Patent Publication Number: US-8523360-B2

Title: Digital display cataract eye detection method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/892,927, filed Sep. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,272,741, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 12/683,898, filed Jan. 7, 2010, now pending, which in turn claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/142,986, filed on Jan. 7, 2009, the complete disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cataracts account for 48% of world blindness or over 18 million people have some cataract development according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United States, 42 percent of people between the ages of 52 to 64 have some cataract development, 60% for those between 65 to 74 and 91% for those between the ages of 75 to 85. 
     There are many causes of cataracts; long-term ultraviolet exposure, radiation, diabetes, hypertension with the most common cause being age. The most successful treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the occluded lens. Currently, only a thorough eye examination can detect the early onset of a cataract. There is a need for an easy to use screening detection device that enables an early diagnosis of cataracts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An eye chart uses a series of graphics spaced at intervals selected to discriminate between normal vision and vision impaired by the presence of a cataract and displayed on a digital display device such as a computer, digital display device, smart phone, etc. Groups of graphics have progressively different distances between the series with one series representing normal vision with the space between the lines growing progressively further apart to indicate the advancement of the cataract. A user with normal vision will be able to count the number of lines, while a person with cataracts will require the space between the lines to be further apart. The digital device automatically stores input information using an input device such as a mouse or touch screen input. This digital storage information records a patient profile in time as each use is recorded. Different shapes and letters may be used. 
     Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes a screen to cover a portion of the chart. 
         FIG. 8B  is a cataract detection chart according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8A  with the screen in a second position. 
         FIG. 9A  is a cataract detection chart according to an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes a screen to cover a portion of the chart shown with alternative shapes. 
         FIG. 9B  is a cataract detection chart according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 9A  with the screen in a second position. 
         FIG. 10  is an alternative shape for use with the eye chart for cataract detection. 
         FIG. 11  is an alternative shape for use with the eye chart for cataract detection. 
         FIG. 12  is an alternative shape for use with the eye chart for cataract detection. 
         FIG. 13  is a representation of a digital device screen displaying a series of graphical images to detect cataracts according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is the graphical representation of the digital display shown in  FIG. 13  showing a smaller line of graphics. 
         FIG. 15  is the graphical representation of the digital display shown in  FIG. 13  showing smaller lines of graphics. 
         FIG. 16  is the graphical representation of the digital display shown in  FIG. 13  showing the smallest line of graphics. 
         FIG. 17  is the graphical representation of the digital display shown in  FIG. 13  showing an input graphic allowing a user to input their selection. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cataract detection eye chart  100  comprises a series of sinusoidal lines. As the user proceeds down the chart  100 , the size of the pattern is reduced. Group one lines  10  are spaced 0.3 mm apart and difficulty discriminating at this spacing indicates advanced cataracts. As one proceeds to the group two lines  20 , the lines are closer together and are spaced at an interval a user having difficulty discriminating between this spacing indicates progressing cataracts. Likewise group lines three through six;  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  respectively, reveal progressively lessening cataracts with group seven lines  70  indicating no perceptible cataracts. Of course other spacings may be used and additionally, the spacing may be adjusted for the distance the user will be from the chart  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cataract eye chart  200  is shown having a plurality of circular patterns to indicate the presence of various stages of cataract development. A person only able to discriminate Group one pattern  15  is considered to exhibit an advanced stage of cataract development. Again as in  FIG. 1 , groups two through six;  25 ,  35 ,  45 ,  55  and  65  respectively, reveal decreasing cataract development with group seven  75  indicating no perceptible cataract development. Again as above, other spacings may be used as well as varying the number of lines used to reduce “expectation error” caused by a user anticipating the number of lines rather than actually reading them. 
     Of course the number of lines is not critical as long as there are enough lines to present a graphical challenge to discriminate between normal vision and cataract impaired vision. Additionally, the spacing of the lines may be varied. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cataract eye chart  300  is shown having lines grouped together with varying thicknesses. Group one lines  310  have high contrast due to their width and a user only able to discriminate between these lines would be diagnosed as having advanced cataracts. Groups two through four,  320 ,  330  and  340  respectively, indicate lessening degrees of cataract development with group five  350  indicating unimpaired vision. Again, other contrasting schemes may be utilized such as having as random selection of varying contrasting lines. Additionally, colors could also be used such as having lines in blue or other color to provide an additional level of discrimination. Also, different shades can be used to further refine the optical characteristics such as grey scales where the lines appear from dark to light. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , a cataract eye chart  400  is shown with three groups of sinusoidal lines. The first group  410  has 7 lines with small spacings. The second group  420  has 5 lines with intermediate spacings and the third group  430  has six lines with the widest spacings. The number of lines is changed to help avoid an expectation error by a user if the number of lines is the same for all. Of course the number of lines is not critical as long as there are enough lines to present a graphical challenge to discriminate between normal vision and cataract impaired vision. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cataract eye chart  500  is shown having a plurality of sinusoidal lines  510  through  520  that become increasingly closer together. A user is asked to indicate where on chart  500  they are able to discriminate indicating various stages of cataract development. The exact spacing and width of lines may be adjusted depending on the distance from chart  500  the user will be placed. 
       FIG. 6  shows a cataract eye chart  600  having a vertical orientation with three groups of sinusoidal lines. Group one  610  are the closest; second group  620  having an intermediate spacing with the third group  630  being the furthest apart; again as above, discrimination among groups indicate cataract development. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , a cataract eye chart  700  is shown having a series of circular patterns to detect and document cataract progression. Group one patterns  710  are the closest together with group two  720  being spaced at an intermediate level and the third group  730  having the widest spacing. Additionally, a light source  740  such as a white light LED or other bright light source may be used to help diagnose cataract development under night driving conditions that may be difficult to detect under normal lighting conditions. Light source  740  may be used with any of the embodiments shown. Of course more or less groups may be used for further levels of discrimination depending on the application. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a cataract eye chart  800  is shown with a screen  825  held in a screen holder  820  to cover a portion of an eye chart  830 . Screen holder  820  utilizes a retractable mechanism that allows a practitioner to raise and lower the screen as desired while retaining the position as is known in the art. This allows the practitioner to vary the number of lines revealed to reduce expectation error for patients who might remember or pre-count lines to compensate for reduced vision. 
     If the result of the instant screening reveals a possible problem, the patient may be referred to a specialist for further testing as dictated by standards of care in the health profession. If no problem is indicated, the patient is saved from having to get further testing along with the associated costs. Additionally, the instant method allows a patient to keep track and control the progression of cataracts by recording the results thus allowing the patient and doctor to follow the most advantageous course of treatment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 ,  11  and  12 , cataract detection chart is shown with alternative shapes such as stars, triangles, octagons and checkmarks. This is not meant to be a complete list; rather it is representative of various possible shapes that can be utilized to detect the presence of cataracts in a patient that requires very little expense nor large investments of time. The test is meant to be performed in a doctor&#39;s office or other health care facility with minimum investment. 
     In addition to cataract detection, other eye disorders that result in distortion of vision, may be detected using the instant invention. As an inexpensive and easy non-invasive test, many eye disorders can be identified in an early stage by the routine use of the instant invention before major symptoms become apparent. Some examples of eye disorders that may be detected include glaucoma and astigmatisms as well as others. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 to 17 , a digital cataract detection screening method  900  is shown using a digital display  910  having a series of geometric shapes consisting of evenly spaced lines and displayed in a first row  920 , second row  930 , third row  950 , fourth row  955 , fifth row  960 , sixth row  965  and seventh row  970 . Of course more or less rows may be used as long as the graphics displayed allow a user to discriminate between non-cataract vision. A scrolling input portion  935  is provided to allow the user or medical screener/health care provider to scroll down to reach the different size rows. Alternatively, the program may be written to automatically scroll down at a desired rate. A menu portion  940  is included to allow resizing and exiting the program as is known in the art. 
     In use, a user can use an input device such as a mouse, pen, touch screen or voice to record the smallest graphic where the number of lines are reasonably easy to count. In the embodiment shown, an input cursor  975  is displayed to allow the user to select the graphic. A person with normal vision will be able to discriminate between the lines in the graphic where the cataract affected user will experience difficulty as the distance between the lines decreases. The digital device such as, but not limited to, a computer, smart phone, digital display device such as a tablet device is used to display the graphics. The program may reside locally on the device or may be accessed through a network or cloud. The program may be provided as an electronic application known as an app. 
     Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.