Retinoscopy paddle with integrated axis compass or adapter, and associated method

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retinoscopy paddle comprising:
 an elongated paddle member having:
 a front surface opposite a rear surface; 
 at least one opening extending through the paddle member from the front surface to the rear surface; 
 at least one lens received in the paddle member; and 
 an axis compass disposed adjacent a first end of the paddle member and including indicia on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the paddle member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  further comprising a handle configured to be gripped by a hand of an associated user. 
     
     
         3 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 2  wherein the axis compass indicia are formed directly on the paddle member. 
     
     
         4 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the axis compass indicia are formed on the paddle member. 
     
     
         5 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the axis compass is formed on a receptacle member configured to operatively engage the first end of the paddle member. 
     
     
         6 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 5  wherein the receptacle member includes a slot dimensioned for receipt over at least a portion of the first end of the paddle member. 
     
     
         7 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the axis compass further includes at least one retainer clip for securing the axis compass to the first end of the paddle member. 
     
     
         8 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  further comprising a handle configured for gripping by a hand of an associated user, wherein the handle is longitudinally opposite the first end. 
     
     
         9 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the axis compass is formed directly on the receptacle member. 
     
     
         10 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the indicia include marks approximately every 5 degrees from approximately 0 to 180 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein said paddle member includes a plurality of lenses, each received in a corresponding opening in the paddle member. 
     
     
         12 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one lens is approximately 16 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one lens is glass. 
     
     
         14 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one lens is recessed within the paddle member relative to at least one of the front and rear surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The retinoscopy paddle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one lens is either a plus or minus lens. 
     
     
         16 . An axis compass adapted for operative receipt on an associated retinoscopy paddle, the axis compass comprising:
 a front surface opposite a rear surface, at least the front surface having indicia thereon;   a first end opposite a second end; and   the second end configured for selective attachment to an associated retinoscopy paddle.   
     
     
         17 . The axis compass of  claim 16  wherein said second end includes a female receptacle dimensioned to matingly receive an end of an associated retinoscopy paddle. 
     
     
         18 . The axis compass of  claim 16  wherein the front and rear surfaces are semicircularly shaped. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 providing an axis compass;   providing a retinoscopy paddle; and   integrating the axis compass with the retinoscopy paddle.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of integrating includes sliding a first end of the retinoscopy paddle into a mating recess of the axis compass.