SELF-PRESCRIBING AUTOMATED PHOROPTER WITH A VIRTUAL OPTOMETRIST

Smart overview of the Invention

The patent describes a self-prescribing automated phoropter system designed to digitally correct a patient's eye refractive errors. The system includes a head-mounted optometric device with lenses, an audio transceiver, and a display component aligned with the lenses. It features an optical measurement and correction component that identifies and corrects refractive errors, complemented by a communication component. This setup is integrated with a virtual optometrist capable of conducting visual eye exams, receiving refractive error data, generating corrections, and providing audio instructions to the patient.

Eye care is a critical aspect of healthcare, with a significant portion of the global population requiring corrective optics. The World Health Organization predicts that one-third of people will need such corrections in the next decade, emphasizing the need for accessible and affordable eye care solutions. Current technologies, like autophoropters, improve exam efficiency but still rely on subjective feedback from patients. The invention aims to enhance accessibility by allowing remote operations and utilizing cloud computing for data management.

This innovation introduces an AI-based virtual optometrist that performs tasks typically handled by human operators. By engaging with patients through visual and auditory means, it facilitates the optometric exam process and refines prescriptions using patient feedback. The integration of AI allows for objective refraction combined with subjective input, creating a standalone testing station capable of issuing reliable corrective prescriptions.

The system's design allows for remote operation via cloud-based AI, reducing the need for on-site specialists. This advancement enables eye tests in more accessible locations like shopping malls or even at home. The virtual optometrist can perform standard procedures such as fogging and cylinder adjustment, ensuring precise prescription finalization based on both objective measurements and patient responses.

A unique feature of this invention is its combination of a virtual optometrist with a home-based phoropter device, providing an automated solution for generating optimal eye corrections. This innovation stands out by offering a fully automated device that not only prescribes but can also apply corrections directly. The system's flexibility allows it to operate either through cloud connectivity or independently within the device itself, broadening its applicability across different settings.