Ophthalmic observation apparatus, method for controlling the same, and recording medium

Abstract

An ophthalmic observation apparatus of an embodiment example includes a moving image generating unit, a movement mechanism, an analyzing processor, and a first controller. The moving image generating unit is configured to generate a moving image by illuminating and photographing the subject's eye. The movement mechanism is configured to move the moving image generating unit. The analyzing processor is configured to sequentially analyze a plurality of still images included in the moving image generated by the moving image generating unit being moved by the movement mechanism to sequentially detect images of a predetermined site of the subject's eye. The first controller is configured to control the movement mechanism based on a change in a predetermined image parameter of the images sequentially detected by the analyzing processor.

1 . An ophthalmic observation apparatus for observing a subject's eye, comprising:
 a surgical microscope configured to generate a moving image by illuminating and photographing the subject's eye;   a movement mechanism configured to move the surgical microscope;   an analyzing processor configured to sequentially analyze a plurality of still images included in the moving image generated by the surgical microscope being moved by the movement mechanism to sequentially detect images of a predetermined site of the subject's eye; and   a first controller circuit configured to control the movement mechanism based on a change in a predetermined image parameter of the images sequentially detected by the analyzing processor.   
     
     
         2 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first controller circuit is configured to control the movement mechanism to stop movement of the surgical microscope when the image parameter of the images sequentially detected by the analyzing processor satisfies a first condition.   
     
     
         3 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the image parameter includes brightness, and   the first condition includes at least one of a condition that the brightness is maximum and a condition that the brightness is equal to or larger than a first threshold value.   
     
     
         4 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first controller circuit is configured to control the movement mechanism to start movement of the surgical microscope when the image parameter of the images sequentially detected by the analyzing processor satisfies a second condition.   
     
     
         5 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the image parameter includes brightness, and   the second condition includes a condition that the brightness is smaller than a second threshold value.   
     
     
         6 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first controller circuit is configured to determine a movement direction of the surgical microscope based on the change in the image parameter and perform a control of the movement mechanism based on the movement direction determined.   
     
     
         7 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the surgical microscope is configured to generate a moving image of an anterior eye segment of the subject's eye, and   the predetermined site includes a pupil.   
     
     
         8 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the surgical microscope is configured to generate a moving image of a posterior eye segment of the subject's eye, and   the predetermined site includes an optic nerve head.   
     
     
         9 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control of the movement mechanism based on the change in the image parameter performed by the first controller circuit can be activated and inactivated.   
     
     
         10 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an informing unit configured to perform informing when the image parameter of the images sequentially detected by the analyzing processor satisfies a third condition. 
     
     
         11 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a response receiving unit that includes a user operation device or a voice recognition device configured to receive a response of the user to the informing,
 wherein the first controller circuit is configured to perform a control of the movement mechanism based on the response received by the response receiving unit.   
     
     
         12 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a determining processor configured to perform determination of whether or not to perform the control of the movement mechanism based on the change in the image parameter performed by the first controller circuit. 
     
     
         13 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the determining processor is configured to perform the determination based on the moving image generated by the surgical microscope.   
     
     
         14 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the determining processor is configured to determine whether or not a treatment on the subject's eye is being performed based on the moving image generated by the surgical microscope, and determine not to perform the control of the movement mechanism when it is determined that the treatment is being performed.   
     
     
         15 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second controller circuit configured to perform at least one of informing, increasing in an illumination light amount by the surgical microscope, increasing in a gain of an image sensor of the surgical microscope, and changing of a determination condition regarding the image parameter when an optimum value of the image parameter acquired during the control of the movement mechanism based on the change in the image parameter satisfies a fourth condition. 
     
     
         16 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third controller circuit configured to decrease an illumination light amount by the surgical microscope on condition that the image parameter is included in a predetermined range after the control of the movement mechanism based on the change in the image parameter. 
     
     
         17 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the image parameter includes at least one of brightness, contrast, sharpness, and color tone. 
     
     
         18 . A method of controlling an ophthalmic observation apparatus including an optical system for observing a subject's eye and a processor, the method comprising:
 causing the ophthalmic observation apparatus to perform movement of the optical system and generation of a moving image of the subject's eye by the optical system in parallel;   causing the processor to sequentially analyze a plurality of still images included in the moving image to sequentially detect images of a predetermined site of the subject's eye; and   causing the processor to perform movement of the optical system based on a change in a predetermined image parameter of the images sequentially detected.   
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to execute the method of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The ophthalmic observation apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the informing unit includes at least one of a display device, an audio output device, and a light source.