Systems, Methods and Devices for Monitoring Eye Movement to Test A Visual Field

Abstract

A method for evaluating retinal function and testing the visual field of a patient by monitoring how the patient tracks a target image on a display that comprises displaying the target image on the display such that if is located at a first position on the display and visible to the patient. The process continues by identifying what portion of the display the patient is looking at, selecting a location of the patient's retina to test, and calculating, based at least in part on what portion of the display the patient is looking at, a second position on the display corresponding to the selected location of the patient's retina. The target image is displayed at the second position on the display and the process identifies how many eye movements the patient made to look at the target at the second position. Based at least in part on the number of eye movements, the process determines whether the patient was able to see the target at the second position.

1 . A method for evaluating retinal function and testing the visual field of a patient by monitoring how the patient tracks a target image on a display, the method comprising:
 displaying the target image on the display, the target image being located at a first position on the display such that it is visible to the patient;   identifying what portion of the display the patient is looking at;   selecting a location of the patient's retina to test;   calculating, based at least in part on what portion of the display the patient is looking at, a second position on the display corresponding to the selected location of the patient's retina;   displaying the target image at the second position on the display;   identifying how many eye movements the patient made to look at the target at the second position; and   determining, based at least in part on the number of eye movements, whether the patient was able to see the target at the second position.   
     
     
         2 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A device for evaluating retinal function and testing the visual field of a patient by monitoring how the patient tracks a target image on a display, the device comprising:
 a display configured to display the target image on the display, the target image being located at a first position on the display such that it is visible to the patient;   at least one camera assembly configured to image the patient's eye to identify what portion of the display the patient is looking at; and   a processor configured to control the display and the camera and to analyze the data obtained from the at least one camera;   wherein the processor is configured to:   (i) select a location of the patient's retina to test;   (ii) calculate, based at least in part on what portion of the display the patient is looking at, a second position on the display corresponding to the selected location of the patient's retina;   (iii) display the target image at the second position on the display;   (iv) identify how many eye movements the patient made to look at the target at the second position; and   (v) determine, based at least in part on the number of eye movements, whether the patient was able to see the target at the second position.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the selection of the location on the patient's retina is perceived as being random by the patient. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the processor is configured to continue displaying the target image at a predetermined plurality of positions on the display corresponding to predetermined positions of the patient's retina until a map of the patient's retina is achieved. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein, if the patient makes a single eye movement to look at the target at the second position from the first position, the determination is made that the patient was able to see the target at the second position. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein, if the patient makes a more than one eye movement to look at the target at the second position from the first position, the determination is made that the patient was not able to see the target at the second position. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein if the patient makes more than one eye movement to look at the target at the second position from the first position, the processor is configured to re-test the second position on the retina of the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein if the patient makes more than one eye movement (e.g., more than one eye movement of M degrees) to look at the target at the second position from the first position, the processor is configured to identify the intermediary positions where the patient was looking and determine, based at least in part on the next eye movement, whether the patient was able to see the target when the eye was at the intermediary positions. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the position of the display is adjustable relative to the patient to aid with focusing the target. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the target jumps from the first position on the display to the second position on the display. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the target jumps from the first position on the display to the second position on the display after about 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 seconds. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the area of the patient's retina that is measurable is approximately twice the diameter of the patient's field of view on the display. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein there is only one target on the display at a time. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein any combination of the brightness, size, shape, color, or background of the target is variable. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device is used, at least in part, to aid with diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of glaucoma. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device is used, at least in part, to aid with diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of diabetic retinopathy. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device is used, at least in part, to aid with diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of retinal artery or vein occlusion. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device is used, at least in part, to aid with diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of retinitis pigmentosa. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device is used, at least in part, to aid with diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of hemianopsia and optic tract glioma. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the device is used, at least in part, to aid with diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of retinal detachment.