Electro-optic binocular indirect ophthalmoscope for stereoscopic observation of retina

摘要

The present invention relates to a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope for observing and examining the fundus of the human eye. The ophthalmoscope of the invention integrates an electro-optic imaging system in the viewing optics of the ophthalmoscope. Advantageously, such integration permits the stereoscopic observation of the retina and choroid by employing radiation ranging from the near ultraviolet to the infrared, including the visible spectrum. A light source illuminates a desired portion of a patient's fundus and the radiation reflected in response to the illuminating radiation is brought to focus to produce an aerial image of the fundus. A pair of ophthalmoscope lenses then magnify and image the aerial image along two different optical paths onto imaging sensors, such as charge coupled devices (CCDs) and image cameras, or image tubes such as image intensifiers. Visible displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), cathode ray tubes (CRTs), or the fluorescent screen of the image tube, then photoelectrically convert the fundus images formed on the imaging sensors and direct corresponding visible images thereof to an observer's pupils by means of ocular lenses.