JP6296721B2 - Ophthalmic imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of an eye to be examined and captures an image of the eye to be examined, and a control method thereof.

  A conventional ophthalmic imaging apparatus has an optical system arranged specifically for photographing the fundus of the eye to be examined. However, it is possible to photograph the anterior segment of the eye by separating the distance between the ophthalmic imaging device and the subject, and by increasing the adjustment amount of the distance between the optical body of the ophthalmic imaging device and the subject. An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that can also photograph an anterior segment of an eye to be examined is widely known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a visible light cut filter is detachably disposed in front of an anterior ocular segment illumination light source to realize observation and photographing of the anterior ocular segment of a subject's eye with a single light source. That is, in Patent Document 1, when observing the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, the anterior segment is illuminated with infrared light by inserting a visible light cut filter. Further, in Patent Document 1, when photographing the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined, the visible light cut filter is removed to illuminate the anterior eye portion with visible light or the like from the optical axis, and the transillumination image is reflected by the fundus reflection light. Like to get.

JP-A-6-205742

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, only a transillumination image can be taken in photographing the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, and it is difficult to obtain, for example, an anterior eye iris image or an anterior eye peripheral image. That is, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, it has been difficult to suitably perform a plurality of types of imaging related to the anterior segment of the eye to be examined.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of suitably performing a plurality of types of imaging related to the anterior segment of an eye to be examined.

An ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an ophthalmic imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject's eye and captures an image related to the subject's eye, and generates photographing light for photographing the fundus of the subject's eye and is on an optical axis. A photographing mode for photographing the fundus illuminated from above the optical axis using photographing light from the first photographing light source, and an anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined. A setting unit for setting any one of a plurality of shooting modes including two or more different shooting modes according to the purpose of shooting; and the anterior eye as the any one of the shooting modes in the setting unit when the first imaging mode for capturing a section is set, the first illumination means for illuminating the front Symbol anterior segment from the first on the optical axis using the imaging light from the imaging light source, the wherein either as shooting mode in the setting means If the serial first second imaging mode for and photographing the anterior segment Unlike photographing mode has been set, different from the first imaging light source and a second photographic provided outside the optical axis using imaging light from the light source to have a, a second illumination means for illuminating the front Symbol anterior segment from the outside of the optical axis, said second illumination means, imaging light from the second imaging light source And a light diffusing member for illuminating the anterior eye part .
The present invention also includes a method for controlling the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus described above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably perform a plurality of types of imaging related to the anterior segment of the eye to be examined.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ophthalmic imaging device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a detailed structure of the anterior eye photography illumination light source unit shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a method for controlling the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in anterior eye iris imaging according to the first embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the light beam distribution of an illumination light source. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the process sequence of the control method of the ophthalmic imaging device in anterior ocular | radix imaging | photography of a to-be-examined eye. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the process sequence of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging device in anterior ocular | radix part imaging | photography of a to-be-examined eye.

  Hereinafter, embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that captures an image of the eye E and captures an image related to the eye E. In FIG. 1, only the eye E to be examined is shown in each part of the subject.

  An ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a base unit (1-5) that supports the entire ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, a head unit (6) having an imaging mechanism, and an operation for an operator such as a doctor to operate. A portion (8) is provided.

The base part of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 includes a base 1, a face holder 2, a chin rest 3, a zx stage 4, and a y stage 5.
The subject puts his forehead on the face holder 2, puts his chin on the chin rest 3, and stops his face and eyes at the time of photographing. The z-x stage 4 is movable on the base 1 in the z-x direction, and the y-stage 5 is movable in the y direction.

  The head unit of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 is configured to include the optical main body 6. The optical body 6 has a series of configurations that illuminate the subject eye E and shoot, and record an image of the subject eye E obtained as a result as the subject eye image. The head unit of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 100 moves back and forth / left / right / up and down on the base 1 by the movement of the zx stage 4 and the y stage 5 to align the optical body 6 with respect to the subject. Is possible.

Below, the detailed structure of the optical main body 6 is demonstrated.
The optical system of the optical body 6 is roughly divided into a photographing light source unit O1, an observation light source unit O2, an illumination optical system O3, a photographing / illumination optical system O4, a photographing optical system O5, and an internal fixation lamp unit O6. . The luminous flux emitted by the imaging light source unit O1 or the observation light source unit O2 illuminates the subject's eye E through the illumination optical system O3 and the imaging / illumination optical system O4, and the image is captured / illuminated. An image is formed on the image sensor 55 through the optical system O4 and the photographing optical system O5.

The imaging light source unit O1 generates ring light of white light that is visible light with the following configuration.
The imaging light source 11 is configured by, for example, a white LED array in which white LEDs that emit white light that is visible light are arranged in an annular shape. That is, the white light from the photographing light source 11 becomes annular light.
The photographing condenser lens 12 is a general spherical lens.
The photographing ring slit 13 is a flat plate having an annular opening.
The photographing lens baffle 14 is also a flat plate having an annular opening.
The white light beam from the imaging light source 11 is condensed toward the fundus of the eye E by the imaging condenser lens 12, and the light beam shape when passing through the anterior eye part of the eye E by the imaging ring slit 13 is annular. It is molded to be. Further, the photographing lens baffle 14 restricts the light beam projected onto the crystalline lens of the eye E to prevent unwanted reflection light from the crystalline lens of the eye E to be detected in the fundus image.

The observation light source unit O2 generates infrared ring illumination with the following configuration.
The observation light source 21 is a light source capable of continuous light emission, such as a halogen lamp or LED, for example, and emits infrared light due to element characteristics or an optical filter.
The observation condenser lens 22 is a general spherical lens.
The observation ring slit 23 is a flat plate having an annular opening.
The observation lens baffle 24 is also a flat plate having an annular opening.
Each configuration of the observation light source unit O2 is different from each configuration of the imaging light source unit O1 only in the type of the light source. That is, the observation condenser lens 22 condenses the light beam from the observation light source 21 toward the fundus of the eye E, the observation ring slit 23 adjusts the shape of the light beam in the anterior eye portion of the eye E, and the observation lens baffle 24 This prevents the reflected light from the crystalline lens of the eye E from being mixed into the fundus image.

The illumination optical system O3 relays the light beams generated by the photographing light source unit O1 and the observation light source unit O2 with the following configuration, and creates an index image for focusing the fundus image.
In the dichroic mirror 31, the light beam generated by the visible light source O1 is reflected, and the light beam generated by the observation light source unit O2 is transmitted and guided to the illumination optical system O3.
The first illumination relay lens 32 and the second illumination relay lens 34 form an image of ring illumination on the eye E by these.
The split unit 33 includes a focus index light source 33a, a prism 33b, a focus index mask 33c, a split shift drive motor M1, and a split position sensor S1. The focus index light source 33a emits light for projecting the focus index. The prism 33b is for dividing light. The focus index mask 33c shows the outline of the focus index. The split shift drive motor M1 is for shifting the focus index in the optical axis direction by moving the configuration of 33a to 33c in the direction of the arrow in the drawing (changing the focus state of the focus index). The split position sensor S1 is for detecting a stop position of the configuration of 33a to 33c.
The split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 is a motor for moving the split unit 33 forward and backward with respect to the illumination optical system O3. Specifically, the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 projects the split index in the observation image by causing the split unit 33 to enter the illumination optical system O3 when observing the eye E. Further, the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 performs control so that the split unit 33 is removed from the illumination optical system O3 when the eye E is photographed, and the focus index is not reflected in the photographed image.
The corneal baffle 35 is for preventing reflection of reflected light from the cornea of the eye E to be examined that is unnecessary for the fundus image.

The imaging / illumination optical system O4 projects an illumination light beam on the eye E and derives an image related to the eye E with the following configuration.
The perforated mirror 41 has a mirror at the outer periphery and a hole at the center. The light beam guided from the illumination optical system O <b> 3 is reflected by the mirror portion of the perforated mirror 41 and illuminates the fundus of the eye E through the objective lens 42. The fundus image of the eye E to be examined obtained by the illumination returns to the objective lens 42 and is led to the photographing optical system O5 through the hole in the center of the perforated mirror 41.
The anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 is a light source for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined.
The anterior eye illumination light diffusion plate 44 is a diffusion plate for diffusing light from the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43.

Here, a detailed configuration of the anterior illumination light source unit 43 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the anterior ocular photographing illumination light source unit illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 includes an anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p, anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d, and anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h. The anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p is an annular printed circuit board disposed on the outer periphery of the objective lens 42 shown in FIG. The anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are mounted in an annular shape on the anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p. Here, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h illuminate the anterior eye portion of the eye E with infrared light, and the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d illuminate the anterior eye portion of the eye E with visible light. Illuminate with. The turning on and off of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the turning on and off of the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are controlled by a CPU 71 described later.
The anterior illumination light diffusing plate 44 shown in FIG. 1 diffuses light beams from the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, thereby uniformly diffusing light to the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined. It functions to irradiate (white light or infrared light). In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, four examples of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43 a to 43 d and the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43 e to 43 h are provided. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. It is not something. These numbers are determined in order to create uniform illumination and emit a sufficient amount of light for photographing, and may be other than four.

Here, it returns to description of FIG. 1 again.
The imaging optical system O5 forms an image on the image sensor 55 after adjusting the focus of the fundus image of the eye E with the following configuration.
The diopter correction lens 51 is provided with a convex lens (51a) and a concave lens (movable on the optical axis) in order to focus on the fundus of the subject's eye E for myopia and hyperopia whose intensity is difficult to adjust with the focus lens 52. 51b).
The diopter correction lens advancing / retracting drive motor M4 causes the diopter correction-lens 51b to enter when the subject has high myopia, and diopter correction + lens 51a when the subject has high myopia. Is inserted into the photographing optical system O5.
The focus lens 52 is a lens for adjusting the focus of the photographic light beam that has passed through the central hole of the perforated mirror 41, and performs focus adjustment by moving in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
The focus lens drive motor M3 is for driving the focus lens 52 to focus, and the focus lens position sensor S3 is for detecting the stop position of the focus lens 52.
The photographic lens 53 is a lens for imaging the light flux so far.
The half mirror 54 splits the imaging light flux.
The image sensor 55 photoelectrically converts the photographic light. The electrical signal obtained by the image sensor 55 is A / D converted by the image processing unit 72 to become digital data. At the time of infrared observation, for example, an image after image processing by the image processing unit 72 is displayed on the monitor 73, and after shooting, for example, an image after image processing by the image processing unit 72 is recorded on the recording medium 74 (this An image may be displayed on the monitor 73).

In the internal fixation lamp O6, the optical path is separated from the photographing optical system O5 by the half mirror 54, and the internal fixation lamp unit 61 faces the optical path.
The internal fixation lamp unit 61 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and lights the LEDs at positions corresponding to the fixation unit selected by the examiner (operator). Then, the examiner can obtain a fundus image or the like in a desired direction when the examinee fixes the lighted LED.

Further, the optical body 6 is provided with a CPU 71, an image processing unit 72, a monitor 73, and a recording medium 74.
The CPU 71 comprehensively controls the operation in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 by controlling each component in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 as necessary.
The image processing unit 72 performs image processing on the electrical signal obtained by the imaging element 55 to generate an image related to the eye E.
The monitor 73 displays an image obtained by the image processing unit 72. Furthermore, the monitor 73 displays various information based on the control of the CPU 71, for example.
The recording medium 74 records an image obtained by the image processing unit 72. Further, for example, the recording medium 74 records various types of information based on the control of the CPU 71, and also records programs and the like processed by the CPU 71.

The operation unit 8 includes a joystick 81 and a shooting mode changeover switch 82.
The joystick 81 is disposed at a predetermined position on the base 1. The joystick 81 is configured to tilt in the front-rear and left-right directions as a whole, and includes a photographing switch 81a, a vertical movement dial 81b, and a focus dial 81c. The operator tilts the entire joystick 81 in a desired direction when moving the head portion (6) forward, backward, left and right. The operator depresses the photographing switch 81a when photographing the eye E, rotates the vertical dial 81b when moving the head portion (6) in the vertical direction, and rotates the focus dial 81c when changing the focus state. Let All of these operations are detected by the CPU 71 via a sensor (not shown). The CPU 71 drives an x / y / z actuator (not shown), a split insertion / removal drive motor M2 or a focus lens as necessary. The drive motor M3 is driven. The photographing switch 81a is a two-stage switch. The first-stage switch of the shooting switch 81a inputs an operation of a shooting preparation operation such as an AE (automatic exposure adjustment) operation or an AF (automatic focus adjustment) operation, and the second-stage switch of the shooting switch 81a is It is assigned to input the operation of the shooting operation.
The shooting mode changeover switch 82 is disposed at a predetermined position on the z-x stage 4. Each time this photographing mode changeover switch 82 is pressed, the photographing mode is switched in the order of “fundus photographing” → “anterior illuminating photographing” → “anterior eye iris photographing” → “anterior eye photographing” → “fundus photographing”. It is like that. Here, the CPU 71 detects an operation input of the photographing mode switching switch 82 by the operator, and based on the detection result, two or more different photographing modes corresponding to the purpose of photographing in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. Setting means for setting a predetermined shooting mode for actually shooting from among the above is configured.

  Next, the imaging operation in the imaging mode of the anterior segment of the eye E will be described.

  Front-eye transillumination is an imaging method for observing the turbidity of the crystalline lens of the eye E. The imaging light is emitted from the front of the eye E, and the fundus reflection light that has passed through the crystalline lens of the eye E is again the crystalline lens. An image based on the image when passing through is recorded. As the photographing light at this time, white light on the photographing optical axis emitted by the photographing light source unit O1 is used.

  Anterior eye iris photography is an imaging method for observing the iris part around the pupil of the eye E, and if the pupil is in a miosis, the iris part of the eye E is enlarged and an image with better observability is obtained. Is obtained. An operation method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 100 in this anterior eye iris photographing will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior eye iris photographing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
First, “START” in step S100 shown in FIG. 3 is triggered by the operation of the photographing mode changeover switch 82 by the operator to select “anterior eye iris photographing” and the CPU 71 detects this.

When the anterior eye iris photographing starts, in step S101, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1 that is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a is turned on.
If the result of this determination is that the switch SW1 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S101 until the switch SW1 is turned on.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S101 is that the switch SW1 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S102.
In step S102, the CPU 71 controls the subject eye E to perform miosis illumination light emission. Specifically, the CPU 71 performs control to irradiate the eye E (the anterior eye portion of the eye E) with white light emitted from the imaging light source unit O1 when observing the eye E before performing the anterior eye iris photographing. Then, the iris of the eye E is promoted to enlarge the iris.

Subsequently, in step S103, the CPU 71 determines the miosis state of the eye E to be examined. Specifically, the CPU 71 analyzes the observation image of the eye E imaged on the image sensor 55 via the image processing unit 72 and determines whether or not the pupil diameter is less than the threshold (in the present embodiment). And determine whether or not the pupil diameter is sufficiently small to observe the iris portion).
If the result of this determination is that the pupil diameter is not less than the threshold, the process waits in step S103 until the pupil diameter is less than the threshold.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S103 is that the pupil diameter is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S104.
In step S <b> 104, the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the miosis illumination and turn on the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43 e to 43 h of the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43. By turning on the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E can be observed.

Subsequently, in step S105, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
If the result of this determination is that the switch SW2 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S105 until the switch SW2 is turned on.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S105 is that the switch SW2 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S106.
In step S106, the CPU 71 turns off the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h turned on in step S104, and turns on the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d of the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 to perform an imaging operation. I do.

  Thereafter, in step S107, the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S106 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Through the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, in the anterior eye iris photography, the pupil can be reduced to enlarge the area of the iris portion, and the photography is completed with a necessary amount of white light projection. Therefore, the glare felt by the subject is small.
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the pupil diameter is used as a criterion for turning off the miosis illumination (S103). However, in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, whether or not the miosis illumination is turned off depending on whether or not the illumination time of the miosis illumination (visible light illumination) has passed a predetermined time. It is also possible to use a criterion for determining whether or not. Further, for example, as a determination criterion for turning off the miosis illumination, other determination criteria such as the number of blinks of the miosis illumination can be used.
Further, in the present embodiment, after performing the process of step S104 of FIG. 3, it is determined that the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 is ready for photographing, the process of step S105 of FIG. 3 is omitted, and step S106 of FIG. 3 is directly performed. You may move to the shooting operation.

  Anterior eye extraocular photography (photographing of the anterior eye periphery image) is an imaging method for associating the face of the subject in a series of fundus examinations or for recording the state of the eye E around the eyeball. It is. Therefore, photographing using the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d with less direct reflection is performed.

Next, the difference in the nature of illumination by the illumination light source will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light flux distribution of an illumination light source according to the first embodiment of this invention.
In the present embodiment, as the illumination light of the eye E, the condensed white light generated by the imaging light source unit O1, the condensed infrared light generated by the observation light source unit O2, and the diffused white light generated by the anterior illumination light source unit 43 are used. There is light and diffuse infrared light.

The arrow in FIG. 4 has shown the vector of the light beam distribution of an illumination light source.
The light generated by the imaging light source unit O1 and the observation light source unit O2 is condensed light that projects the images of the imaging ring slit 13 and the observation ring slit 23 onto the fundus of the eye E to be examined. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, these lights are condensed lights that illuminate the eye E from the photographing optical axis via the objective lens 42. Therefore, these lights have a strong directivity, and are only light having a diameter of about the pupil diameter at the time of fundus photography, and slightly spread by separating the head part (6) from the subject at the time of anterior eye photography. However, it is still a narrow luminous flux. An image of light having directivity is a flat and high-contrast image because almost no shadow is generated.
In addition, the light generated by the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 is diffused by the anterior eye illumination light diffusing plate 44 and becomes uniform diffused light including the periphery of the eye E. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, these lights are diffused lights that illuminate the eye E from outside the imaging optical axis without passing through the objective lens 42. Therefore, these lights are a collection of light beams having weak and multi-directional vectors as illumination light, and an image obtained from such a light source is made by soft reflected light and shadows, and thus becomes a soft image. .

The fundus image of the eye E is illuminated from a narrow gap called a pupil, and condensed light is required to capture a reflex image of the retina having a low reflectance. Similarly, the transillumination image of the eye E requires light that has passed through the pupil, and thus condensed light is required.
On the other hand, the iris image and the external eye image (anterior eye peripheral image) of the eye E are directly illuminated without passing through the pupil. For this reason, the condensed light is too high in contrast and is not suitable for a diagnosis target. On the contrary, if the light is diffused, a soft image is obtained, which is suitable for a diagnosis target.

Next, a processing procedure in photographing the anterior segment of the eye E according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior segment imaging of the eye to be examined according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when the anterior segment photographing standby state is entered (S200). At this time, in the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 100, it is assumed that the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned on by the control of the CPU 71 and the anterior eye portion of the eye E is in an observation state.

In step S201, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1 that is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a is turned on.
If the result of this determination is that switch SW1 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S201 until switch SW1 is turned on.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S201 is that the switch SW1 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S202.
In step S202, the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, and turn on the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d instead.

  Subsequently, in step S203, the CPU 71 performs a photometric process on the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This photometric process is for performing AE (automatic exposure adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S207 in the post-process).

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 204, the CPU 71 performs distance measurement processing in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This distance measurement process is for performing AF (automatic focus adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S207 in the post-process).

  The imaging condition adjustment processing in steps S203 and S204 is performed by processing the image obtained by the image sensor 55 after the processing in step S202 by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72. The CPU 71 that performs the shooting condition adjustment process in steps S203 and S204 constitutes a shooting condition adjustment unit.

  Subsequently, in step S205, the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and turn on the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h. Here, in the present embodiment, the lighting time of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d related to the processing from step S202 to step S205 is about several tens of msec.

Subsequently, in step S206, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
If the result of this determination is that switch SW2 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S206 until switch SW2 is on.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S206 is that the switch SW2 has been turned on, processing proceeds to step S207.
In step S207, the CPU 71 turns off the anterior-eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h turned on in step S205, and turns on the photographing illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d to perform a photographing operation. In the shooting operation of step S207, shooting is performed based on AE (automatic exposure adjustment) adjusted by the process of step S203, AF (automatic focus adjustment) adjusted by the process of step S204, and the like.

  Thereafter, in step S208, the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S207 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The anterior segment imaging of the eye E is performed under white light that is visible light. Therefore, it is desirable that the adjustment of the photographing conditions, that is, the automatic adjustment operation such as AE (automatic exposure adjustment) / AF (automatic focus adjustment) is performed under illumination of white light. Here, when the shooting conditions are adjusted under infrared light illumination, the photometric value and the distance measurement value will be shifted due to the wavelength difference from the white light used for actual shooting. Because it depends, correction becomes difficult.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF is performed before imaging of the anterior segment of the eye E (during observation of the anterior segment of the eye E). Only when performing, the white light is emitted.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF while minimizing the glare felt by the subject. As a result, it is possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye E, and obtain an anterior segment image with good appearance.

In addition, the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is arranged on the photographing optical axis via the objective lens 42 when a photographing mode (first photographing mode) for photographing an anterior ocular transillumination image is set. To an imaging light source O1 (first illumination means) for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. At this time, the imaging light source unit O1 performs illumination via an illumination optical system configured to collect the annular light on the eye E to be examined.
Furthermore, the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment sets the objective lens 42 when a shooting mode (second shooting mode) for shooting an anterior eye iris image or an anterior eye peripheral image is set. and a eye illumination white LED43a～43 d before illuminating the anterior segment of the eye E from the outside of the photographing optical axis without passing through. At this time, the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d perform illumination via the anterior illumination light diffusion plate 44 that is a light diffusing member for diffusing light.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to suitably perform a plurality of types of imaging related to the anterior segment of the eye E. For example, in photographing an anterior eye iris image, when the eye E is illuminated from the photographing optical axis via the objective lens 42 (that is, illuminated from the front of the eyeball), the image of the iris part is blown out by specular reflection components. However, in this embodiment, since the eye E is illuminated from outside the imaging optical axis, such a problem can be avoided.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The schematic configuration of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the schematic configuration of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a processing procedure in imaging of the anterior segment of the eye E according to the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior segment imaging of the eye to be examined according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 starts when the anterior segment photographing standby state is entered (S300). At this time, in the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 100, it is assumed that the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned on by the control of the CPU 71 and the anterior eye portion of the eye E is in an observation state.

In step S301, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
If the result of this determination is that switch SW1 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S301 until switch SW1 is on.

On the other hand, if the switch SW1 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302.
In step S302, the CPU 71 performs photometric processing on the anterior segment of the eye E. This photometric process is performed in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E (specifically, the anterior segment of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h). Done.

  Subsequently, in step S303, the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This distance measurement processing is an observation state of the anterior eye portion of the eye E (specifically, a state in which the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h). Done in

  The processing in steps S302 and S303 is performed by processing the image obtained by the imaging element 55 in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72. At this time, as described above, the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with the infrared light from the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h. Therefore, the photometry value and the distance measurement value obtained by the processing in steps S302 and S303 are optimized for infrared light, and are optimal in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined by infrared light. However, it is not optimal when shooting in white light. That is, the processing in steps S302 and S303 is processing for obtaining an optimal observation image (observation image) of the anterior eye portion of the eye E in the observation state of the anterior eye portion of the eye E.

Subsequently, in step S304, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
If the result of this determination is that the switch SW2 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S304 until the switch SW2 is turned on.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S304 is that the switch SW2 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S305.
In step S305, the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, and turn on the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d instead.

  Subsequently, in step S306, the CPU 71 performs a photometric process on the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This photometric processing is for performing AE (automatic exposure adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior eye part of the eye E (post-step S308).

  Subsequently, in step S307, the CPU 71 performs distance measurement processing in the anterior segment of the eye E. This distance measurement process is for performing AF (automatic focus adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S308 in the post-process).

  The photographing condition adjustment processing in steps S306 and S307 is performed by processing the image obtained by the image sensor 55 after the processing in step S305 by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72. The CPU 71 that performs the shooting condition adjustment process in steps S306 and S307 constitutes a shooting condition adjustment unit.

  Subsequently, in step S308, the CPU 71 performs a shooting operation in the state of step S305 (that is, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned off and the shooting illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d are turned on). In the photographing operation in step S308, photographing is performed based on AE (automatic exposure adjustment) adjusted by the process in step S306, AF (automatic focus adjustment) adjusted by the process in step S307, and the like.

  Thereafter, in step S309, the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S308 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the imaging condition such as AE / AF can be adjusted just by emitting white light of about several tens of msec after the observation and immediately before imaging. It is possible to perform a suitable shooting without a sense of incongruity.
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the accuracy of adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF while minimizing the glare felt by the subject. As a result, it is possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye E, and obtain an anterior segment image with good appearance.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing.
That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.
This program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program are included in the present invention.

  Note that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of implementation in practicing the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. It is. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

1 base, 2 face holder, 3 jaw holder, 4 z-x stage, 5 y stage, 6 optical body, 8 operation section, 11 imaging light source, 12 imaging condenser lens, 13 imaging ring slit, 14 imaging lens baffle, 21 observation Light source, 22 Observation condenser lens, 23 Observation ring slit, 24 Observation lens baffle, 31 Dichroic mirror, 32 First illumination relay lens, 33 Split unit, 33a Focus index light source, 33b Prism, 33c Focus index mask, 34 Second Illumination relay lens, 35 cornea baffle, 41 perforated mirror, 42 objective lens, 43 anterior eye illumination light source unit, 44 anterior illumination light diffuser, 51 diopter correction lens, 51a convex lens, 51b concave lens, 52 focus lens, 53 lens , 54 Half mirror, 55 Image sensor, 61 Internal fixation lamp unit, 71 CPU, 72 Image processing unit, 73 Monitor, 74 Recording medium, 81 Joystick, 81a Shooting switch, 81b Vertical dial, 81c Focus dial, 82 Shooting mode Changeover switch, 100 ophthalmic imaging device, E eye to be examined

Claims (16)

An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject's eye and images the subject's eye,
A first imaging light source that generates imaging light for imaging the fundus of the eye to be examined and is provided on the optical axis;
A photographing mode for photographing the fundus illuminated by the said optical axis with the imaging light from the first imaging light source, said of the eye anterior part according to the purpose of taking two or more different A setting means for setting any one of a plurality of shooting modes including a shooting mode ;
When the first imaging mode for imaging the anterior segment Examples any shooting mode is set in said setting means, before the said first using imaging light from the imaging light source the light axis SL First illumination means for illuminating the anterior segment;
In the setting means, when any one of the shooting modes is different from the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode for shooting the anterior segment is set, the setting means is different from the first shooting light source and a second illumination means for illuminating the front Symbol anterior segment from the outside of the optical axis with the imaging light from the second imaging light source provided outside the optical axis,
I have a,
The ophthalmic imaging apparatus , wherein the second illuminating means includes a light diffusing member that diffuses photographing light from the second photographing light source and illuminates the anterior eye part . The second illuminating unit is a light source different from the second imaging light source, generates observation light for observing the anterior segment, and is provided outside the optical axis. Further comprising
The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing member further illuminates the anterior ocular segment by diffusing observation light from the off-axis observation light source. Said second illumination means comprises a plurality of said second imaging light source, and a plurality of the optical axis observation light source, according to claim 2, characterized in that it is mounted annularly on the substrate Ophthalmic imaging device. The said 1st illumination means illuminates via the illumination optical system comprised so that annular light might be condensed on the said to-be-examined eye, It is any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ophthalmic imaging device. The first illumination means includes
An imaging ring slit for passing imaging light from the first imaging light source as the annular light;
A photographic lens baffle provided to prevent reflected light reflected by the crystalline lens of the eye to be examined from being photographed from the first photographing light source;
Comprising
The illumination optical system, the first and the mirror portion component configured to reflect imaging light from the imaging light source directing the captured light to the subject's eye, the photographing optical system by passing the photographic light reflected by the subject's eye ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it is constituted by containing a perforated mirror and a hole component leading to. The second photographing mode, the front ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the eye iris image the image capture mode for the purpose of shooting. The second photographing mode, the front ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the eye surrounding image is an imaging mode for the purpose of shooting. The first photographing mode, the front ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the image capture mode for the purpose of capturing the Mete' Teruzo. Ophthalmic according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that before SL on the optical axis, further comprising a third illumination means for illuminating the observation light for observing the subject's eye to the eye to be examined Imaging device. The third illumination means includes
An on-optical axis observation light source that generates the observation light and is provided on the optical axis;
An observation condenser lens that focuses the observation light from the observation light source on the optical axis toward the fundus of the eye to be examined;
An observation ring slit for passing observation light from the observation light source on the optical axis as annular light;
An observation lens baffle provided to prevent the reflected light reflected by the lens of the eye to be examined from being reflected from the observation light source on the optical axis , and to be mixed into the fundus image of the eye to be examined;
The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to claim 9 , comprising: Ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 and a light path of the optical path between said first illumination means further comprising a first mirror for wavelength separation of the third illumination means. The light that illuminates the anterior segment by the first illumination means is visible light,
The light with which the anterior segment is illuminated by the second imaging light source of the second illumination means is visible light,
Wherein the light which the eye is illuminated by the third illuminating means, ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the infrared light. An imaging device that captures an image of the anterior segment illuminated by the first illumination unit and an imaging element that captures an image of the anterior segment illuminated by the second illumination unit are common. It further has a photographing optical system including an element,
The imaging optical system further includes focusing means, and a second mirror provided between the focusing means and the imaging element,
Claim 9, further comprising a fourth illumination means for illuminating mounted in the optical path which Ri min separated by the second mirror, a light source for fixing the eye to be examined to the eye to be examined The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of 1 to 12 . An imaging device that captures an image of the anterior segment illuminated by the first illumination unit and an imaging element that captures an image of the anterior segment illuminated by the second illumination unit are common. ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an imaging optical system including an element. The second illumination means automatically adjusts the exposure amount automatically and automatically from the second photographing light source before generating the photographing light from the second photographing light source when the second photographing mode is set. The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein light for performing focus adjustment is generated. A method for controlling an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject eye and captures an image of the subject eye,
Photographing the fundus illuminating from the optical axis using the photographing light from a first photographing light source that generates photographing light for photographing the fundus of the eye to be examined a shooting mode in which the steps of setting by the setting means any shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes including two and more shooting modes differ depending on the purpose of photographing an anterior segment of the eye, the ,
When the first imaging mode for imaging the anterior segment Examples any shooting mode is set in the setting means, using said imaging light from said first imaging light source by the first lighting means a step of illuminating the front Symbol anterior segment from the optical axis,
When the second imaging mode for capturing a first imaging mode different from the and the anterior portion and the as any shooting mode is set in the setting means, the first by the second lighting means a step of illuminating the front Symbol anterior segment from the outside of the optical axis with the imaging light from the second imaging light source provided in and out of the optical axis different from the imaging light source,
I have a,
The method of controlling an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus , wherein the second illuminating unit includes a light diffusing member that diffuses photographing light from the second photographing light source and illuminates the anterior eye part .

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