초록 ▼

A wavefront device (FIG. 1A) produces adjustable amplitudes in optical path differences and adjustable axis orientation angles, two substantially identical wave plates (225) have a wavefront profile of at least the third order Zernike polynomial function which are not circularly symmetric, as denote

A wavefront device (FIG. 1A) produces adjustable amplitudes in optical path differences and adjustable axis orientation angles, two substantially identical wave plates (225) have a wavefront profile of at least the third order Zernike polynomial function which are not circularly symmetric, as denoted by Z(i,j) where i>3 and jO. The wave plates are mounted in rotatable mounts (124) with their optical centers substantially aligned with each other.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A method of generating a subjective optical prescription with a Zernike wave plate having an ability to substantially continuously adjust its amplitude and optic axis angle, comprising: (a) providing at least one point source as the viewing target, (b) providing two substantially identi

I claim: 1. A method of generating a subjective optical prescription with a Zernike wave plate having an ability to substantially continuously adjust its amplitude and optic axis angle, comprising: (a) providing at least one point source as the viewing target, (b) providing two substantially identical wave plates with wavefront profile of Zernike polynomial function; (c) aligning optical centers of the wave plates; (d) rotating the wave plates in opposite direction in one or more substantially identical angular amounts until a patient indicates an optimal setting; (e) rotating the entire assembly including the two wave plates to an optic axis angle indicated as optimal by the patient; and (f) generating an optical prescription based on initial positions and rotation amounts of the two wave plates. 2. The method claim of claim 1, wherein the indicating an optimal setting comprises observing one or more distinct predetermined end points including: (a) observing an initial defused image of the point source converging into a elongated line image; (b) condensing of the elongated line image into a substantially round image; (c) condensing the round image into a sharp point image; or (d) condensing one or more star bursts around substantially a point image into a tighter point image with substantially reduced star bursts, or combinations thereof. 3. The method claim of claim 1, wherein the rotating of the two wave plates comprises rotating a pinion gear engaging with bevel gears of which one is mounted with each of the wave plates. 4. A method of determining second order and higher order aberrations of a patient's eye, comprising, (a) providing a priority list of Zernike functions in a predetermined order; (b) providing at least one point source as a viewing target; (c) selecting a first adjustable wave plate according to the order in the priority list; (d) placing the first adjustable wave plate in a patient's line of sight; (e) minimizing a refractive error of the patient by adjusting amplitude and angle of the first adjustable wave plate while the patient is looking at the viewing target; and (f) repeating (c) through (e) for one or more further wave plate according to the order in the priority list, until no appreciable further improvement in image quality of the point source is observed by the patient. 5. The method claim 4, wherein the priority list comprises Z(2,0), Z(2,+/−2), and Z(3,+/−1), in that order. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the priority list further comprises Z(3+/−3) after Z(3,+/−1). 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the priority list further comprises Z(4,+/−2), Z(5,+/−1), Z(4,+/−4), Z(5,+/−3), Z(6,+/−2), Z(6,+/−4), Z(5,+/−5), in that order, after Z(3+/−3). 8. The method claim 4, wherein the placing of the first adjustable wave plate comprises positioning the first wave plate of Zernike function in claim 7, at a conjugate, pupil, corneal or pupil plane of the patient. 9. The method claim 4, further comprising minimizing refractive errors of third or higher order Zernike function aberrations, including: (a) providing an input device to the patient, (b) varying an optic axis angle of an adjustable wave plate of third or higher order Zernike profile which is disposed at a conjugate corneal or pupil plane of the patient, while the patient is looking at the viewing target, (c) varying an amplitude of the adjustable wave plate of third or higher order while the patient is looking at the viewing target, and (d) receiving an indication that a predetermined end point has been reached from activation of the input device by the patient. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising varying the angle of the wave plate of third or higher order, finding an optimal angle position, and then varying the amplitude of the adjustable wave plate. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined end point comprises a sharpest image of the point source target as indicated by the patient. 12. The method claim 4, further comprising constructing contact lenses, or intraocular lenses, or determining an ablation profile of refractive surgery including LASIK, PRK, or LASEK, or intra-corneal surgery, or combinations thereof. 13. A device for determining or correcting aberrations of an eye comprising: (a) at least one adjustable wave plate, the amplitude and the optic axis angle being adjustable, (b) a priority list of Zernike functions based on which one or more adjustable wave plates are selected in accordance with an order of Zernike functions in the list, and (c) a point source as a viewing target, (d) wherein the one or more selected wave plates are placed at a conjugate corneal or spectacle plane of a patient's eye, and a patient searches for predetermined image end points while looking at the point source while angle and amplitude of the selected wave plate are varied. 14. The device claim 13, wherein the priority list comprises Z(2,0), Z(2,+/−2), and Z(3,+/−1), in that order. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the priority list further comprises Z(3+/−3) after Z(3,+/−1). 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the priority list further comprises Z(4,+/−2), Z(5,+/−1), Z(4,+/−4), Z(5,+/−3), Z(6,+/−2), Z(6,+/−4), Z(5,+/−5), in that order, after Z(3+/−3). 17. The device claim 13, wherein the ordering of the priority list is modified according to a aberration amplitude of the patient's eye in Zernike function as determined by an objective wavefront aberrometer. 18. The device claim 13, wherein the priority list comprises a modified list wherein the ordering is modified by a condition of the patient's eye, including a keratoconus or a corneal transplant condition, or both. 19. The device of claim 13, wherein the priority list comprises a modified list which is modified by weighting factors, relative values of which affect the ordering of the list as determined by the clinical experience of a physician. 20. The device claim 13, wherein the adjustable wave plate comprises: (a) a wavefront device that produces adjustable amplitudes in optical path differences and adjustable axis orientation angles, comprising two substantially identical wave plates with wavefront profile of at least the third order Zernike polynomial function, which are not circularly symmetric, as denoted by Z(i,j) where i≧3 and j≠0, wherein the wave plates are mounted in rotatable mounts with their optical centers substantially aligned with each other, and (b) adjustable wave plates of Zernike function Z(2,0) and Z(2,+/−2). 21. The device claim 13, wherein the adjustable wave plate comprises at least one substantially identical pair of wave plates having a Zernike function optical path difference profile. 22. The device claim 13, wherein the adjustable wave plates comprise a deformable mirror. 23. The device claim 13, wherein the adjustable wave plates comprises a liquid crystal wave plate.