering with the forehead support, and the hand put on the forehead support can be prevented from being interposed between the second measurer and the forehead support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of an ophthalmology apparatus according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The ophthalmology apparatus10as one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 10. Here,FIG. 5Aillustrates an intraocular pressure measurement mode, andFIG. 5Billustrates an eye characteristic measurement mode.FIG. 7Aillustrates a first front position FL1,FIG. 7Billustrates a second front position FL2,FIG. 7Cillustrates a third front position FL3, andFIG. 7Dillustrates a fourth front position FL4.FIG. 10Aillustrates a state where a hand is placed on a forehead support16, andFIG. 10Billustrates a state where the hand is not placed on the forehead support16.

The ophthalmology apparatus10is a compound-type ophthalmology apparatus including an intraocular pressure measurement device20that measures an intraocular pressure of an inspected eye E (seeFIG. 2and so on) as one example of a second measurer and an eye characteristic measurement device40that measures other optical characteristics (eye characteristics) of the inspected eye E as a first measurer, as shown inFIG. 1. An eye ground (retina) Ef, a cornea (anterior ocular segment) Ec, and an apex of the cornea Ea of the inspected eye E are illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The ophthalmology apparatus10is composed of an apparatus body13which is provided on a base11through a driver12. The intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40are provided inside the apparatus body13, and a display14, a jaw rest15, and the forehead support16are provided outside the apparatus body.

The display14is formed by a liquid crystal display and displays an image such as an image of the anterior ocular segment, an inspection result and so on of the inspected eye E under control of a controller33(seeFIG. 2) as described below. The display14installs a function of touch panel in the present embodiment and is configured to be capable of executing operation to measure the inspected eye by using the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40, or executing operation to move the apparatus body13by manual operation. In addition, the display14displays a switching icon in each measurement mode as described above by using the function of touch panel and can execute switching operation of each measurement mode by touching the switching icon. Note that operation to execute the measurement may be executed by operation of a measurement switch by providing the measurement switch. Operation to move the apparatus body13may be executed by a control lever or movement operation switch by providing the control lever or the movement operation switch.

The jaw rest15and the forehead support16hold a face of a subject (patient), in other words, the position of the inspected eye E to the apparatus body13when measuring, and are fixedly provided on the base11. The jaw rest15is a part where the subject places the jaw thereon and the forehead support16is a part where the subject applies the forehead thereto. In the ophthalmology apparatus10, the display14, and the jaw rest15and the forehead support16are arranged at both sides of the apparatus body13to face each other across the apparatus body13. In a usual use state of the ophthalmology apparatus10, the display14is disposed at a side of an examiner and the jaw rest15and the forehead support16are disposed at a side of the subject. The display14is rotatably supported on the apparatus body13to be capable of changing a direction of a display surface, for example, to direct the display surface to the subject or to direct the display surface to a side (an X-axis direction). The apparatus body13is movable relative to the base11, that is, the inspected eye E (the face of the subject) fixed by the jaw rest15and the forehead support16by the driver12.

The driver12moves the apparatus body13relative to the base11in an up-down direction (a Y-axis direction), a front-back direction (a Z-axis direction (right-left direction as viewedFIG. 1in front)), and a right-left direction (the X-axis direction (a perpendicular direction to a paper plane in FIG.1)) perpendicular thereto. Note that, in the embodiment, an upper side in the up-down direction is defined as a positive side in the Y-axis direction, a side of the subject (a right side as viewedFIG. 1in front) in the front-back direction is defined as a positive side in the Z-axis direction, and a near side as viewed inFIG. 1in front in the right-left direction is defined as a positive side in the X-axis direction (see arrows inFIG. 1). In the embodiment, the driver12includes a Y-axis driving part12a, a Z-axis driving part12b, and an X-axis driving part12c.

The Y-axis driving part12ais provided on the base11and moves (displays) the apparatus body13relative to the base11in the Y-axis direction (up-down direction) through the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12c. In other words, the Y-axis driving part12ais a part that moves the apparatus body13in the Y-axis direction (up-down direction), in the driver12. The Y-axis driving part12ahas a supporting column12dand a Y-axis moving frame12e. The supporting column12dis fixedly provided on the base11and is configured to extend from the base11in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis moving frame12eis configured to be capable of surrounding the supporting column12dand attached to the supporting column12dto be relatively movable in the Y-axis direction through a Y-axis guide member which is not shown. The Y-axis moving frame12eis set such that a movable range relative to the supporting column12d(base11) in the Y-axis direction can position the intraocular pressure measurement device20at the lowermost position (negative side) in an intraocular pressure measurement mode as described below (see FIG.5A) and the eye characteristic measurement device40at the uppermost position (positive side) in an eye characteristic measurement mode as described below (seeFIG. 5B).

A resilient member which is not shown is provided between the Y-axis moving frame12eand the supporting column12dand is configured to impart a force pressing upwardly the Y-axis moving frame12e. The resilient member is composed of a tension spring which is formed by a spirally wound wire material in the embodiment. The tension spring is configured to be contracted most in an unloaded state and generates a resilient force against operation in which one end and another end separate from each other. In other words, the Y-axis moving frame12eis configured to be suspended with respect to the supporting column12dby the resilient member. The Y-axis moving frame12eis supported on the supporting column12d(base11) through the resilient member in a state where a relative moving direction of the Y-axis moving frame12eto the supporting column12d(base11) by the Y-axis guide member is defined in the Y-axis direction. Note that the resilient member may use a compression spring or other configuration and is not limited to the embodiment, as long as the Y-axis moving frame12eis supported by imparting to the Y-axis moving frame12ea force pressing the Y-axis moving frame12eto the supporting column12d(base11) in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the compression spring is formed by a spirally wound wire material and configured to be extended most in an unloaded state and generates a resilient force against operation in which one end and another end are close to each other. In the case using the compression spring, the supporting column12dor the base11may be configured to support the Y-axis moving frame12efrom below through the compression spring.

A drive-force transmission mechanism that transmits a drive force to move the Y-axis moving frame12erelative to the supporting column12din the Y-axis direction is provided on the Y-axis driving part12a. In the Y-axis driving part12a, the Y-axis moving frame12eis moved from a balanced position of the resilient member to the positive side of the Y-axis direction by imparting an upward moving force from the drive-force transmission mechanism to the Y-axis moving frame12e, and the Y-axis moving frame12eis moved from the balanced position of the resilient member to the negative side of the Y-axis direction by imparting a downward moving force from the drive-force transmission mechanism to the Y-axis moving frame12e.

The Z-axis driving part12bis provided on the Y-axis moving frame12e(the Y-axis driving part12a) and moves (displaces) the apparatus body13relative to the Y-axis driving part12a, that is, the base11in the Z-axis direction (front-back direction) through the X-axis driving part12c. In other words, the Z-axis driving part12bis a part for moving the apparatus body13in the Z-axis direction (front-back direction) in the driver12. The Z-axis driving part12bincludes a Z-axis supporting stage12fand a Z-axis movable table12g. The Z-axis supporting stage12fis fixedly provided on the Y-axis moving frame12eand moved together with Y-axis moving frame12ein the Y-axis direction. The Z-axis supporting stage12fsupports the Z-axis movable table12gto be relatively movable in the Z-axis direction through a Z-axis guide member which is not shown. The Z-axis driving part12bis provided with a drive-force transmission mechanism that imparts a drive force to move the Z-axis movable table12grelative to the Z-axis supporting stage12fin the Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis driving part12b, the Z-axis movable table12gis suitably moved in the Z-axis direction by imparting the drive force from the drive-force transmission mechanism to the Z-axis movable table12g.

The X-axis driving part12cis provided on the Z-axis movable table12g(the Z-axis driving part12b) and moves (displaces) the apparatus body13relative to the Z-axis driving part12b, that is, the base11in the X-axis direction (right-left direction). In other words, the X-axis driving part12cis a configuration that moves the apparatus body13in the X-axis direction (right-left direction) in the driver12. The X-axis driving part12cincludes an X-axis supporting stage12hand an X-axis movable table12i. The X-axis supporting stage12his fixedly provided on the Z-axis movable table12gand is moved together with the Z-axis movable table12gin the Z-axis direction. The X-axis supporting stage12hsupports the X-axis movable table12ito be relatively movable in the X-axis direction though an X-axis guide member which is not shown. The X-axis driving part12cis provided with a drive-force transmission mechanism that imparts a drive force to move the X-axis movable table12irelative to the X-axis supporting stage12hin the X-axis direction. In the X-axis driving part12c, the X-axis movable table12iis suitably moved in the X-axis direction by imparting the drive force in the X-axis direction from the drive-force transmission mechanism to the X-axis movable table12i. The apparatus body13is fixed to the X-axis movable table12ithrough a mounting substrate (not shown) to which the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40provided inside the apparatus body13are attached.

It is therefore possible to suitably move the apparatus body13relative to the base11in the up-down direction (Y-axis direction), the front-back direction (Z-axis direction), and the right-left direction (X-axis direction) by suitably driving the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12cin the driver12. Note that, in the driver12, the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12care connected to the controller33(seeFIG. 2), although it is not specifically shown, thereby each driving part is driven under control of the controller33. The controller33configures an electric control system for the ophthalmology apparatus10and generally controls each part of the ophthalmology apparatus10by a program stored in a built-in memory.

InFIG. 1, the ophthalmology apparatus10is provided with a cover member that forms the entire outer shape of the ophthalmology apparatus. The cover member is omitted to facilitate understanding and covers the ophthalmology apparatus10over a range from the base11through the driver12to apparatus body13. In addition,FIG. 1illustrates the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12cin the driver12to be stacked in the Y-axis direction, but they are not completely divided in the Y-axis direction. Each driving part is configured to be overlapped when viewing in a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. It is therefore possible for the driver12, that is, the ophthalmology apparatus10to prevent a height dimension (dimension as viewed in the Y-axis direction) from increasing and to suitably move the apparatus body13relative to the base11.

The apparatus body13is provided with the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40disposed therein. The eye characteristic measurement device40constitutes a first measurer set at a first setting working distance d1(seeFIG. 5B), and the intraocular pressure measurement device20constitutes a second measurer set at a second setting working distance d2(seeFIG. 5A) shorter than the first setting working distance. Each working distance is a distance capable of executing measurement of the inspected eye E by each measurer and is shown by a distance (interval) from a tip of each measurer to the inspected eye E. The intraocular pressure measurement device20is used in measuring the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E. The eye characteristic measurement device40measures the optical characteristic (eye characteristic). In the embodiment, the eye characteristic measurement device is used in measuring a shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and refractive power (spherical power, astigmatic power, an astigmatic axis angle, and so on) of the inspected eye E.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10in the embodiment, an optical axis O1as described below, which is a main optical axis of the intraocular pressure measurement device20in the apparatus body13, is disposed to be upper (positive side in the Y-axis direction) than a main optical axis O1O as described below in the eye characteristic measurement device40(seeFIGS. 5A and 5B). Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, basically the intraocular pressure measurement device20is provided above the eye characteristic measurement device40in the apparatus body13. Here, a reason referred to as “basically” with respect to a positional relationship between the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40is for forming an integral structure configured to match parts of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40by intersecting a part of one optical system with another optical system in the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40, without they being individually separated.

Next, an optical configuration of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. The intraocular pressure measurement device20is a non-contact type tonometer. The intraocular pressure measurement device20includes an anterior ocular segment observing optical system21as one example of an observation optical system, an X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22, a fixation target projecting optical system23, an applanation detecting optical system24, a Z alignment index projecting optical system25as one example of a detection optical system, and a Z alignment detecting optical system26as one example of the detection optical system, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

The anterior ocular segment observing optical system21is provided to execute the observation of the anterior ocular segment of the inspected eye E and X-Y alignment (alignment in a direction along an X-Y plane). The anterior ocular segment observing optical system21is provided with anterior ocular segment illuminating light sources21a(seeFIG. 2) and includes an air flow blowing nozzle21b, an anterior ocular segment window glass21c(seeFIG. 3), a chamber window glass21d, a half mirror21e, a half mirror21g, an object lens21f, and a CCD camera21i, which are arranged on an optical axis O1. The plurality of anterior ocular segment illuminating light sources21ais arranged around the anterior ocular segment window glass21c(seeFIG. 2) (only two light sources are shown inFIG. 2) and configured to illuminate the anterior ocular segment directly. The air flow blowing nozzle21bis a nozzle to brow air flow to the inspected eye E (the anterior ocular segment) and is provided in an air compression chamber34aof an air flow blowing mechanism34which is described below (seeFIG. 3). The CCD camera21igenerates an image signal based on an image (image of the anterior ocular segment and so on) formed on a light-receiving surface, and the generated image signal is output to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The image acquired by the CCD camera21iis suitably displayed on the display14(seeFIG. 1) under control of the controller33and suitably output to an external device which is not shown.

The CCD camera21iis configured to be movable along the optical axis O1by a focusing drive mechanism21D, as shown inFIG. 3. The focusing drive mechanism suitably moves the CCD camera21ito focus on the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E under control of the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The focusing drive mechanism21D has a drive source using together with that of a fixation target moving mechanism41D (seeFIG. 4) of a fixation target projecting optical system41as described below. That is to say, the drive source drives the focusing drive mechanism21D in an intraocular pressure measurement mode (seeFIG. 5A) described below and drives the fixation target moving mechanism41D in an eye characteristic measurement mode (seeFIG. 5B) described below. The controller33focuses the CCD camera21ion the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E by changing a position of the CCD camera on the optical axis O1in accordance with a position of the intraocular pressure measurement device20, that is, the apparatus body13through the focusing drive mechanism21D.

In the embodiment, the controller33can move the CCD camera21ithrough the focusing drive mechanism21D at two positions of a first focusing position f1and a second focusing position f2on the optical axis O1. The movement of the CCD camera21ithrough the focusing drive mechanism21D may be switched to two steps in the first focusing position f1and the second focusing position f2or continuously moved between the first focusing position f1and the second focusing position f2.

The first focusing position f1is a position focusing on a vicinity of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E when setting the intraocular pressure measurement device20(apparatus body13) to a position where the measurement of the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E can be executed, in other words, from the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E to the second setting working distance d2(seeFIG. 5A). The position where the measurement of the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E can be executed is set to be a distance (interval) from the tip of the air flow blowing nozzle21b(a nozzle projection21hdescribed below) to the inspected eye E, that is a position where the second setting working distance d2is set to be 11 mm (seeFIG. 5A), in the embodiment.

The second focusing position f2is a position focusing on a vicinity of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E when setting the intraocular pressure measurement device20(apparatus body13) to a position sufficiently separated from the inspected eye E (subject). This is because the intraocular pressure measurement device20(apparatus body13) is first moved in the Y-axis direction to be set to a height position facing the inspected eye E and then moved in the Z-axis direction to approach the inspected eye E, when switching from the eye characteristic measurement mode (measurement mode by the eye characteristic measurement device40) to the intraocular pressure measurement mode (measurement mode by the intraocular pressure measurement device20), as described below. This movement is executed to prevent the air flow blowing nozzle21b(the nozzle projection21hdescribed below, (the tip thereof)) very nearing the inspected eye E from coming in contact with the inspected eye E erroneously. Or, when switching the inspected eye E which is a measured object by right and left eyes of the subject in the intraocular pressure measurement mode, the intraocular pressure measurement device20is first retreated (to the negative side in the Z-axis direction) from a position where the intraocular pressure of one eye is measured, moved to the right-left direction (X-axis direction), and moved to a direction approaching the other inspected eye E, and thereby the alignment is executed. This operation is executed to prevent the tip of the air flow blowing nozzle21b(the nozzle projection21hdescribed below) from coming in contact with the subject (nose and so on) erroneously.

In the embodiment, the controller33switches the position of the CCD camera to the first focusing position f1and the second focusing position f2in accordance with a position of the apparatus body13(the intraocular pressure measurement device20) to the base11, that is, a control position in the Z-axis direction (front-back direction) by the driver12(Z-axis driving part12b). This is because the interval between the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the inspected eye E is roughly decided depending upon the position of the apparatus body13(the intraocular pressure measurement device20) to the base11. Note that the drive source of the focusing drive mechanism21D is used together with the drive source of the fixation target moving mechanism41D (seeFIG. 4) of the fixation target projecting optical system41as described below. However, the drive source may share with a drive source of an index moving mechanism43D (seeFIG. 4) of a ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye-refractive power43(light-receiving optical system44) as described below, or the foregoing mechanisms may have a drive source individually, without being limited to the embodiment.

In the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21, an image of the anterior ocular segment of the inspected eye E is acquired by the CCD camera21iwhile illuminating the inspected eye E (anterior ocular segment) by the anterior ocular segment illuminating light sources21a. The image of the anterior ocular segment (light flux) passes outside the air flow blowing nozzle21b, transmits the anterior ocular segment window glass21c(including a glass plate34bdescribed below), the chamber window glass21d, the half mirror21g, and the half mirror21e, is collected by the object lens21f, and imaged on the CCD camera21i(light-receiving surface). The CCD camera21i(anterior ocular segment observing optical system21) is configured to output a signal based on light reception of the image of the anterior ocular segment to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The controller33is configured to suitably display on the display14(seeFIG. 1) the image of the anterior ocular segment acquitted by the CCD camera21i(anterior ocular segment observing optical system21).

Moreover, in the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21, reflection light of X-Y alignment index light projected on the inspected eye E by the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22on the cornea Ec is moved to the CCD camera21i(the light-receiving surface), as described below. Specifically, in the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21, the reflection light flux passes through an inside of the air flow blowing nozzle21b, transmits the chamber window glass21d, the half mirror21g, and the half mirror21e, and reaches the object lens21f. Then, in the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21, the reflection light is collected by the object lens21fand moved to the CCD camera21i. Then, an image of bright spot is imaged on the CCD camera21i(light-receiving surface) at a position depending on a position relationship between the apparatus body13and the cornea Ec in the X-Y direction. The CCD camera21i(the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21) can output a signal based on light reception of the image of bright spot as imaged to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The image of bright spot of the X-Y alignment index light is formed on the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E. The controller33can therefore acquire an image (data) of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) on which the image of bright spot is formed and can display on the display14the image of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) formed with the image of bright spot. Note that an alignment auxiliary mark generated by an image generator which is not shown is together displayed on the display14.

The X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22projects index light for X-Y alignment on the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E from the front. The index light has a function capable of executing the adjustment of a position of the inspected eye E to the intraocular pressure measurement device20, that is, so-called alignment in the X-Y direction, as viewed in a direction along the X-Y plane (hereinafter also referred to as the X-Y direction). In addition, the index light also has a function that can detect a deformation amount (a degree of deformation (applanation)). The X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22includes a light source for X-Y alignment22a, a condensing lens22b, an aperture stop22c, a pinhole plate22d, a dichroic mirror22e, and a projecting lens22f, and shares the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21and the half mirror21e. The light source for X-Y alignment22ais configured to emit infrared light. The projecting lens22fis disposed on a light path of the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22to focus on the pinhole plate22d. In the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22, the infrared light emitted from the light source for X-Y alignment22apasses through the aperture stop22cwhile being collected by the condensing lens22band is moved to the pinhole plate22d(hole portion). In the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22, the light flux passing through the pinhole plate22d(hole) is reflected on the dichroic mirror22eand moved to the projecting lens22f. The moved infrared light is formed as a parallel light flux by the projecting lens22fand moved to the half mirror21e. Then, in the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22, the parallel light flux is moved on the optical axis O1of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21by reflecting on the half mirror21e. The parallel light flux transmits the half mirror21gand the chamber window glass21dand goes to the inside of the air flow blowing nozzle21b, and reaches the inspected eye E as the X-Y alignment index light by passing through the inside of the air flow blowing nozzle21b. The X-Y alignment index light is reflected on a surface of the cornea Ec so as to form the image of bright spot at an intermediate position between the apex Ea of the cornea Ec and a center of curvature of the cornea Ec, although it is not shown. Note that the aperture stop22cis provided at a conjugate position with the apex Ea of the cornea Ec with respect to the projecting lens22f.

The fixation target projecting optical system23projects (presents) the fixation target on the inspected eye E. The fixation target projecting optical system23includes a light source for fixation target23aand a pinhole plate23band shares the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22, the dichroic mirror22e, and the projecting lens22f, as well as the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21and the half mirror21e. The light source for fixation target23ais configured to be a light source that emits visible light. In the fixation target projecting optical system23, fixation target light emitted from the light source for fixation target23ais moved to the pinhole plate23b(a hole portion thereof) and passes through the pinhole plate23b(hole portion), transmits the dichroic mirror22e, and moved to the projecting lens22f. The fixation target light (light flux) is formed in substantial parallel light by the projecting lens22fand moved to the half mirror21eand moves on the optical axis O1of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21by being reflected on the half mirror21e. The light flux transmits the half mirror21gand the chamber window glass21d, moves to the inside of the air flow blowing nozzle21b, passes through the inside of the air flow blowing nozzle21b, and reaches the inspected eye E. The fixation target projecting optical system23fixes a line of sight of the subject by letting the subject gaze at the fixation target projected on the inspected eye E.

The applanation detecting optical system24receives the reflection light of the X-Y alignment index light projected on the inspected eye E by the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22on the cornea Ec and detects the deformation amount (applanation) of the surface of the cornea Ec, as shown inFIG. 3. The applanation detecting optical system24includes a lens24a, a pinhole plate24b, a sensor24c, and the half mirror21gprovided on the light path of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21. The lens24afocuses on a central hole of the pinhole plate24bthe reflection light of the X-Y alignment index light on the cornea Ec, when the surface of the cornea Ec is flat. The pinhole plate24bis provided to position the central hole at the light-focusing position as described above by the lens24a. The sensor24cis a light-receiving sensor that can detect a light quantity, and outputs a signal in accordance with a received light quantity. The sensor uses a photodiode in the embodiment. The sensor24c(the applanation detecting optical system24) outputs the signal in accordance with the received light quantity to the controller33.

As described above, the reflection light flux of the X-Y alignment index light reflected on the surface (cornea surface) of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E passes through the inside of the air flow blowing nozzle21b, transmits the chamber window glass21d, and reaches the half mirror21g. In the applanation detecting optical system24, a part of the reflection light flux is reflected on the half mirror21gand moved to the lens24a, condensed by the lens24a, and moved to the pinhole plate24b. Here, air flow is blown from the air flow blowing nozzle21bto the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E by an air flow blowing mechanism34(seeFIG. 1and so on) as described below, thereby the surface of the cornea Ec gradually deforms to become a flat state. At this time, in the applanation detecting optical system24, when the surface of the cornea Ec is flat by the foregoing setting, the entirety of the moved reflection light flux reaches the sensor24cpassing through the hole of the pinhole plate24b. In the other state, the reflection light flux reaches the sensor24cwhile being partially interrupted by the pinhole plate24b. Therefore, by detecting a time at which the light quantity received on the sensor24cis maximum, the flatness of the surface of the cornea Ec (applanation) can be detected. The applanation detecting optical system24can therefore detect a shape (applanation) of the surface of the cornea Ec deformed by blowing of the fluid and function as a light receiving part that receives the reflection light (reflection light flux) from the cornea Ec, which is detected by the sensor24c.

The Z alignment index projecting optical system25projects alignment index light (alignment index parallel light flux) in the Z-axis direction on the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E from a diagonal direction, as shown inFIG. 2. The Z alignment index projecting optical system25is composed of a light source for Z alignment, a condensing lens25b, an aperture stop25c, a pinhole plate25d, and a projecting lens25ewhich are arranged on an optical axis O2. The light source for Z alignment25aemits infrared light (for example, wavelength of 860 nm). The aperture stop25cis disposed at a position conjugate with the apex Ea of the cornea Ec with respect to the projecting lens25e. The projecting lens25eis disposed to focus on the pinhole plate (hole portion). In the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, the infrared light (light flux) emitted from the light source for Z alignment25bpasses through the aperture stop25cwhile being condensed by the condensing lens25band goes to the pinhole plate25d. In the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, the light flux passing through the pinhole plate25d(hole portion) is moved to the projecting lens25eand is formed in parallel light in the projecting lens25e, and the parallel light is moved to the cornea Ec. The infrared light (the flux light (Z alignment index light)) is reflected on the surface of the cornea Ec to form the image of bright spot positioning on the inside of the inspected eye E.

The Z alignment detecting optical system26receives the reflection light of the Z alignment index light on the cornea Ec from a symmetrical direction to the optical axis O1of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21and detects a positional relationship between the apparatus body13(intraocular pressure measurement device20) and the cornea Ec in the Z-axis direction. The Z alignment detecting optical system26is composed of an imaging lens26a, a cylindrical lens26b, and a sensor26cwhich are arranged on an optical axis O3. The cylindrical lens26bhas power in the Y-axis direction. The sensor26cis a light-receiving sensor capable of detecting a light-receiving position on a light-receiving surface and can be configured by use of a line sensor or PSD (Position Sensitive Detector). In the embodiment, the line sensor is used. The sensor26cis connected to a Z alignment detection corrector32.

In the Z alignment detecting optical system26, the alignment index light is projected on the cornea Ec by the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, and the reflection flux reflected on the surface of the cornea Ec is moved to the imaging lens26a. In the Z alignment detecting optical system26, the reflection flux is focused by the imaging lens26a, moved to the cylindrical lens26b, and the image of bright spot is formed on the sensor26cby being condensed in the Y-axis direction with the cylindrical lens26b. The sensor26cis in a conjugate positional relationship with respect to the image of bright spot formed inside the inspected eye E by the Z alignment index projecting optical system25and the imaging lens26a, in the X-Z plane, and with respect to the apex Ea of cornea and the imaging lens26a, and the cylindrical lens26b, in the Y-Z plane. In other words, the sensor26cis in a conjugate position with the aperture stop25c(magnification at this time is set such that an image of the aperture stop25cis lesser than a size of the sensor26c), and even if the cornea Ec deviates in the Y-axis direction, the reflection flux on the surface of the cornea Ec is efficiently entered the sensor26c. The sensor26c(the Z alignment detecting optical system26) outputs a signal based on light reception of the formed image of bright spot to the Z alignment detection corrector32.

As shown inFIG. 3, the air flow blowing mechanism34includes an air compression chamber34ain which an air compression drive device34d(seeFIG. 1) is provided. The air compression drive device34dincludes a movable piston in the air compression chamber34aand an actuator that moves the piston. In the embodiment, the air compression drive device34dis provided above the intraocular pressure measurement device20(optical system thereof) in the apparatus body13. The air compression drive device34dis driven under the control of the controller33(seeFIG. 2) to compress air in the air compression chamber34a. The air flow blowing nozzle21bis attached to the air compression chamber34athrough the transparent glass plate34b, and the chamber window glass21dis disposed to face the air flow blowing nozzle. The air compression chamber34ais therefore prevented from interrupting the above-described function in the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21. Note that the air flow blowing nozzle21band the anterior ocular segment window glass21care contained in the nozzle projection21h(seeFIGS. 1, 6, and so on).

In addition, a pressure sensor34cthat detects a pressure of air in the air compression chamber34ais provided in the air compression chamber34a. The pressure sensor34cis connected to the controller33(seeFIG. 2), although it is not shown. The pressure sensor outputs a signal depending on the detected pressure to the controller33. The air flow blowing mechanism34can blow the air flow from the air flow blowing nozzle21btoward to the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E by compressing the air in the air compression chamber34aby the air compression drive device34d. By detecting the pressure in the air compression chamber34aby the pressure sensor34c, in the air flow blowing mechanism34, it is possible to acquire a pressure when blowing the air flow from the air flow blowing nozzle21b. Note that, in the air flow blowing mechanism34, instead of providing the pressure sensor34c, a change in pressure to a time may be set to be a predetermined characteristic in air flow to be blown.

The intraocular pressure measurement device20includes a driver (drive mechanism) that executes lighting control of the anterior ocular segment illuminating light source21a, the light source for X-Y alignment22a, the light source for fixation target23a, and the light source for Z alignment25a, and the controller33(seeFIG. 2) is connected to the driver. As a result, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the anterior ocular segment illuminating light source21a, the light source for X-Y alignment22a, the light source for fixation target23a, and the light source for Z alignment25acan be suitably lighted. In addition, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, as described above, under the control of the controller33, the CCD camera21iis suitably moved on the optical axis O1through the focusing drive mechanism21D, the generation processing of the image based on the image signal output from the CCD camera21iis executed, and the generated image is suitably displayed on the display14.

Next, schematic operation in measuring the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E by use of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is described. Here, the following operation in the intraocular pressure measurement device20is executed under the control of the controller33(seeFIG. 2). A power source switch of the ophthalmology apparatus10is first turned on and operation that executes measurement by use of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is displayed on the display14. Hereupon, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the anterior ocular segment illuminating light source21a, the light source for X-Y alignment22a, and the light source for fixation target23aare suitably lighted after the intraocular pressure measurement mode (seeFIG. 5A) is prepared, as described below. In this case, the flashing of each of the light sources21a,22a, and23acan be repeated in a different cycle to distinguish whether it is light from which source, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20.

In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the fixation target is projected on the inspected eye E by lighting the light source for fixation target23aof the fixation target projecting optical system23to fix the inspected eye E, that is to say, to fix the visual line of the subject, as shown inFIG. 3. In addition, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the parallel light flux is projected on the cornea Ec by lighting the light source for X-Y alignment22aof the X-Y alignment index projecting optical system22. In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the reflection light flux reflected on the cornea Ec is received on the CCD camera21iof the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21and the sensor24cof the applanation detecting optical system24. Furthermore, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the parallel light flux for alignment in the Z-axis direction is projected on the cornea Ec by lighting the light source for Z alignment25aof the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, as shown inFIG. 2. In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the reflection light flux reflected on the cornea Ec is received on the sensor26cof the Z alignment detecting optical system26.

In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the anterior ocular segment of the inspected eye E is illuminated by lighting the anterior ocular segment illuminating light source21aof the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21and the image of the anterior ocular segment of the inspected eye E is imaged on the CCD camera21i. In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the image of the anterior ocular segment of the inspected eye E, on which the image of bright spot of the X-Y alignment index light is formed, and the alignment auxiliary mark are displayed on the display14, although they are clearly not shown. The examiner operates an operation part displayed on the display14while looking at the display14, moves the apparatus body13upward, downward, rightward, and leftward, and executes the alignment such that the image of bright spot is displayed in a screen of the display14. In addition, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the Z alignment detection corrector32calculates a positional relationship between the apparatus body13and the cornea Ec in the Z-axis direction based on a light-receiving signal of the sensor26cof the Z alignment detecting optical system26and a calculation result of an X-Y alignment detection part31. In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the apparatus body13is suitably moved upward and downward (Y-axis direction), forward and backward (Z-axis direction), rightward and leftward (X-axis direction) relative to the base11to execute auto-alignment (automatic alignment adjustment) by suitably driving the driver12, that is, the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12cbased on the position in the X-Y direction acquired from the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21and the calculation result output from the Z alignment detection corrector32, under the control of the controller33.

In the intraocular pressure measurement device20, when the auto-alignment is completed, the controller33operates the air flow blowing mechanism34to blow air flow from the air flow blowing nozzle21bto the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E. Then, the surface of the cornea Ec is deformed to become a flat state (applanation) gradually. In a process where the cornea Ec becomes the flat state (applanation) gradually, when the surface of the cornea Ec is the flat state (applanation), the sensor24cof the applanation detecting optical system24has the maximum light-receiving quantity. Therefore, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the controller33determines that the surface of the cornea Ec is flattened (to be applanation) depending on a change in the light-receiving quantity of the sensor24c. In other words, in the applanation detecting optical system24(sensor24c), the applanation of the cornea Ec can be detected. Further, in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, the controller33obtains the intraocular pressure (calculates a value of the intraocular pressure) of the inspected eye E based on the output (pressure of the blown air flow) from the pressure sensor34cand displays the calculation result on the display14. Here, the controller33may acquire the intraocular pressure (calculate a value of the intraocular pressure) of the inspected eye E based on a time from when the blowing of the air flow is initiated by the air flow blowing nozzle21b(air flow blowing mechanism34) to when the fact that the surface of the cornea Ec is flattened (applanation) is detected.

Next, an optical configuration of the eye characteristic measurement device40is described with reference toFIG. 4. The eye characteristic measurement device40measures a shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and refracting power (spherical power, astigmatic power, an angle of astigmatic axis, and so on) of the inspected eye E. The eye characteristic measurement device40includes the fixation target projecting optical system41, an observation optical system42, a ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43, the light-receiving optical system44, and an alignment light projecting system45. The fixation target projecting optical system41projects the index on the eye ground Ef (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) of the inspected eye E to let the inspected eye E make fixation and fogging. The observation optical system42observes the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E. The ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43projects a pattern light flux as a ring-shaped index for measuring eye's refractive power on the eye ground Ef of the inspected eye E to measure the eye's refractive power of the inspected eye E. The light-receiving optical system44receives an image of the ring-shaped index for measuring eye's refractive power, reflected on the eye ground Ef of the inspected eye E on an imager44das described below. The ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43and the light-receiving optical system44constitute an optical system for measuring the shape of the cornea and the eye's refractive power, together with the observation optical system42and ring-shaped index projecting light sources for measuring cornea shape46A,46B, and46C as described below. The alignment light projecting system45projects index light to the inspected eye E to detect an alignment state in the X-Y direction. A working distance detecting optical system which is not shown is provided in an optical system of the eye characteristic measurement device40to detect a working distance between the inspected eye E and the apparatus body13.

The fixation target projecting optical system41includes a fixation target light source41a, a collimator lens41b, an index plate41c, a relay lens41d, a mirror41e, a dichroic mirror41f, a dichroic mirror41g, and an object lens41hwhich are arranged on an optical axis O11. The index plate41cis provided with a target to let the inspected eye E make fixation and fogging. The fixation target light source41a, the collimator lens41b, and the index plate41cconfigure a fixation target unit41U and are integrally movable along the optical axis O11of the fixation target projecting optical system41by the fixation target moving mechanism41D to let the inspected eye E make fixation and fogging. Here, positions where the dichroic mirror41gand the object lens41hare disposed are on a main optical axis O10of the eye characteristic measurement device40, as described below.

In the fixation target projecting optical system41, visible light is emitted from the fixation target light source41a, and after the visible light is formed in a parallel light flux by the collimator lens41b, the parallel light flux is formed as a target light flux by passing through the index plate41c. In addition, in the fixation target projecting optical system41, the target light flux is reflected on the mirror41eafter it passes through relay lens41d, passes through the dichroic mirror41f, and goes to the dichroic mirror41g. In the fixation target projecting optical system41, the target light flux is reflected on the dichroic mirror41gto go on the main optical axis O10of the eye characteristic measurement device40and goes to the inspected eye E through the object lens41h. The fixation target projecting optical system41fixes the visual line of the subject by letting the subject gaze at the target light flux (fixation target) projected on the inspected eye E as the fixation target. In addition, the fixation target projecting optical system41sets the inspected eye E to a fogging state by moving the fixation target unit41U from a state letting the subject gaze at the fixation target to a position where the fixation target is not brought on focus.

The observation optical system42includes an illumination light source which is not shown and includes a half mirror42a, a relay lens42b, an imaging lens42c, and an imager42d, and shares the fixation target projecting optical system41, the object lens41h, and the dichroic mirror41g. The imager42dis a two-dimensional solid-state image sensor and uses a CMOS image sensor in the embodiment.

In the observation optical system42, the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) of the inspected eye E is illuminated with an illumination light flux emitted from the illumination light source, and the illumination light flux reflected on the anterior ocular segment is acquired by the object lens41h. In the observation optical system42, the reflected illumination light flux passes through the object lens41h, the dichroic mirror41g, the half mirror42a, the relay lens42b, and is imaged on the imager42d(light-receiving surface thereof) by the imaging lens42c. The imager42doutputs an image signal based on the acquired image to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The controller33displays the image of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) on the display14based on the input image signal. In the observation optical system42, it is therefore possible to form the image of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) on the imager42d(the light-receiving surface) and display the image of the anterior ocular segment on the display14. Here, when measuring the refractive power after the alignment completion, the illumination light source of the observation optical system42is turned off.

The ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43includes a light source for measuring eye's refractive power43a, a lens43b, a conical prism43c, a ring index plate43d, a lens43e, a band pass filter43f, a pupil ring43g, a perforated prism43h, and a rotary prism43iand shares the fixation target projecting optical system41, the dichroic mirror41f, the dichroic mirror41g, and the object lens41h. The light source for measuring eye's refractive power43aand the pupil ring43gare arranged in an optically conjugate position, and the ring index plate43dand the eye ground Ef of the inspected eye E are arranged in an optically conjugate position. In addition, the light source for measuring eye's refractive power43a, the lens43b, the conical prism43c, and the ring index plate43dconstitute an index unit43U. The index unit43U is integrally movable along an optical axis O13of the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43by the index moving mechanism43D.

In the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43, the light flux emitted from the light source for measuring eye's refractive power43aforms in a parallel light flux by the lens43band the parallel light flux goes to the ring index plate43dthrough the conical prism43c. The parallel light flux transmits a ring-shaped pattern portion provided on the ring index plate43dto be formed in a pattern light flux as a ring-shaped index for measuring eyes refractive power. In the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43, the pattern light flux is moved to the perforated prism43hthrough the lens43e, the band pass filter43f, and the pupil ring43g, reflected on a reflection surface of the perforated prism43h, and moved to the dichroic mirror41fthrough the rotary prism43i. Then, in the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43, the pattern light flux is reflected on the dichroic mirror41gafter it is reflected on the dichroic mirror41f, thereby moving to the main optical axis O10of the eye characteristic measurement device40. Furthermore, in the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43, the pattern light flux is imaged on the eye ground Ef (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) of the inspected eye E by the object lens41h.

The ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43is provided with ring-shaped index projecting light sources for measuring cornea shape46A,46B, and46C disposed in front of the object lens41h. The ring-shaped index projecting light sources for measuring cornea shape46A,46B, and46C are arranged at a predetermined distance from the inspected eye E (cornea Ec) on the ring pattern47and coaxially arranged with respect to the optical axis O10, and project ring-shaped index light for measuring cornea shape on the inspected light E (cornea Ec). A ring-shaped index for measuring cornea shape is formed on the cornea Ec by projecting the ring-shaped index light for measuring cornea shape on the cornea Ec of the inspected light E. The ring-shaped index (light flux thereof) for measuring cornea shape is reflected on the cornea Ec of the inspected light E, and thereby the ring-shaped index is imaged on the imager42dby the observation optical system42. In the observation optical system42, it is therefore possible to display an image of the ring-shaped index for measuring cornea shape on the display14to overlap on the image of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec).

The light-receiving optical system44includes a hole44aof the perforated prism43h, a mirror44b, a lens44c, and an imager44d, and shares the fixation target projecting optical system41, the object lens41h, the dichroic mirror41g, the dichroic mirror41f, and the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43and the rotary prism43i. The imager44dis a two-dimensional solid-state image sensor and uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor in the embodiment. The imager44dis movable along an optical axis O14of the light-receiving optical system44by the index moving mechanism43D in conjunction with the index unit43U of the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43.

In the light-receiving optical system44, the pattern reflection light flux guided to the eye ground Ef (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) by the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43and reflected on the eye ground Ef is focused by the object lens41hand reflected on the dichroic mirror41fafter it is reflected on the dichroic mirror41g, and moved to the rotary prism43i. Then, in the light-receiving optical system44, the reflected pattern reflection light flux is moved to the hole44aof the perforated prism43hthrough the rotary prism43iand passes through the hole44a. In the light-receiving optical system44, the pattern reflection light flux passed through the hole44ais reflected on the mirror44band is configured to image the pattern reflection light flux, that is, the ring-shaped index for measuring eye's refractive power on the imager44d(the light-receiving surface) by the lens44c. The imager44doutputs an image signal based on the acquired image to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The controller33displays the image of the ring-shaped index for measuring eye's refractive power on the display14(seeFIG. 1) based on the input image signal. In the light-receiving optical system44, it is therefore possible to form the image of the ring-shaped index for measuring eye's refractive power on the imager44d(light-receiving surface) and display the image of the ring-shaped index for measuring eye's refractive power on the display14.

The alignment light projecting system45includes an LED45a, a pinhole45b, and a lens45cand shares the observation optical system42and the half mirror42a, and the fixation target projecting optical system41, the dichroic mirror41gand the object lens41h. In the alignment light projecting system45, the light flux emitted from the LED45apasses through the pinhole45b(hole thereof) to be an alignment index light flux, is reflected on the half mirror42athrough the lens45c, and moved onto the main optical axis O10of the eye characteristic measurement device40. Then, in the alignment light projecting system45, the alignment index light flux passes through the dichroic mirror41gand is moved to the object lens41h, and projected on the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E as the alignment index light flux passing through the object lens41h. The alignment light projecting system45has a function to automatically align the apparatus body to the inspected eye E by projecting the alignment index light flux on the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E. The alignment index light flux projected on the inspected eye E as the parallel light is reflected on the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E, and the image of bright spot as an alignment index image is projected on the imager42dby the observation optical system42. When the image of bright spot is positioned in an alignment mark formed by an optical system which is not shown, the alignment is completed.

The eye characteristic measurement device40includes a driver (drive mechanism) that executes lighting control of the fixation target light source41a, the illumination light source of the observation optical system42, the light source for measuring eye's refractive power43a, the LED45a, and the light sources for measuring cornea shape46A,46B,46C. The controller33(seeFIG. 2) is connected to the driver. In the eye characteristic measurement device40, the fixation target light source41a, the illumination light source of the observation optical system42, the light source for measuring eye's refractive power43a, the LED45a, and the light sources for measuring cornea shape46A,46B,46C are therefore suitably lighted under the control of the controller33. Moreover, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, under the control of the controller33, the fixation target unit41U is integrally moved by the fixation target moving mechanism41D along the optical axis O13, and the index unit43U is integrally moved by the index moving mechanism43D along the optical axis O13and the imager44dis moved along the optical axis O14, as described above. Furthermore, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, under the control of the controller33, generation processing of images is executed based on image signals output from the imagers42dand44dand the generated images are suitably displayed on the display14, as described above.

Next, schematic operation in measuring the shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and the refractive power (the spherical power, the astigmatic power, the astigmatic axis angle, and so on) of the inspected eye E by use of the eye characteristic measurement device40is described. Note that the following operation in the eye characteristic measurement device40is executed under the control of the controller33(seeFIG. 2). The power source of the ophthalmology apparatus10is first turned on to display operation that executes measurement by use of the eye characteristic measurement device40on the display14. As a result, after the eye characteristic measurement mode (seeFIG. 5B) is formed in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the image of the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec) is displayed on the display14by lighting the illumination light source in the observation optical system42. Then, the examiner operates the operation part displayed on the display14such that the pupil of the inspected eye E is positioned in the screen of the display14to move the apparatus body13upward and downward, and rightward and leftward, thereby executing the schematic alignment of the apparatus body13relative to the inspected eye E. Here, in the eye characteristic measurement device40(controller33), it is possible to detect the pupil from the image of the anterior ocular segment based on the image signal output from the imager42d. The detection of the pupil is executed, for example, by previously storing a shape to be recognized as the pupil in the image of the anterior ocular segment and detecting the shape to be recognized based on contrast in the image. Therefore, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, for example, in a case where the inspected eye E which is the target of the measurement is switched rightward and leftward, the above-described schematic alignment can be automatically executed by detecting the pupil based on the image while rightward and leftward moving the apparatus body13in accordance with the switching and moving the apparatus body13(the eye characteristic measurement device40) considering the detected pupil to be the target position.

As a result, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the image of bright spot as the alignment index image is displayed on the display14by the observation optical system42. Thereafter, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the alignment detection based on the alignment light projecting system45and the working distance detecting optical system (not shown) is initiated. That is to say, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the automatic alignment (adjustment of automatic alignment) is executed by suitably moving the apparatus body13upward and downward (Y-axis direction), forward and backward (Z-axis direction), and rightward and leftward (X-axis direction) relative to the base11to position the image of bright spot as the alignment index image in the alignment mark. Thereby, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the automatic alignment of the apparatus body13relative to the apex of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E is completed.

Consequently, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the light sources for measuring cornea shape46A,46B,46C of the ring-shaped index projecting optical system for measuring eye's refractive power43are lighted to project the ring-shaped index for measuring cornea shape on the cornea Ec. Then, in the controller33, the shape of the cornea Ec is measured from the image of the ring-shaped index for measuring cornea shape projected on the cornea Ec based on the image (image signal from the imager42d) displayed on the display14. A description of measurement of shape of the cornea Ec is omitted since a detail thereof is known. The controller33can measure the spherical power, the astigmatic power, and the astigmatic axis angle as the eye's refractive power by a well-known measurer. Note that a configuration of the well-known measurer for the eye's refractive power is the same as that disclosed in JP2002-253506A, but is not limited to this. In this way, the controller33executes the measurement of the shape of the cornea Ec and the measurement of the eye's refractive power (optical characteristic). Note that the controller33suitably stores an operation result and so on in a storage (not shown).

In the ophthalmology apparatus10in the embodiment, the intraocular pressure measurement device20is provided above the eye characteristic measurement device40, and the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40are attached to an attachment base and fixed to each other. In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40are integrally configured so that it is not necessary to change a positional relationship therebetween. The attachment base, that is, the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40attached to the attachment base (apparatus body13) are suitably moved upward and downward (Y-axis direction), forward and backward (Z-axis direction), and rightward and leftward (X-axis direction) relative to the base11by the driver12, that is, the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12c. Then, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, by moving the apparatus body13relative to the base11by the driver12(the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12c), each of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40can be moved to a position corresponding to the inspected eye E (face of the subject) fixed by the jaw rest15and the forehead support16(seeFIGS. 5A and 5B).

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, by moving the apparatus body13(attachment base) upward and downward (Y-axis direction) relative to the base11by the Y-axis driving part12aof the driver12, the intraocular pressure measurement device20can be adapted to correspond to a height position of the inspected eye E by positioning the inspected eye E on an extension line of the optical axis O1of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21of the intraocular pressure measurement device20(seeFIG. 5A). In the ophthalmology apparatus10, the tip of the air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h) of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is positioned from the inspected eye E (apex Ea of the cornea) to the second setting working distance d2by forward and backward (in Z-axis direction) moving the apparatus body by the Z-axis driving part12bof the driver12, as shown inFIG. 5A. The second setting working distance d2is 11 mm in the embodiment. This state is the measurement mode, that is, the intraocular pressure measurement mode.

Also, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, by upward and downward (in Y-axis direction) moving the apparatus body13(attachment base) relative to the base11by the Y-axis driving part12aof the driver12, the inspected eye E is positioned on an extension line of the main optical axis O10of the eye characteristic measurement device40to be capable of corresponding the eye characteristic measurement device40to a height position of the inspected eye E (seeFIG. 5B). In the ophthalmology apparatus10, a front end (a ring pattern47in the embodiment) of the eye characteristic measurement device40is positioned from the inspected eye E to the first setting working distance d1by forward and backward (in Z-axis direction) moving the apparatus body by the Z-axis driving part12bof the driver12, as shown inFIG. 5B. Note that the front end of the eye characteristic measurement device40means a part closest to the subject in the eye characteristic measurement device40, the part is the ring pattern47in the embodiment. The first setting working distance d1is about 80 mm in the embodiment. This state is the measurement mode by the eye characteristic measurement device40, that is, the eye characteristic measurement mode.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, following the above, a front end (air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h)) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is displaced from the front end (ring pattern47) of the eye characteristic measurement device40to the positive side (subject's side) in the Z-axis direction, in the embodiment. This is for the following reason. When the ophthalmology apparatus10is in the intraocular pressure measurement mode in accordance with the above configuration, the ring pattern47which is the front end of the eye characteristic measurement device40is positioned in front of the nose or the mouth of the subject, as shown inFIG. 5A. In addition, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the eye characteristic measurement device40are integrally configured not to change the positional relationship. If the front end of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the front end of the eye characteristic measurement device40are therefore in an equal position as viewed in the Z-axis direction (forward and backward), for example, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the ring pattern47is in contact with the nose or the mouth of the subject, or the ring pattern47gives a sense that it is an obstacle to the subject, even though the ring pattern47is not in contact with the nose or the mouth of the subject, in the intraocular pressure measurement mode. In view of this, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, a space is secured in front of the nose or the mouth of the subject at the time of the intraocular pressure measurement mode by displaying the front end (air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h)) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20to the positive side in the Z-axis direction from the front end (ring pattern47) of the eye characteristic measurement device40.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, following the above, the first setting working distance d1from the inspected eye E (apex Ea of the cornea) when executing the measurement to the front end (ring pattern47in the embodiment) of the eye characteristic measurement device40in the embodiment is 75 mm or more (80 mm in the embodiment). This is for the following reason. The first setting working distance d1is a distance capable of executing the measurement of the inspected eye E by the eye characteristic measurement device40. This distance becomes a reference position in a case where the eye characteristic measurement device is moved in the Z-axis direction in accordance with the inspected eye E (the state thereof) when executing the measurement by the eye characteristic measurement device40. Therefore, in the eye characteristic measurement device40, a moving width to move from the first setting working distance d1to the positive side and the negative side in the Z-axis direction is set. The moving width is ±20 mm in the embodiment. Moreover, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the front end (air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h)) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is displayed from the front end (ring pattern47) of the eye characteristic measurement device40to the positive side in the Z-axis direction, as described above. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, in the case of the eye characteristic measurement mode, the air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h) which is the front end of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is positioned to face the forehead support16fixing the face of the subject together with the jaw rest15, as shown inFIG. 5B. Accordingly, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, there is a possibility that the front end (the air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h)) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20interferes with the forehead support16when moving to the positive side (subject side) in the Z-axis direction with the moving width as described above, if the first setting working distance d1in the eye characteristic measurement device40is small. In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, it is necessary to increase the first setting working distance d1to allow the eye characteristic measurement device40to move from the first setting working distance d1in the Z-axis direction with the moving width as described above. From this, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the first setting working distance d1is set to be 75 mm or more in the eye characteristic measurement device40and is about 80 mm in the embodiment. Note that the setting of the first setting working distance d1can execute by adjusting the setting of each optical member in the eye characteristic measurement device40. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, even if the front end (air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h)) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is displayed from the front end (ring pattern47) of the eye characteristic measurement device40to the positive side in Z-axis direction, the front end (air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h)) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is certainly prevented from interfering with the forehead support16in the eye characteristic measurement mode.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, in general, after the shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and the refractive power (the spherical power, the astigmatic power, the astigmatic axis angle, and so on) of the inspected eye E are measured by the eye characteristic measurement device40, the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E is measured by the intraocular pressure measurement device20. In the ophthalmology apparatus10, the controller33(seeFIG. 2) controls the operation of each part based on the operations displayed on the display14, as described above.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, when the power switch is turned on, an intraocular pressure witching icon which is the intraocular pressure measurement mode and an eye characteristic switching icon which is the eye characteristic measurement mode are displayed on the display14. Here, in the display14, if selection and switching of the intraocular pressure measurement mode and the eye characteristic measurement mode can be executed, instead of the display of the intraocular pressure witching icon and the eye characteristic measurement mode, a single switching icon or other type icon may be displayed, without being limited to the configuration in the embodiment. In addition, an order of the measurement is previously set, after the measurement of the right and left eyes by the eye characteristic measurement device40, this measurement may be automatically transferred to the measurement (intraocular pressure measurement mode) by the intraocular pressure measurement device20. In the embodiment, the eye characteristic switching icon of the display has been touched (selected) to previously measure the shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and the refractive power (the spherical power, the astigmatic power, the astigmatic axis angle, and so on) of the inspected eye E by the eye characteristic measurement device40.

Accordingly, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the eye characteristic measurement mode is set by suitably driving the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12cof the driver12(seeFIG. 5B). In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the eye characteristic measurement device40is configured to correspond to the inspected eye E so as to position the inspected eye E on the extension line of the main optical axis O10of the eye characteristic measurement device40and the object lens41hof the fixation target projecting optical system41of the eye characteristic measurement device40from the inspected eye E to the first setting working distance d1, as shown inFIG. 5B. As a result, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and the refractive power (the spherical power, the astigmatic power, the astigmatic axis angle, and so on) of the inspected eye E are measured by the above-mentioned operation of the eye characteristic measurement device40. Thereafter, the eye characteristic switching icon of the display has been touched (selected) to measure the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E.

Accordingly, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the intraocular pressure measurement mode is set by suitably driving the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12cof the driver12(seeFIG. 5A). Here, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the apparatus body13is first moved to the negative side in the Y-axis direction to set the intraocular pressure measurement device20to a height position corresponding to the inspected eye E. At this time, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the position on the optical axis O1of the CCD camera21iby the focusing drive mechanism21D is set to be the second focus position f2(seeFIG. 3). Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the image of the inspected eye E (the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec)) can be suitably displayed on the display14. Thereafter, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the apparatus body13is moved to the positive side in the Z-axis direction to approximate the intraocular pressure measurement device20to the inspected eye E and the intraocular pressure measurement device20corresponds to the inspected eye E to position the tip of the air flow blowing nozzle21b(nozzle projection21h) from the inspected eye E to the second setting working distance d2, as shown inFIG. 5A. At this time, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the position on the optical axis O1of the CCD camera21iis moved to the first focus position f1(seeFIG. 3) by the focusing drive mechanism21D. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the image of the inspected eye E (the anterior ocular segment (cornea Ec)) can be suitably displayed on the display14. In addition, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E is measured by the above-mentioned operation of the intraocular pressure measurement device20.

Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the shape of the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E and the refractive power (the spherical power, the astigmatic power, the astigmatic axis angle, and so on) of the inspected eye E can be measured by the eye characteristic measurement device40and the intraocular pressure of the inspected eye E can be measured by the intraocular pressure measurement device20.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the ophthalmology apparatus10according to the present invention is described with reference toFIGS. 6 to 10A and 10B. Here, inFIG. 6, a positional relationship between the nozzle projection21h(apparatus body13) and the forehead support16at the height position HL is shown, but this merely shows a concept of the height position intelligibly and does not necessarily correspond to a positional relationship in an actual apparatus. InFIGS. 7A to 7D, a positional relationship between the nozzle projection21h(apparatus body13) and the forehead support16at each front position is shown, but this merely shows a concept of each front position intelligibly and does not necessarily correspond to a positional relationship in an actual apparatus.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, a height position detector48that detects that the apparatus body13reaches the predetermined height position HL is provided on the apparatus body13, as shown inFIG. 6. The height position HL is set from a viewpoint preventing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20from interfering with the forehead support16. When the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL, the height position detector48outputs a signal representing the fact to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). Therefore, when the controller33receives the signal that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL from the height position detector48, the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is positioned at a first height position H1(see the nozzle projection21hshown in an imaginary line, andFIGS. 7A and 7Bcapable of interfering with the forehead support16. On the contrary, when the controller33does not receive the signal from the height position detector48, the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is positioned at a second height position H2(see the nozzle projection21hshown in an imaginary line, andFIGS. 7C and 7Dwhich does not interfere with the forehead support16. When the controller33acquires the signal from the height position detector48, it stops the upward moving of the apparatus body13in the case of the intraocular pressure measurement mode, or in a case where the intraocular pressure measurement device20exists in the positive side (subject side) of the Z-axis direction from a predetermined forward and backward position. The predetermined forward and backward position is set from a viewpoint preventing the air flow blowing nozzle21bfrom interfering with the forehead support16as viewed in the Z-axis direction and uses the first front position FL1(seeFIG. 7A) as described below in the embodiment.

When the controller33acquires the signal that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL from the height position detector48, the controller stops the upward movement of the apparatus body13and executes control depending on a situation of moving the apparatus body13upward (positive side in the Y-axis direction). As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to display on the display14that the apparatus body cannot be further moved in a case where the apparatus body13is moved upward based on the operation executed on the display14, or the apparatus body13is moved upward after the apparatus body13is retreated (moved) backward (negative side in the Z-axis direction) in the forward and backward direction. In addition, as the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out that the apparatus body13is moved upward after the apparatus body13is retreated (moved) backward (negative side in the Z-axis direction) in the forward and backward direction, in the case of moving the apparatus body to switch from the intraocular pressure measurement device20to the eye characteristic measurement device40. Furthermore, in the controller33, when executing the automatic alignment in the intraocular pressure measurement device20, when acquiring the signal from the height position detector48, the inspected eye E is detected again. This is because letting the apparatus body13reach the height position HL when executing the automatic alignment in the intraocular pressure measurement device20means to fail in detecting the inspected eye E which is a standard of the alignment.

When the power switch of the ophthalmology apparatus10is turned on, the controller33determines whether the signal that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL is output from the height position detector48before executing the movement of the apparatus body13. If the signal is not output from the height position detector48, the controller33executes the movement of the apparatus body13. If the signal is output from the height position detector48, the controller33does not execute the upward movement of the apparatus body13and executes control depending on a situation. As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to display on the display14that the apparatus body13cannot be further upward moved, if the operation moving upward the apparatus body13is executed in the display14, or move upward the apparatus body13after the apparatus body13is retreated (moved) backward (negative side in the Z-axis direction) in the forward and backward direction. As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to move upward the apparatus body13after the apparatus body13is retreated (moved) backward (negative side in the Z-axis direction) in the forward and backward direction, in the case of moving the apparatus body to switch from the intraocular pressure measurement device20to the eye characteristic measurement device40. As a result, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, for example, even if the operation of switching from the intraocular pressure measurement device20to the eye characteristic measurement device40is executed and the power switch is turned off in a state where the height position detector48outputs the above-mentioned signal, it is possible to move the apparatus body13while certainly preventing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) from interfering with the forehead support16, when the power switch is turned on again. Here, although the height position detector48is provided on the apparatus body13in an example shown inFIG. 6, it actually may be provided on the Y-axis driving part12aof the driver12, controlling the height direction, that is, the position in the Y-axis direction of the apparatus body13, or on places without being limited to the embodiment.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, a front position detector49that detects that the apparatus body13reaches each of the front positions (FL1to FL4) is provided on the apparatus body13, as shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D. As the front positions, the first front position FL1, the second front position FL2, the third front position FL3, and the fourth front position FL4are set in the embodiment. The front positions (FL1to FL4) represent the tip of the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) as the standard, in an example shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D. This is because the understanding can be easily accomplished by representing the tip as the standard from that the first front position FL1and the second front position FL2are set to be provided at a predetermined interval between the tip of the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16. Even regarding the third front position FL3and the fourth front position FL4, the understanding can be easily accomplished by using the same standard as in the first front position FL1and the second front position FL2.

The first front position FL1is set from a viewpoint of preventing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20from interfering with the forehead support16in the case of the eye characteristic measurement mode, basically, as shown inFIG. 7A. In other words, the first front position FL1is set to be capable of providing a first interval i1between the tip of the nozzle projection21hand the forehead support16when the apparatus body13is disposed at the first height position H1at which the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16can be interfered. The first interval i1is set to be a small value as possible on the assumption that the tip of the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) can be certainly prevented from interfering with the forehead support16. The first interval i1is set to be 1 mm in the embodiment. The first front position FL1is therefore set to be 1 mm as the position of the apparatus body13, which is the first interval i1between the tip of the nozzle projection21hand the forehead support16, in the embodiment. The first interval i1(first front position FL1) may be suitably set, without being limited to the embodiment. In addition, the first interval i1may be suitably set by a user (examiner).

The second front position FL2is set to be capable of providing a second interval i2larger than the first interval i1between the tip of the nozzle projection21hand the forehead support16, in the case of the eye characteristic measurement mode, basically, as shown inFIG. 7B. The second interval i2is set from a viewpoint preventing the hand H (seeFIG. 8) put on the forehead support16from being interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the forehead support16when the apparatus body13is disposed at the first height position H1at which the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16can be interfered. This is because it is considered that the subject grips the forehead support16with the hand H (engaging the hand with the forehead support) to stabilize the subject's face, as shown inFIG. 8. In addition, this is because it is considered that, for example, the examiner is in contact with the forehead support when the examiner opens the eyelid of the subject, although it is not shown. In this way, the second interval i2is set from the viewpoint that the hand H is prevented from being interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16and is 15 mm in the embodiment. The second front position FL2is therefore set to be 15 mm as the position of the apparatus body13, which is the second interval i2between the tip of the nozzle projection21hand the forehead support16, in the embodiment. The second interval i2(second front position FL2) may be suitably set, without being limited to the embodiment. In addition, the first interval i1may be suitably set by the user (examiner).

The third front position FL3is set from a viewpoint preventing the hand H (seeFIG. 8) put on the forehead support16from being interposed between a wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism, which is an outer wall surface above the nozzle projection21hand the forehead support16in the intraocular pressure measurement device20(apparatus body13), in the case of the eye characteristic measurement mode, basically, as shown inFIG. 7C. The third front position FL3is therefore set to be capable of providing the second interval i2between the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism and the forehead support16, when the apparatus body13is disposed at the second height position H2at which the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16do not interfere. Note that the third front position FL3may be set to be different from the second interval i2between the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism and the forehead support16, without being limited to the embodiment.

The fourth front position FL4is set from a viewpoint that the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is prevented from interfering with the forehead support16, in the case of the eye characteristic measurement mode, basically, as shown inFIG. 7D. That is to say, the third front position FL3is set to be capable of providing the first interval i1between the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism and the forehead support16, when the apparatus body13is disposed at the second height position H2at which the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16do not interfere. Note that the fourth front position FL4may be set to be different from the first interval i1between the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism and the forehead support16, without being limited to the embodiment.

When the apparatus body13reaches each of the front positions (FL1to FL4), the front position detector49outputs a signal representing the fact to the controller33(seeFIG. 2). Here, because each of the front positions is set as described above, when the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h) is positioned between the first front position FL1and the second front position FL2, the front position detector49outputs a signal representing that the apparatus body reaches the second front position FL2to the controller33. Similarly, when the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air blowing mechanism) is positioned between the third front position FL3and the fourth front position FL4, the front position detector49outputs a signal showing that the apparatus body reaches the third front position FL3to the controller33. In the controller33, control depending on a situation as described below is basically executed for every signal from the front position detector49. Here, in a case where the controller33acquires the signal (first height position H1) positioned at the height position HL from the front position detector49, there is a possibility of acquiring from the front position detector49a signal that the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) reaches the first front position FL1or the second front position FL2. Here, regardless of the height position, in a case where the front position detector49is configured to output the signal, the controller33does not execute any control even if it acquires from the front position detector49the signal reaching the third front position FL3or the fourth front position FL4, in the case of the first height position H1. In a case where the controller33does not receive the signal positioned at the height position HL from the front position detector49(the case of the second height position H2), there is a possibility of acquiring from the front position detector49the signal that the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air blowing mechanism) reaches the third front position FL3or the fourth front position FL4. Here, regardless of the height position, in a case where the front position detector49is configured to output the signal, the controller33does not execute any control even if it acquires from the front position detector49the signal reaching the first front position FL1or the second front position FL2, in case of the second height position H2.

When the controller33acquires the signal that the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) reaches the first front position FL1from the front position detector49, it stops the forward movement of the apparatus body13. In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10(controller33), if the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is in the first height position H1, the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) rather than the first front position FL1is set as a movement prohibition area. In the controller33, control depending on a situation forward moving the apparatus body13is executed in accordance with the stop of the forward movement of the apparatus body13. As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to display on the display14that the apparatus body cannot be further moved forward, in a case where the apparatus body13is forward moved based on the operation executed in the display14. When the power switch of the ophthalmology apparatus10is turned on, the controller33determines whether the signal that the apparatus body reaches the first front position FL1is output from the front position detector49, before executing the movement of the apparatus body13. Then, the controller33suitably executes the movement of the apparatus body13, in cases where the controller33acquires the signal that the apparatus body is in the height position HL from the height position detector48and where the signal that the apparatus body reaches the first front position FL1is not output from the front position detector49. In addition, the controller33does not execute the forward movement of the apparatus body13and executes control depending on a situation, in a case where the signal that the apparatus body reaches the first front position FL1is output from the front position detector49. As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to display on the display14that the apparatus body cannot be further moved forward, in a case where the apparatus body13is forward moved based on the operation executed in the display14.

When the controller33acquires from the front position detector49the signal that apparatus body (nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) reaches the second front position FL2, it emits a warning. In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10(controller33), if the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is in the first height position H1, the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) rather than the second front position FL2is set as a movement warning area. The warning is executed by emitting warning sound from a warning sound generator51provided on the apparatus body13under control of the controller33, in the embodiment. Here, the warning may be executed by providing a warning lamp on the apparatus body13and lighting (blinking) the warning lamp under the control of the controller33, displaying the warning on the display14, and providing a vibration generator on the apparatus body13and generating vibration by the vibration generator, without being limited to the configuration in the embodiment. The controller33may temporarily stop the forward movement of the apparatus body13when emitting the warning. In this case, after the movement is temporarily stopped, when the apparatus body13is forward moved again, or the operation that the automatic alignment is continued is executed, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is permitted again. This is because it depends on user's intentions continuing the operation after the recognition of warning and the confirmation of safety of the user (examiner) to execute operation in which the apparatus body13is forward moved or the automatic alignment is continued. As the confirmation of safety, it is pointed out to fail to put the hand H on the forehead support16, separate the hand H from forehead16, or let the subject stop putting the hand H on the forehead support16. Moreover, by previously setting a time temporarily stopping, the forward movement of the apparatus body13may be permitted again after the lapse of the set time. Furthermore, in a case where a hand detector which can detect that the hand H is put on the forehead support16is provided, as described below, the forward movement of the apparatus body13may be permitted again, when detecting that the hand H is separated from the forehead support16.

Moreover, when the controller33acquires the signal that the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) reaches the third front position FL3, it executes the same control as the case of acquiring the signal of the second front position FL2and emits the warming. In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10(controller33), if the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is in the second height position H2, the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) rather than the third front position FL3is as the movement warning area. Even in this case, when emitting a warning similar to the case of acquiring the signal of the second front position FL2, the forward movement of the apparatus body13may be temporarily stopped.

In addition, the controller33acquires the signal that the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) reaches the fourth front position FL4from the front position detector49, it stops the forward movement of the apparatus body13. In other words, in the ophthalmology apparatus10(controller33), if the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is in the second height position H2, the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) rather than the fourth front position FL4is set as the movement prohibition area. The controller33executes the control depending on the situation forward moving the apparatus body13in accordance with the stop of the forward movement of the apparatus body13. As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to display on the display14that the apparatus body cannot be further forward moved, in the case of forward moving the apparatus body13based on the operation executed on the display14. When the power switch of the ophthalmology apparatus10is turned on, the controller33determines whether the signal that the apparatus body reaches the fourth front position FL4is output from the front position detector49, before executing the movement of the apparatus body13. When the controller33acquires the signal of the second height position H2from the height position detector48and the signal reaching the fourth front position FL4is not output from the front position detector49, the controller suitably executes the movement of the apparatus body13. In addition, the controller33does not execute the forward movement of the apparatus body13and executes control depending on a situation, in a case where the signal reaching the fourth front position FL4is output from the front position detector49. As the control depending on the situation, for example, it is pointed out to display on the display14that the apparatus body cannot be further forward moved, when executing the operation forward moving the apparatus body with the display14.

The front position detector49is provided on the apparatus body13in the example shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D, but may be actually provided on the Z-axis driving part12bof the driver12controlling the front-back direction, that is, the position in the Z-axis direction of the apparatus body13, or on other parts, without being limited to the embodiment. The warning sound generator51is provided on the apparatus body13in the example shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D, but may be provided on other parts, without being limited to the embodiment, if the examiner or the subject can hear the warning sound.

Next, safety ensuring notifying processing that executes a method of notifying safety ensuring as one embodiment for safety ensuring executed in the controller33in moving the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is described with reference toFIG. 9.FIG. 9is a flow chart illustrating the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring) executed in the controller33in the embodiment. The controller33executes the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring) based on a program stored in the storage provided inside the controller33, or a storage provided outside the controller33. Note that the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring) is to control the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction), if movement in the other directions together with this movement is executed, this movement does not influence the movement in the other directions. Here, the movement in the other directions can be controlled by other control (for example, the control by the signal from the height position detector48described above)

In the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring), when the signal that the apparatus body reaches each front position (the first front position FL1, the second front position FL2, the third front position FL3, and the fourth front position FL4) is input in the controller33from the front position detector49, the controller executes notification or limitation to the movement in accordance with the signal. In the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring), determination processing is executed by combination of the signal whether the apparatus body reaches the height position HL from the height position detector48, that is, the signal whether the apparatus body positions at the first height position H1or the second height position H2. Each step (each process) in the flow chart of the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring) as shown inFIG. 9is described as follows. The flow chart (the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring)) is executed while the apparatus body13is moved to the inspected eye E (positive side in the Z-axis direction) regardless of the movement by the operation of the examiner (manual movement) or the movement by automation (automatic movement).

In step S1, various information regarding the safety ensuring notifying processing is acquired, and the processing proceeds to step S2. In step S1, the various information used for determination in the safety ensuring notifying processing is acquired. In the embodiment, the various information includes presence or absence of the signal from the height position detector48, that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL, presence or absence and a type of the signal from the front position detector49, that the apparatus body13reaches each front position (FL1to FL4), and whether a notification function which is described below is valid.

In step S2, whether the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL is determined, following the acquisition of the various information regarding the safety ensuring notifying processing in step S1, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S3, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S8. It is determined in step S2that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL, that is, the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is positioned at the first height position H1, in the case of receiving from the height position detector48the signal representing that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL. In this case, in step S2, because the nozzle projection21his in the first height position H1, the processing proceeds to step S3to use the signal from the front position detector49, representing that the apparatus body reaches the first front position FL1of the second front position FL2. In addition, in step S2, if the signal is not received from the height position detector48, it is determined that the apparatus body13does not reach the height position HL, in other words, the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20is positioned at the second height position H2. In this case, in step S2, because the nozzle projection21his in the second height position H2, the processing proceeds to step S8to use the signal from the front position detector49, representing that the apparatus body reaches the third front position FL3of the fourth front position FL4.

In step S3, whether the notification function is valid is determined, following the determination that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL in step S2, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S4, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S6. In step S3, whether the notification function is valid, that is, the setting of the movement warning area (the inspected eye E side rather than the second front position FL2) is notified is determined. The determination can execute, for example, by displaying icon to select whether validating or invalidating the notification function in the display14and determining the operation result of the icon by the examiner. If the controller33can determine the result of the selection whether validating or invalidating the notification function by the examiner, other method may be used, without being limited to the embodiment. In addition, as to whether the notification function is valid, if the hand detector detects that the hand H puts on the forehead support16, the notification function may be valid, if there is no detection, the notification function may be invalid. As the hand detector, for example, a sensor such as a pressure sensitive sensor or electrostatic sensor which can detect that the hand H exists may be provided on a surface of the forehead support16facing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b). As the hand detector, for example, an optical sensor, a camera or the like which can detect that the hand H exists may be provided on a surface of the forehead support16facing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b).

In step S4, whether the apparatus body13is in the movement warning area is determined, following the determination that the notification function is valid, in step3, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S5, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S6. In step S4, whether the signal that the apparatus body13(the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) reaches the second front position FL2is acquired from the front position detector49is determined. Then, in step S4, if the signal is acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13exists in the movement warning area, and the processing proceeds to step S5, and if the signal is not acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13does not exist in the movement warning area, and the processing proceeds to step S6.

In step S5, the processing proceeds to step S6by emitting the warning, following the determination that the apparatus body13exists in the movement warning area, in step S4. In step S5, the warning is emitted because the notification function is valid and the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) exists in the movement warning area. In the embodiment, the warning is executed by emitting the warning sound from the warning sound generator51as described above. Note that the warning is stopped when it is determined the apparatus body13does not reach the height position HL in step S2repeated thereafter, it is determined that the notification function is not valid in step S3repeated thereafter, and it is determined that the apparatus body does not exist in movement warning area in step S4repeated thereafter. Here, the reason including the case where the apparatus body13does not reach the height position HL is to set the third front position FL3or the fourth front position FL4in a determination standard, as described above. In step S5, when emitting the warning, the forward movement of the apparatus body13may be temporarily stopped, as described above.

In step S6, whether the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area is determined, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S7, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S13, following the determination that the notification function is not valid in step S3, or the determination that the apparatus body13does not exist in the movement warning area in step S4, or emitting the warning in step S5. In step S6, whether the signal that the apparatus body13(the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) reaches the first front position FL1is acquired from the front position detector49is determined. In addition, in step S6, if the signal is acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area, the processing proceeds to step S7, and if the signal is not acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13does not reach the movement prohibition area, and the processing proceeds to step S13.

In step S7, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is stopped and the processing proceeds to step S13, following the determination that the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area in step S6. In step S7, because the apparatus body reaches the movement prohibition area, the apparatus body13is not further forward moved, that is, to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) and by stopping the movement, the control depending on the situation is executed, as described above.

In step S8, whether the notification function is valid is determined, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S9, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S11, following the determination that the apparatus body13does not reach the height position HL in step S2. In step S8, whether the notification function is valid, that is, whether notifying that the apparatus body is in the movement warning area (inspected eye E side rather than the third front position FL3) is determined. The determination is the same as that in step S3.

In step S9, whether the apparatus body13is in the movement warning area is determined, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S10, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S11, following the determination that the notification function is valid in step S8. In step S9, whether the signal that the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) reaches the third front position FL3is acquired from the front position detector49is determined. In step S9, if the signal is acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13is in the movement warning area and the processing proceeds to step S10, and if the signal is not acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13does not exist in the movement warning area and the processing proceeds to step S11.

In step S10, the processing proceeds to step S11by emitting the warning, following the determination that the apparatus body13is in the movement warning area in step S9. In step S10, the warning is emitted because the notification function is valid and the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism is in the movement warning area. The warning is executed by emitting the warning sound from the warning sound generator51as described above in the embodiment. Note that the warning is stopped when it is determined the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL in step S2repeated thereafter, it is determined that the notification function is not valid in step S8repeated thereafter, and it is determined that the apparatus body does not exist in movement warning area in step S9repeated thereafter. Here, the reason including the case where the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL is for setting the first front position FL1or the second front position FL2in a determination standard, as described above.

In step S11, whether the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area is determined, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S12, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S13, following the determination that the notification function is not valid in step S8, or the determination that the apparatus body13does not exist in the movement warning area in step S9, or emitting the warning in step S10. In step S11, whether the signal that the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) reaches the fourth front position FL4is acquired from the front position detector49is determined. Then, in step S11, if the signal is acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area, and the processing proceeds to step S12. In step S11, if the signal is not acquired, it is determined that the apparatus body13does not exist in the movement prohibition area, and the processing proceeds to step S13.

In step S12, the forward movement of the apparatus body is stopped and the processing proceeds to step S13, following the determination that the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area in step S11. In step S12, because the apparatus body13reaches the movement prohibition area, the apparatus body13is not moved further forward, that is to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) and executes the control depending on the situation in accordance with the stop of the movement, as described above.

In step S13, whether operation stopping the warning is executed is determined, and if it is Yes, the processing proceeds to step S14, and if it is No, the processing proceeds to step S15, following the determination that the apparatus body13does not reach the movement prohibition area in step S6, stopping the forward movement of the apparatus body13in step S7, the determination that the apparatus body13does not reach the movement prohibition area in step S11, or stopping the forward movement of the apparatus body13in step S12. In step S13, whether operation stopping the warning emitted in step S5or step S10is executed (stop of the warning sound in the embodiment) is determined. The operation stopping the warning can be executed, for example, by displaying a warning stop icon on the display14and touching the warning stop icon.

In step S14, the notification function is restrictively invalidated and the processing proceeds to step S15, following the determination that the operation stopping the warning is executed in step S13. In step S14, because the operation stopping the warning is executed, the notification function is invalid as long as the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is continued.

In step S15, whether the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is completed is determined, and if it is Yes, the safety ensuring notifying processing (the method of notifying safety ensuring) is completed, and if it is No, the processing returns to step S1, following the determination that the operation stopping the warning is not executed in step S13, or invalidating restrictively the notification function in step S14. In step S15, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is completed, in this situation, the apparatus body13cannot be moved to the inspected eye E side. Therefore, whether it is not necessary to execute the safety ensuring notifying processing is determined. As a result, if the movement is completed, the safety ensuring notifying processing is completed, and if the movement is continued, the processing returns to step S1to continue the safety ensuring notifying processing. Note that the case stopping the forward movement of the apparatus body13in step S7or step S12is not included in the completion of the forward movement of the apparatus body13. This is because the movement of the apparatus body is not completed for a scene stopping the forward movement although the signal moving the apparatus body forward is output, in step S7or step S12.

Next, operation in moving the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) in the ophthalmology apparatus10is described. It is first assumed that the notification function is valid to be the eye characteristic measurement mode, the apparatus body13is moved in the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction), and the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h) does not yet reach the second front position FL2. Then, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, the processing proceeds from step S1to step S2, thereby it is determined that the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is positioned at the first height position H1by receiving the signal from the height position detector48that the apparatus body13reaches the height position HL. Then, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, the processing proceeds to step S3, step S4, step S6, step S13, and step S15in order, thereby the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is executed, without generating any operation.

When the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h) reaches the second front position FL2(seeFIG. 7B) by the movement, the processing proceeds to step S15, step S1, step S2, step S3, step S4, and step S5in order, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, thereby the warning is emitted. As a result, it is assumed that the operation stopping the warning is executed by the examiner after the examiner recognizes the warning and confirms the safety. Then, the processing proceeds to step S6, step S13, and step S14in order, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, thereby the notification function is restrictively invalidated, the warning is stopped by proceeding to step S15, step S1, step S2, and step S3in order, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9. At this time, the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is continued, and it is assumed that the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h) reaches the first front position FL1(seeFIG. 7A) through the movement of the apparatus body. Consequently, the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is stopped by proceeding from step S6to step S7, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9. The nozzle projection21h(the tip) is therefore prevented from interfering with the forehead support16, without moving the apparatus body13from the first front position FL1to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction).

It is also assumed that the notification function is valid to become the intraocular pressure measurement mode, the apparatus body13is moved in the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction), and the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) does not yet reach the third front position FL3. Then, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, the processing proceeds from step S1to step S2, thereby it is determined that the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is positioned at the second height position H2by receiving the signal from the height position detector48that the apparatus body13does not reach the height position HL. Then, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, the processing proceeds to step S8, step S9, step S11, step S13, and step S15in order, thereby the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is executed, without generating any operation.

When the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) reaches the third front position FL3(seeFIG. 7C) by the movement, the processing proceeds to step S15, step S1, step S2, step S8, step S9, and step S10in order, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, thereby the warning is emitted. As a result, it is assumed that the operation stopping the warning is executed by the examiner after the examiner recognizes the warning and confirms the safety. Then, the processing proceeds to step S11, step S13, and step S14in order, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9, thereby the notification function is restrictively invalidated, the warning is stopped by proceeding to step S15, step S1, step S2, and step S8in order, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9. At this time, the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is continued, and it is assumed that the apparatus body13(the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism) reaches the fourth front position FL4(seeFIG. 7D) through the movement of the apparatus body. Consequently, the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is stopped by proceeding from step S11to step S12, in the flow chart shown inFIG. 9. The wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism is therefore prevented from interfering with the forehead support16, without moving the apparatus body13from the fourth front position FL4to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction).

In the ophthalmology apparatus10as one embodiment of the ophthalmology apparatus according to the present invention, the warning is emitted when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2in moving the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction). The examiner can therefore recognize a possibility that the hand H is interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20of the apparatus body13and the forehead support16. Thereby, the examiner confirms the safety from failing to put on the hand H with the forehead support16, separating the hand H from the forehead support16, stopping to put the hand H on the forehead support16, and so on, and hence the hand H is prevented from being interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16.

Moreover, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, when the apparatus body13reaches the first front position FL1in moving the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction), the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction) is stopped. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20can be certainly prevented from interfering with the forehead support16.

Furthermore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, even if the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2, the movement of the apparatus body13to the inspected eye E side (positive side in the Z-axis direction rather than the second front position FL2) is not completely prohibited. As a result, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the hand H is prevented from being interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16, a range capable of moving the apparatus body13can be prevented from narrowing, and usability can be improved.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2, the second interval i2is set between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the forehead support16. The second interval i2is set from the viewpoint preventing the hand H positioned between the tip of the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16from being interposed. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the hand H is certainly prevented from being interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, when the apparatus body13reaches the first front position FL1, the first interval i1is set between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the forehead support16. The first interval i1is set to be the value as small as possible on the presumption that the interference between the tip of the nozzle projection21hand the forehead support16can be certainly prevented. In the ophthalmology apparatus10, it is therefore possible to certainly prevent the interference between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16and the reduction of the range that can move the apparatus body13.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, when the notification function is invalidated, the usability can be improved because the warning is not emitted even if the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2. In other words, this is because the warning is troublesome for executing the measurement after confirming not to put the hand H on the forehead support16even if the hand H is not interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, because the detection is made that the apparatus body13reaches each of the front positions (first front position FL1and the second front position FL2), it is possible to certainly detect that the apparatus body is reached each front position with a simple configuration.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, even to the wall portion21kof the air flow blowing mechanism, the third front position FL3and the fourth front position FL4are set, and the control similar to that in the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is executed. As a result, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, it is possible to secure further safety and improve the usability.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, by providing the hand detector which can detect that the hand H is put on the forehead support16, if the hand detector detects that the hand H is put on the forehead support16, the notification function can be validated, if the detection does not exist, the notification function can be invalidated. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, it is possible to emit the warning when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2only if the hand H is actually put on the forehead support16, without being set by the examiner in particular. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the usability can be further improved.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, it is possible to temporarily stop the forward movement of the apparatus body13when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2and the warning is emitted. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, even if the hand H is put on the forehead support16, it is possible to execute with allowance the confirmation of the safety such as letting the examiner separate the hand H from the forehead support16, or letting the examiner stop to put the hand H on the forehead support16. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the usability can be further improved.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is temporarily stopped when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2and the warning is emitted. When the operation to forward move the apparatus body13is executed again or the operation to continue the automatic alignment is executed, the forward movement of the apparatus body13can be permitted again. As a result, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, because the apparatus body13is forward moved again by executing the operation described above after confirming the safety, it is possible to move the apparatus body13by further certainly ensuring the safety. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the usability can be further improved.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is temporarily stopped when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2and the warning is emitted. By previously setting a temporarily stopping time, after the set time passes, the forward movement of the apparatus body13can be permitted again. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, because the apparatus body13is forward moved again, after confirming the safety, without executing any operation, it is possible to move the apparatus body13rapidly while ensuring the safety. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the usability can be further improved.

In the ophthalmology apparatus10, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is temporarily stopped when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2and the warning is emitted. In addition, when the hand detector that can detect that the hand H is put on the forehead support16is provided as described above and the hand H is put on the forehead support16, the forward movement of the apparatus body13can be stopped and the forward movement of the apparatus body13can be permitted again when the hand H separates from the forehead support16. Therefore, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the forward movement of the apparatus body13is temporarily stopped when the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2only if the hand H is actually put on the forehead support16, without being set by the examiner in particular, and the apparatus body13can be forward moved rapidly when the hand H separates from the forehead support16. Thereby, in the ophthalmology apparatus10, the usability can be further improved.

Accordingly, in the ophthalmology apparatus10as one embodiment of the ophthalmology apparatus according to the present invention, the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer is prevented from interfering with the forehead support16and the hand H is prevented from being interposed in the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer.

To solve the problem in that, because the second measurer (tip end thereof) upward and forward positioned approximates the forehead support positioned above the inspected eye when forward moving the first measurer in measuring the inspected eye by use of the first measurer which is downward positioned, the second measurer (tip end thereof) has a possibility interfering with the forehead support depending on position setting or a quantity of movement, or interposing the hand H if the hand is put on the forehead support even if the interference does not occur, the ophthalmology apparatus includes the first measurer set at the first setting working distance to measure the inspected eye of the subject, the second measurer set at the second setting working distance shorter than the first setting working distance to measure the inspected eye and integrally provided above the first measurer, the apparatus body on which the first measurer and the second measurer are provided and which is movable relative to the base, the driver that moves the apparatus body relative to the base, the forehead support provided on the base to support the forehead of the subject, and the controller that controls the first measurer, the second measurer, and the driver. The controller is configured to detect the first front position in the apparatus body, in which the distance between the second measurer and the forehead support is set as the first interval and the second front position in the apparatus body, in which the distance between the second measurer and the forehead support is set as the second interval larger than the first interval. The controller emits the warning when the apparatus body reaches the second front position in moving the apparatus body to a forehead support side and stops the movement of the apparatus body to the forehead support side when the apparatus body reaches the first front position. With this configuration, the second measurer is prevented from interfering with the forehead support and the hand put on the forehead support can be prevented from being interposed by the second measurer.

In addition to the above configuration, the second interval is set to prevent the hand put between the second measurer and the forehead support from being interposed. With the configuration, the hand can be further certainly prevented from being interposed between the second measurer and the forehead support from being interposed.

In addition to the above configuration, the first interval is set to be the small value, while preventing the second measurer and the forehead support from interfering. With the configuration, the interference between the second measurer and the forehead support can be certainly prevented and the movable range of the apparatus body can be prevented from reducing.

In addition to the above configuration, the controller does not emit the warning even if the apparatus body reaches the second front position when the notification function that emits the warning is invalidated. With the configuration, the usability can be improved.

In addition to the above configuration, the hand detector which detects that the hand is put on the forehead support is further provided, and the controller determines that the notification function is invalidated when the hand detector detects that the hand is not put on the forehead support. With the configuration, it is possible to emit the warning when the apparatus body reaches the second front position only if the hand is actually put on the forehead support without being set by the examiner in particular. The usability can be further improved.

In addition to the above configuration, when the apparatus body reaches the second front position and the controller emits the warning, the controller temporarily stops the movement of the apparatus body to the forehead support side. With the configuration, even if the hand is put on the forehead support, it is possible to execute with allowance the confirmation of the safety such as letting the examiner separate the hand H from the forehead support, or letting the examiner stop to put the hand on the forehead support and improve the usability.

In addition to the above configuration, the front position detector to detect that the apparatus body is disposed on the first front position or the second front position and output the detection result to the controller is further provided. With the configuration, it is possible to certainly detect that the apparatus body reaches each front position with a simple configuration.

In addition to the above configuration, the second measurer includes the detection optical system that detects the position of the inspected eye in the direction toward the inspected eye by receiving reflection light, and the controller detects that the apparatus body reaches the second front position by determining that the hand put on the forehead support is approaching based on the quantity of the reflection light in the detection optical system. With the configuration, it is detected at a time that the apparatus body reaches the second front position and that the hand is put on the forehead support. The usability can be therefore further improved. In addition, because the detection optical system is used for the measurement by the second measurer, the configuration makes it possible to form the ophthalmology apparatus with a simple configuration and can be easily applied to an existing device.

In addition to the above configuration, reflectivity of the surface of the forehead support facing the second measurer is set to be different from reflectivity of the hand. With the configuration, it can be further adequately determined that the hand is put on the forehead support.

In addition to the above configuration, the second measurer includes the detection optical system that detects the position of the inspected eye in the direction toward the inspected eye by receiving reflection light, reflectivity of the surface of the forehead support facing the second measurer is set to be smaller than reflectivity of the hand, and the controller detects that the apparatus body reaches the second front position when the quantity of reflection light received on the detection optical system exceeds a detection threshold set to detect that the hand is approaching. With the configuration, it is detected at a time that the apparatus body reaches the second front position and that the hand is put on the forehead support. The usability can be therefore further improved. In addition, because the detection optical system is used for the measurement by the second measurer, the configuration makes it possible to form the ophthalmology apparatus with a simple configuration and can be easily applied to an existing device.

In addition to the above configuration, the second measurer includes the observation optical system that acquires the image of the anterior ocular segment in the direction toward the inspected eye, and the controller is configured to grip existence of the hand put on the forehead support based on the image of the anterior ocular segment acquired in the observation optical system, and detect that the apparatus body reaches the second front position by determining that the hand put on the forehead support is approaching. With the configuration, it is detected at a time that the apparatus body reaches the second front position and that the hand is put on the forehead support. The usability can be therefore further improved. In addition, because the detection optical system is used for the measurement by the second measurer, the configuration makes it possible to form the ophthalmology apparatus with a simple configuration and can be easily applied to an existing device.

Here, in the embodiment as described above, although the ophthalmology apparatus10as the ophthalmology apparatus according to the present invention, the ophthalmology apparatus may be configured to include the first measurer set at the first setting working distance to measure the inspected eye of the subject, the second measurer set at the second setting working distance shorter than the first setting working distance to measure the inspected eye and integrally provided above the first measurer, the apparatus body on which the first measurer and the second measurer are provided and which is movable relative to the base, the driver that moves the apparatus body relative to the base, the forehead support provided on the base to support the forehead of the subject, and the controller that controls the first measurer, the second measurer, and the driver, the controller is configured to detect the first front position in the apparatus body, in which the distance between the second measurer and the forehead support is set as the first interval and the second front position in the apparatus body, in which the distance between the second measurer and the forehead support is set at the second interval larger than the first interval, and the controller emits the warning when the apparatus body reaches the second front position in moving the apparatus body to the forehead support side and stops the movement of the apparatus body to the forehead support side when the apparatus body reaches the first front position. The ophthalmology apparatus is not limited to the configuration in the embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the controller33is configured to determine the height position of the apparatus body13based on the presence or the absence of the signal from the height position detector48and determine the position of the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) in the Z-axis direction based on the type and the presence or absence of the signal from the front position detector49. However, the controller33may be able to determine either the height position (either the first height position H1or the second height position H2), or in the Z-axis direction, the front positions (the first front position FL1, the second front position FL2, the third front position FL3, and the fourth front position FL4) of the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)), and is not limited to the embodiment described above. One example of other configurations is described as follows. A case where the drive sources of the Y-axis driving part12a, the Z-axis driving part12b, and the X-axis driving part12cof the driver12are controlled using a pulse number of a pulse motor, the controller33can determine each position in the X, Y, and Z directions and store by counting a pulse number from the standard position in each of the X, Y, and Z directions and storing the counted number. The controller33stores the height position HL and the front positions (FL1to FL4) together using the function, thereby enabling to determine which position the moving apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b)) exists at.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the controller33detects that the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2by acquiring the signal reaching the second front position from the front position detector49. However, the controller33may use the detection optical system (the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, the Z alignment detecting optical system26, and the Z alignment detection corrector32(seeFIG. 2)) capable of detecting the position of the inspected eye E in the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer in the Z-axis direction (the direction toward the inspected eye E). This is because the forehead support16is positioned on the optical axis O1of the intraocular pressure measurement device20since the determination of the presence or the absence of the reaching the second front position FL2is executed in the case where the apparatus body13is in the first height position H1capable of interfering the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16.

In the detection optical system, by lighting the light source for Z alignment25aof the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, the parallel light flux for alignment in the Z-axis direction is projected on the optical axis of the Z alignment index projecting optical system25. When the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E exists on the optical axis of the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, the parallel light flux for alignment in the Z-axis direction is projected on the cornea Ec, and the reflection light flux reflected on the cornea Ec is received on the sensor26cof the Z alignment detecting optical system26. The detection signal cannot be therefore output, in the detection optical system, if the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E does not exist on the optical axis. If the cornea Ec of the inspected eye E exists on the optical axis, the detection signal can be output and the inspected eye E (cornea Ec) is positioned in the detectable range. From such a configuration, when the forehead support16is positioned on the optical axis O1of the intraocular pressure measurement device20, if the hand H is put on the forehead support, the reflection light flux that the foregoing alignment index light is reflected on the hand H is acquired by the sensor26c(seeFIG. 10A). If the hand H is not put on the forehead support, the reflection light flux that the alignment index light is reflected on the forehead support16is acquired by the sensor26c(seeFIG. 10B).

Here, because the cornea Ec is a state close to a mirror surface, when the cornea Ec exists on the optical axis of the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, a slit-shaped image is formed on the sensor26c. On the contrary, the hand H (forehead support16) is not a state close to the mirror surface and scatters and reflects the parallel light flux from the Z alignment index projecting optical system25. When the hand H (forehead support16) therefore exists on the optical axis of the Z alignment index projecting optical system25, the image of the hand H (forehead support16) (a part thereof) is not formed on the sensor26c. However, light receiving in the sensor becomes bright as a whole by receiving the scattered light on the sensor26c. In the detection optical system (sensor26c), the brightness increases as the hand H (forehead support16) approaches the intraocular pressure measurement device20, as viewed in the direction of the optical axis O1, that is, the receiving reflection light quantity increases. Note that, in the detection optical system, it is possible to easily determine because there is not the reflection light quantity when nothing exists on the optical axis of the Z alignment index projecting optical system25.

Here, because the forehead support16exists in a predetermined position as viewed in the direction of the optical axis O1and reflectivity thereof is also known, the reflection light quantity received on the detection optical system (the Z alignment detecting optical system26(the sensor26c)) is predetermined. The hand H put on the forehead support16is closer to the intraocular pressure measurement device20than the forehead support16as viewed in the direction of the optical axis O1. The reflection light quantity received on the detection optical system therefore increases as compared to the reflection light quantity from the forehead support16. Accordingly, in the detection optical system, it is possible to set the detection threshold in consideration of the both reflection light quantities and detect that the hand H exists between the intraocular pressure measurement device and the forehead support16by the reflection light quantity exceeding the detection threshold. By setting the detection threshold to a value corresponding to the reflection light quantity from the hand H existing in a position before the hand is interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the forehead support16, it is possible to detect that the apparatus body13(nozzle projection21h) reaches the second front position FL2by the reflection light quantity exceeding the detection threshold. The second front position FL2in this case is the same as the foregoing embodiment in that the hand is prevented from being interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the forehead support16. However, the second front position is not necessarily the completely equal interval to the second interval i2.

From this, the controller33can detect both the apparatus body13which has been reached the second front position FL2and the hand H which has been put on the forehead support16at a time by detecting that the reflection light quantity exceeds the detection threshold by use of the detection optical system. In this way, when it is detected that the reflection light quantity exceeds the detection threshold, in other words, the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2, the warning is emitted, thereby improving the usability. In addition, because the Z alignment detecting optical system26provided for the measurement by the intraocular pressure measurement device20is used, the configuration makes it possible to form the ophthalmology apparatus with a simple configuration and can be easily applied to an existing device.

Here, as described above, if the detection optical system in the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer is used and if a difference between the reflection light quantity from the forehead support16and the reflection light quantity from the hand H is not clear and adequate detection is difficult, the reflectivity of the surface of the forehead support16facing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b), to the alignment index light may be set to be different from the reflectivity of the hand H to the alignment index light. As this example, it is pointed that the reflectivity of the surface of the forehead support16facing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is set to be very low. With this configuration, if nothing exists on the optical axis of the Z alignment index projecting optical system25and the forehead support16exists on the optical axis, it is possible to certainly prevent the exceeding of the set detection threshold as described above, because the reflection light quantity received on the detection optical system is very small. By detecting that the reflection light quantity received on the detection optical system exceeds the detection threshold, it is possible to certainly detect that the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2by the apparatus body approaching the hand H put on the forehead support16. As other example of using different reflectivity, it is pointed that the reflectivity of the surface of the forehead support16facing the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) is set to be high. With this configuration, it is possible to determine that the hand H is not put on the forehead support16, in the case of a large quantity of the reflection light and the hand H is put on the forehead support16, in the case of a small quantity of the reflection light. The setting of the reflectivity can be easily executed by painting a part showing the reflectivity or attaching a seal to the part.

In the above-described embodiment, the controller33acquires the signal that the apparatus body reaches the second front position FL2, from the front position detector49, and thereby detects that the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2. However, the controller33may use the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21of the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer. This is because the forehead support16is positioned on the optical axis O1of the intraocular pressure measurement device20since the determination of the presence or the absence of reaching the second front position FL2is executed if the apparatus body13is in the first height position H1capable of interfering the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) and the forehead support16. In this case, the controller analyzes the image (data thereof) acquired in the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21(CCD camera21ithereof) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer, and thereby can determine whether the hand H is put on the forehead support16, or the hand is not put on the forehead support16. When it is determined that the hand H is put on the forehead support16, if it is determined that the hand H exists in a position before the hand is interposed between the nozzle projection21h(air flow blowing nozzle21b) of the intraocular pressure measurement device20and the forehead support16, it is determined that the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2. Such a determination can be executed by analyzing, for example, a dimension of the forehead support16on the image (data thereof). Thereby, it is possible to detect both the apparatus body13which is reached the second front position FL2and the hand H which is put on the forehead support16at a time. In this way, if it is detected that the apparatus body has been reached the second front position FL2, the warning is emitted, thereby further improving the usability. In addition, because the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21provided for the measurement by the intraocular pressure measurement device20is used, and the configuration makes it possible to form the ophthalmology apparatus with a simple configuration and can be easily applied to an existing device. Note that the configuration using the anterior ocular segment observing optical system21can be used together with the configuration using the detection optical system of the intraocular pressure measurement device20. In this case, the warning may be emitted in either one of the anterior ocular segment observing optical system and the detection optical system, when it is detected that the hand H is put on the forehead support16and the apparatus body13reaches the second front position FL2.

In the above-described embodiment, although the intraocular pressure measurement device20as the second measurer is provided, an intraocular pressure measurement device different from the intraocular pressure measurement device in an optical configuration, an arrangement of each optical member, and a measurement principle, or a pachymeter that measures a thickness of the cornea (cornea thickness measurement) may be used, without being limited to the embodiment as described above, provided that the second measurer is set at the second setting working distance d2of a smaller value than that of the first setting working distance d1.

In the above-described embodiment, although the eye characteristic measurement device40as the first measurer is provided, other eye characteristic measurement device different from the eye characteristic measurement device in an optical configuration, an arrangement of each optical member, and a measurement principle, or measurement content (type) may be used, without being limited to the embodiment as described above, provided that the other device receives the reflection light on the inspected eye E and measures an optical characteristic of the inspected eye E.

Although the ophthalmology apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the change and the addition of the design in the embodiment should be permitted as long as they do not depart from the gist of the present invention, without being limited to the embodiment as to concrete configurations.