Byeong-Yeon Moon

Smooth-pursuit eye movements without head movement disrupt the static body balance.

[Purpose] To investigate the changes of body balance in static posture in smooth-pursuit eye movements (SPEMs) without head movement. [Subjects and Methods] Forty subjects (24 males, 16 females) aged 23.24 ± 2.58 years participated. SPEMs were activated in three directions (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal movements); the target speed was set at three conditions (10°/s, 20°/s, and 30°/s); and the binocular visual field was limited to 50°. To compare the body balance changes, the general stability (ST) and the fall risk index (FI) were measured with TETRAX. The subjects wore a head-neck collar and stood on a balance plate for 32 s during each measurement in three directions. SPEMs were induced to each subject with nine target speeds and directions. All measured values were compared with those in stationary fixation. [Results] The ST and FI increased significantly in all SPEMs directions, with an increased target speed than that in stationary fixation. In the same condition of the target speed, the FI had the highest value relative to diagonal SPEMs. [Conclusion] SPEMs without head movement disrupt the stability of body balance in a static posture, and diagonal SPEMs may have a more negative effect in maintaining body balance than horizontal or vertical SPEMs.

Body balance under ametropic conditions induced by spherical lenses in an upright position

[Purpose] To investigate the changes in body balance under ametropic conditions induced by spherical lenses in an upright position. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty subjects (10 males, 10 females) of average age 23.4±2.70 years participated and they were fully corrected by subjective refraction. To induce ametropic conditions (binocular myopia and hyperopia), lenses of ±0.50 D, ±1.00 D, ±1.50 D, ±2.00 D, ±3.00 D, ±4.00 D and ±5.00 D were used. General stability (ST), fall risk index (FI), and sway path (SP) were analyzed through changes in synchronization of left/right and toe/heel, as measured by the biofeedback system, TETRAX. Measurement was performed for 32 seconds for each condition. [Results] ST increased significantly from +0.50 D-induced myopia and from −1.00 D-induced hyperopia as compared with corrected emmetropia. FI increased significantly from +4.00 D-induced myopia and from −1.50 D-induced hyperopia as compared with corrected emmetropia. In SP, which means a change of body balance, toe/heel was significantly greater than left/right in all ametropic conditions. SP of right/left synchronization was not affected by the side of the dominant eye. [Conclusion] An uncorrected hyperope may cause subjects to have a higher risk of falling than an uncorrected myope. Therefore, clinical specialists should consider the refractive condition, especially hyperopia, when analyzing body balance.

Improvement of Vergence Movements by Vision Therapy Decreases K-ARS Scores of Symptomatic ADHD Children.

[Purpose] To determine whether the improvement of vergence movements by vision therapy can decrease the K-ARS scores of symptomatic ADHD children. [Methods] Eighty-one out of 1,123 children surveyed using the K-ARS, a parents’-reported questionnaire, led to 16 of these 81 children being showed scores of ≥19, and measurement of binocular function diagnosed as having convergence insufficiency. The 16 children were divided equally into a control group and a vision therapy group. [Results] After vision therapy for 12 weeks, near point convergence (4.38±0.69 cm) significantly neared compared to the near point convergence before vision therapy (11.50±2.28 cm), and both the break point (32.38±2.53 Δ) and recovery point (19.75±2.11 Δ) of near positive fusional vergence significantly improved compared to their values before vision therapy (15.88±2.64 Δ, 6.38±6.70 Δ, respectively). Near exophoria after vision therapy (7.81±2.00 Δ BI) significantly decreased compared to its value before vision therapy (12.00±1.16 Δ BI). The K-ARS scores referring to symptomatic ADHD significantly decreased after vision therapy (17.13±2.84) compared to before vision therapy (23.25±1.49). [Conclusions] Convergence insufficiency symptoms are closely related to symptoms screened for ADHD, and vision therapy to improve vergence movements is an effective method of decreasing the K-ARS scores.

Repeatability and Reliability of a New Phoria Test Using Flashed and Auto-flashed Presentation

The purpose of this study was to assess repeatability and reliability of a new phoria test as compared to established phoria tests and to assess the possibility of mobile or online testing using the auto-flashed presentation. Near dissociated phoria was measured using the von Graefe method, the Howell card test, the modified Thorington test, and a new dichromatic card test (Red-Blue Phoria card test; RBP card test) on 109 subjects. The inter-examiner difference and test-retest difference were calculated. With the auto-flashed presentation of the RBP card test, near dissociated phoria was measured and the intraclass correlation coefficient and test-retest repeatability was assessed on 26 subjects. The variation in inter-examiner repeatability was the smallest for the modified Thorington test (+3.1/-2.6). The RBP card test was +3.0/-3.1, the Howell card test was +3.5/-2.7, and the von Graefe test was +6.2/-6.0. The variation in test-retest repeatability was the smallest for the RBP card test (+0.4/-1.4). The modified Thorington test was +1.3/-1.3, the Howell card test was +1.27/-1.45, and the von Graefe test was +1.59/-2.20. The ICC was 0.919 for the auto-flashed presentation of the RBP card test. The RBP card test is considered a highly repeatable method clinically and can be made a useful application for testing in mobile or online.

Comparison of presbyopic additions determined by the fused cross-cylinder method using alternative target background colours.

Purpose:  To compare and contrast standard and alternative versions of refractor head (phoropter)‐based charts used to determine reading addition.

Changes in falling risk depending on induced axis directions of astigmatism on static posture.

[Purpose] To assess the changes in falling risk depending on the induced axis direction of astigmatism using cylindrical lenses in a static posture. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty subjects (10 males, 10 females; mean age, 23.4 ± 2.70 years) fully corrected by subjective refraction participated. To induce myopic simple astigmatism conditions, cylindrical lenses of +0.50, +1.00, +1.50, +2.00, +3.00, +4.00, and +5.00 D were used. The direction of astigmatic axes were induced under five conditions with increased cylindrical powers:, 180°, 90°, and 45° on both eyes; 180°/90° right/left eye, and 45°/135° right/left eye. Changes in the fall risk index were analyzed using the TETRAX biofeedback system. Measurements were performed for 32 seconds for each condition. [Results] The fall risk index increased significantly from C+4.00 D in 180°/90° right/left eye, C+3.00 D in 45°/135° right/left eye, and C+3.00 D in 45° on both eyes versus corrected emmetropia. Among the five axis conditions with the same cylindrical power lenses, the increase in the fall risk index was highest at 45° in both eyes. [Conclusion] Uncorrected oblique astigmatism may increase falling risk compared to with-the-rule and against-the-rule astigmatism. Clinical specialists should consider appropriate correction of astigmatism for preventing falls, especially for uncorrected oblique astigmatism.

Preparation and Characteristics of Photochromic Plastic Lenses by Hard Coatings

In this study, we have prepared plastic lenses with both photochromic and hard properties by hard coating, and evaluated their optical properties and surface characteristics. Photochromic effects could be observed on the UV spectra of the closed forms and the visible spectra of the open forms. Visible light transmittance of photochromic lenses was from 83.44% for graphite(GP) to 85.15% for blue(BL) in colourless state and from 71.10% for red(RE) to 79.98% for yellow(YE) in colour state. Red photochromic lens was higher in optical density(∆OD) and color difference(△E * ab) than the others. Photochromic lenses applied by hard coating showed good adhesion, hot water resistance, chemical resistance and surface appearance. Also, compared to the uncoated lens, hardness and abrasion resistance were increased. Consequently, this coating system could impart functional properties such as photochromic and hard coating property onto ophthalmic lenses.

Change Amplitude of Accommodation and Lens Adaptation after Adding Spherical Lens

Purpose: To evaluate the lens adaptation by comparing the changes of amplitude of accommodation against adding power of (±) spherical lenses. Methods: 51 subjects (26 men and 25 women) aged 21.76±1.76 years participated for this study. Refractive errors of subjects were fully corrected, S+1.00 D, S+2.00 D, S+3.00 D, S-1.00 D, S-2.00 D, and S-3.00 D were added in the order on each eye, and after that, monocular amplitude of accommodation (AA) was measured using a push-up method at 0, 15, and 30 minutes for each subject. The values were statistically compared to those of fully corrected state and the change level of AA between before and after adding lens was calculated as a relative ratio to the each spherical diopters added. Results: After S+1.00 D, S+2.00 D, or S+3.00 D was added, the AA was significantly (p<0.001) higher than that of fully corrected state. However, the change level of the AA was by 55~68% of the adding spherical diopter. After S-1.00 D, S-2.00 D, or S-3.00 D was added, the AA was significantly (p<0.001) lower than that of fully corrected state. The change level of the AA was by 72~105% of the adding spherical diopter. Conclusions: When prescribing a spherical lens related to accommodative functions, clinical practitioners have to consider that the change of AA is mostly smaller than the power of added spherical lens because of lens adaptation.

Crystallization of amorphous silicon films via electron beam exposure

An electron-beam-induced crystallization technique for amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin films was investigated. The high-energy electron beams (e-beams) transfer their energy to the silicon network, resulting in network relaxation and crystallization. The crystalline properties of the silicon film strongly rely on the e-beam exposure time and the acceleration voltage. The crystallinity of the silicon film depends on the a-Si:H growth method used. Silicon films with higher crystallinity can be obtained from thin films deposited via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) rather than from thin films deposited via sputtering. The PECVD silicon thin film showed more than 94% crystallinity and a ∼50 nm grain size after e-beam exposure with 1500 V acceleration bias for 180 s.

Predicting of Uncorrected Astigmatism from Decimal Visual Acuity in Spherical Equivalent

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the spherical equivalent visual acuity (VA) and uncorrected astigmatism. On 108 emmetropic eyes, the spherical equivalent VA was measured for cross cylindrical lens (CC lens)-induced astigmatic eyes and the VA-astigmatism relation determined. On 158 astigmatic eyes, the spherical equivalent VA and corrected astigmatism were measured and the measured values were compared with the calculated values from the VA-astigmatism relation by correlation coefficient analysis. Subsequent to that, the relationship between spherical equivalent VA and uncorrected astigmatism was made. The relationship was fitted for an exponential equation. Correlation coefficient between calculated values by equation and measured values for astigmatic eyes was 0.991 (p<0.01). The relationship between the spherical equivalent VA and the uncorrected astigmatism was decided as follows (spherical equivalent VA / uncorrected astigmatism): 1.0 / 0.25 D, 0.9 / 0.50 D, 0.8 / 0.75 D, 0.7 / 1.00 D, 0.6 / 1.25 D, 0.5 / 1.50 D, 0.4 / 2.00 D, 0.3 / 2.50 D, 0.2 / 3.00 D, 0.1 / 4.00 D, and 0.05 / 4.75 D. In conclusion, the relationship table devised from this study is a useful reference for predicting uncorrected astigmatism by measurement of decimal VA in spherical equivalent.