Abstract:
An improved retinoscopy paddle with lens received through openings extending through the paddle member has an axis compass with indicia for assessing the range of refraction error and axis of astigmatism in the eyes of a patient as part of an optical examination. The axis compass may be formed on the paddle member or on a receptacle member adapted for operative receipt on as associated retinoscopy paddle. A method is provided for integrating a retinoscopy paddle and axis compass.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/101,599, filed Jan. 9, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to the art of measuring objective refraction, and, more particularly, to a retinoscopy rack or paddle, axis compass, and method of integrating or adapting same. 
         [0003]    In known arrangements, a retinoscopy rack or paddle (or sometimes referred to as a “ret rack”) is used with a retinoscope for example by an associated eye-care practitioner such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist (sometimes referred hereinafter as “professional”) to assess a range of refraction error and also to assess a limited axis of astigmatism in the eyes of a patient as part of an optical examination. A beam of light is passed from the retinoscope through one of the lenses in a retinoscopy paddle into the eye of a patient while the patient views a distant object, allowing the professional to examine how light is reflected off the retina of the patient. The error of refraction can be determined by using a retinoscopy paddle that includes or holds a series of lenses typically in an ordered fashion, that is the lenses of different strength are preferably arranged in the paddle in a progressive or orderly fashion to aid the professional in positioning a particular lens over the eye of the patient, and then quickly and easily positioning a different lens of a different optical strength over the eye. The professional can evaluate the patient by alternately and selectively directing light through one of the lenses, and then viewing through a lens of a different optical strength, e.g., greater or lesser degree of optical strength, until the retinal reflex is observed as being in a desired or normal range through the retinoscope. 
         [0004]    Existing retinoscopy paddles lack the ability to measure oblique astigmatism angles, that is, existing retinoscopy paddles are generally limited to measuring the axis of astigmatism at angles of 90 and 180 degrees exclusively. With existing retinoscopy paddles, the associated professional must hold the retinoscopy paddle at an angle to determine the best acuity setting for the patient, but lacks a quick, convenient, accurate, and efficient method of also measuring the astigmatism angle. When using an existing retinoscopy paddle, the associated user must use a separate, second device, such as a phoropter, to attempt to replicate the angle. This method can become burdensome and time consuming for the associated professional. 
         [0005]    It is desirable to provide a retinoscopy paddle that neither compromises the highest quality of measurement with expediency and nor is as time consuming, burdensome, or inefficient as using existing retinoscopy paddles and a separate device to evaluate or measure oblique astigmatism angles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure provides an integrated retinoscopy rack or paddle with an integrated or attachable axis compass for use by an eye-care practitioner or professional. 
         [0007]    The disclosure provides an associated user a quick, accurate, efficient, and convenient means of measuring the astigmatism angle of the patient without the need to use multiple devices. 
         [0008]    The disclosure allows the practitioner/professional to explain and demonstrate based on experience with the patient&#39;s vision complaints, and offer a solution to reduce or eliminate the problem. 
         [0009]    The retinoscopy paddle includes an elongated paddle member having opposing front and rear surfaces and at least one opening and preferably a number of openings extending through the paddle member. The openings extend from the front to rear surface of the paddle member. The paddle member further includes at least one lens received in the paddle member, i.e., one lens in each opening where the lenses are and an axis compass including indicia thereon. The axis compass is disposed adjacent a first end of the paddle member. 
         [0010]    An axis compass adapted for operative receipt on an associated retinoscopy paddle in accordance with the present novel concept is provided that includes opposing front and rear surfaces and opposing first and second ends. At least the front surface includes indicia thereon and the second end of the axis compass is configured for selective attachment to an associated retinoscopy paddle. 
         [0011]    A method in accordance with the present novel concept is provided that includes providing an axis compass, providing a retinoscopy paddle, and integrating the axis compass with the retinoscopy paddle. 
         [0012]    Other and further objects of the present novel concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plus axis compass according to the present novel concept. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a minus axis compass according to the present novel concept. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of the axis compass shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the axis compass shown in  FIG. 1B . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of the axis compass shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of the axis compass shown in  FIG. 1B . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plus retinoscopy paddle integrated with an axis compass according to the present novel concept. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a minus retinoscopy paddle integrated with an axis compass according to the present novel concept. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of the retinoscopy paddle shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the retinoscopy paddle shown in  FIG. 4B . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of the retinoscopy paddle shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the retinoscopy paddle shown in  FIG. 4B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments of the subject novel concept only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an axis compass  100  adapted for operative receipt of an associated retinoscopy paddle. Axis compass  100  includes a front surface  112  opposite a rear surface. Front surface  112  includes indicia  132 . Indicia  132  may be formed directly on front surface  112  of axis compass  100 . Alternatively, indicia  132  may be painted, embossed, drawn, carved, or otherwise formed on front surface  112  of axis compass  100  by any means presently known in the art. Axis compass  100  further includes a first end  128  opposite a second end  138 . Second end  138  is configured for selective attachment to an associated retinoscopy paddle. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , second end  138  of axis compass  100  includes female receptacle  140  dimensioned to matingly receive an end of an associated retinoscopy paddle. Another means of integrating axis compass  100  with an associated retinoscopy paddle can be achieved by securing the retinoscopy paddle to the axis compass using a retainer clip. Second end  138  may be integrated with a retinoscopy paddle via any means presently known in the art. The result of integrating axis compass  100  with a retinoscopy paddle is that the associated user need only use one device to measure the range of refraction error and axis of astigmatism, which cannot be achieved using existing retinoscopy paddles. Axis compass  100  offers the associated user a quick, accurate, efficient, and convenient means of measuring the astigmatism angle of the patient without the need to use multiple devices. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , both front surface  112  and the rear surface of axis compass  100  are semicircularly shaped. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , indicia  132  includes marks approximately every 5 degrees from approximately 0 to 180 degrees for measuring the astigmatism angle of a patient quickly and accurately. The rear surface of axis compass  100  may also include indicia. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show second end  138  of axis compass  100 . Second end  138  is configured for selective attachment to an associated retinoscopy paddle. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , second end  138  of axis compass  100  includes female receptacle  140  dimensioned to matingly receive an end of an associated retinoscopy paddle. Another means of integrating axis compass  100  with an associated retinoscopy paddle can be achieved by securing the retinoscopy paddle to the axis compass using a retainer clip. Second end  138  may be integrated with a retinoscopy paddle via any means presently known in the art. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show front surface  112  of axis compass  100 . Front surface  112  includes indicia  132 . Indicia  132  may be formed directly on front surface  112  of axis compass  100 , or indicia  132  may be painted, embossed, drawn, carved, or otherwise formed on front surface  112  of axis compass  100  by any means presently known in the art. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , indicia  132  includes marks approximately every 5 degrees from approximately 0 to 180 degrees for measuring the astigmatism angle of a patient quickly and accurately. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , both front surface  112  and the rear surface of axis compass  100  are semicircularly shaped. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a retinoscopy paddle  400 . Retinoscopy paddle  400  includes an elongated paddle member  410  having a front surface  412  opposite a rear surface. At least one opening  416  extends through paddle member  410  from front surface  412  to the rear surface. Paddle member  410  further includes at least one lens  420  received in paddle member  410 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , paddle member  410  includes a plurality of lenses  420  each received in corresponding openings  416  in paddle member  410 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the lenses  420  are plus or minus lenses approximately 16 mm in diameter, glass, and recessed within paddle member  410  relative to at least one of front surface  412  and the rear surface of paddle member  410 . Paddle member  410  further includes axis compass  430  disposed adjacent first end  428  of paddle member  410 . It is to be understood that while axis compass  100  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  is a separate member adapted for operative receipt on an associated retinoscopy paddle, axis compass  430  is not a separate member from retinoscopy paddle  400 . Axis compass  430  includes indicia  432  on at one of least front surface  412  or the rear surface of paddle member  410 . Indicia  432  may be formed directly on front surface  412  of paddle member  410 . Alternatively, indicia  432  may be painted, embossed, drawn, carved, or otherwise formed on front surface  412  of paddle member  410  by any means presently known in the art. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , paddle member  410  further includes handle  424  longitudinally opposite first end  428 . Handle  424  is configured to be gripped by a hand of an associated user. Axis compass  430  may be formed on a receptacle member configured to operatively engage first end  428  of paddle member  410 . The receptacle member may include a slot dimensioned for receipt over at least a portion of first end  428  of paddle member  410 . Indicia  432  may be formed directly on the receptacle member. The receptacle member may be integrated with a retinoscopy paddle via any means presently known in the art. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show front surface  412  of retinoscopy paddle  400 . Front surface  412  is opposite the rear surface of paddle member  410 . At least one of front surface  412  and the rear surface of paddle member  410  includes indicia  432 . Indicia  432  may be formed directly on front surface  412 . Alternatively, indicia  432  may be painted, embossed, drawn, carved, or otherwise formed on front surface  412  by any means presently known in the art. At least one opening  416  extends through paddle member  410  from front surface  412  to the read surface. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show first end  428  of retinoscopy paddle  400 . Handle  424  is longitudinally opposite first end  428  of retinoscopy paddle  400 . 
         [0031]    By way of example, and not limitation, an axis compass may be integrated with a retinoscopy paddle by sliding a first end of the retinoscopy paddle into a mating recess of the axis compass. The integration of the axis compass and retinoscopy paddle could alternatively be performed by securing the retinoscopy paddle to the axis compass using a retainer clip. The axis compass may be integrated with the retinoscopy paddle via any means presently known in the art. 
         [0032]    While the subject novel concept has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles of the subject novel concept. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present novel concept and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that the subject novel concept be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.