City Research Online

Abstract

There is a need for both accurate and practical methods to measure human ocular movements. Hitherto, little progress has been achieved in terms of producing suitable and technologically advanced equipment for use in opthalmic departments of hospitals, and to facilitate research into ocular disorders.

Two types of ocular motility are considered in this thesis. Relative Eye Movements, which are the discrepancy in conjugate eye movements, and Tremor Eye Movements, especially the condition known as nystagmus.

The present study describes the design, development and use of an improved system to measure eye movements, utilising advances in video technology but based on conventional opthalmic concepts. The incorporation of this technology has automated and substantially improved the Hess Chart Test which measures relative eye movements, and also provided a semi-automated and more accurate means of measuring the frequency and amplitude of nystagmus movements.

The efficiency of the equipment has been evaluated by direct testing of normal individuals and patients suffering from various ocular disorders.

The conclusions of the study suggest that this new automated system is more efficient than the currently employed conventional methods, which may be vulnerable to human error by both patient and ophthalmologist.

Furthermore, the tests are simple, flexible and fast to conduct, requiring relatively little calibration or setting up time. . They can be performed on patients with little experience, and without causing them any discomfort or anxiety since there are no attachments to the eyes.

The almost unique ability of the system to video record eye movements permits subsequent and, if necessary, repeated analyses of the tests to improve diagnosis. Furthermore, because the tests are conducted in 'real time', subsequent steps of the test procedure can be determined during the examination.

Although the initial capital cost of the equipment, is of e same order as some of the previous methods, the running costs are extremely low, because of the reduced manpower required. Furthermore the accommodation of the entire experiment on a mobile desk, drastically reduces the amount of space occupied.

The series of simultaneously obtained data during these tests provide invaluable measurements of the various parameters of optical disorders which argues well for better diagnosis and treatment.

These results may have important implications in providing a
better understanding in the field of eye movements and may contribute positively to the development of better techniques in e diagnosis and therapy of these important ocular conditions.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science Q Science > QM Human anatomy Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Department of Engineering School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

Export

Downloads