Abstract

A device that generates and subsequently analyzes a retinal reflex may permit the detection, categorization and quantification of the optical properties of eyes with cataracts. This device utilizes a simple principle. An optical disease that degrades light passing from outside, through the optical media of an eye onto the retina would, in like manner, degrade light traveling in the other direction. This double pass, into and out of the eye, multiplies the degree of degradation by a factor of two. Certain optical patterns are known to correspond with certain optical states of the the eye. These particular patterns are "signatures" of that optical state. A characterisic "signature" is that of emmetropia. In perfectly focused eyes, there is a uniform low level retinal irradiance. This "normal" pattern is due to a unique interplay between the optical characteristics of the instrument and a perfect eye (fig. 1,1b topographical, 1c cross sectional). Any variation of retinal reflex from the "normal" pattern is due to the optical characteristics found in the eye. It appears that much information about any optical state can be deduced by comparing this "normal" pattern against an abnormal pattern such as is found in refractive errors (fig.2 myopia and fig.3 hyperopia) or cataracts.

© 1995 Optical Society of America