Archive for the ‘Optical Device’ tag
Optical device that measures and manipulates optical aberrations
According to news at optics.org, a research team in the University of Murcia’s optical laboratory has invented a liquid-crystal device that can correct vision in both eyes simultaneously. This device can help optometrists prescribe corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses. In addition, this instrument can also be used to simulate the effect of laser refractive surgery or any other advanced vision correction.
The useful device developed by the Murcia team actually consists of a single wavefront sensor and a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator. Through the way of modulating incident light, the liquid crystal can correct the wavefront of light entering the eyes. In detail, the liquid crystal contains proportionally rotated molecules. And researchers use approximately 58,000 independent pixels to control the wavefront of light entering each pupil.
Capable of measuring and manipulating the optical aberrations from both eyes at the same time, the device helps optometrists control what is natural in normal vision. This breakthrough significantly changes the situation in the past when doctors had to use a bulky glass frame and mechanically switched and adjusted lenses. The invention of liquid-crystal device can profoundly replace the mechanical wheels and the traditional letter chart. In addition, this system is believed by Artal to help doctors conduct experiments that involve the working process of visual system and vision simulation before a lens implant surgery.
In fact, this newly invented device is a natural extension of a former technology, which was also developed by the same team in Spain. As early as 2000, the team led by Pablo Artal created the first closed-loop instrument that was applied in the eye. After that, Pablo and his colleagues including Joshua Fernandez and Pedro Prieto have been trying to develop a binocular device that is capable of evaluating vision in both eyes simultaneously. After nearly 9 years’ efforts, the liquid-crystal device now announces their success. Currently, the team focuses on two directions of further research on both optical properties of the eye and the development of a more compact prototype.