The use of progressive addition lenses to improve the daily visual function of children receiving topical atropine treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in visual function when progressive addition lenses (PAL) are added in children using topical atropine as a myopia control therapy. Daily visual complaints and the determination of their near correction were studied. METHODS: Forty children aged 7-12 years were recruited. Distance and near visual acuity, accommodative lag, heterophoria, near point of convergence and stereopsis were examined, and a questionnaire of daily visual complaints was administered. RESULTS: Significant differences in visual functions were found after the near correction was prescribed. Significant improvements in distance and near visual acuity, lag of accommodation and binocular visual function were observed, and fewer visual complaints were reported at the Harmon distance. CONCLUSION: The use of PAL is helpful for children undergoing topical atropine treatment for myopia control, particularly those receiving medium to high doses. This combination therapy could also be applied to younger children who have a low tolerance to contact lenses, with less risk of ocular adverse effects.

Evaluating environmental radiations of the tomotherapy facility by optimizing full factorial design of the TLD technique.

BACKGROUND: In the last 40 years, the number of deaths due to cancer has been the highest in TaiwanOBJECTIVE: To optimize the readout system of the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)-100H, the radiation rates among the Tomotherapy (TOMO) facility of the Department of Radiology Oncology of Chung Shan Medical University Hospital (CSMUH) were calculated with a 32 full factorial design (FFD). METHODS: A ten-month survey of the facility was employed using the sensitive and accurate TLD method. The TLD system was optimized for maximum temperature, heat rate, and preheat temperature of Harshaw 3500 reader. Eight analyzed groups with different factors were tested. RESULTS: The TOMO facility had significantly different radiation rates. The farther away from the gantry head, environmental radiation rates. The half value layer (HVL) was also determined. These results were compared with published. No significant contributions of environmental gamma radiations were detected except in the treatment room. CONCLUSIONS: Those were far below the occupational doses recommended by ICRP 60.

The Impact of Clinical Atropine Use in Taiwanese Schoolchildren: Changes in Physiological Characteristics and Visual Functions.

Taiwan is commonly noted for its high prevalence of myopia, as well as a long history of more than 20 years of using atropine to control myopia. However, the clinical implications are rarely discussed. This is a cross-sectional study investigating the influence of topical atropine instillation on ocular physiology, visual function, and visual discomfort in children. Aged 7 to 12 years, 212 schoolchildren were recruited and divided into the atropine group and the non-atropine group. Physiological characteristics such as pupil size and intraocular pressure were measured, and a variety of visual functions was also evaluated. A questionnaire was used to investigate the side effects and visual complaints caused by atropine treatment. There was a significant difference in pupil size (OD: 5.40 ± 0.90 vs. 6.60 ± 1.01 mm; OS: 5.42 ± 0.87 vs. 6.64 ± 1.00 mm, p < 0.001) between the two groups. Reductions in near visual acuity, accommodation, convergence ability, and stereopsis were observed in the atropine group. The horizontal pupil diameter enlarged, and visual functions were greatly affected after administration of topical atropine. The changes in visual function during atropine therapy need to be carefully monitored by clinicians, while patient compliance is usually the key to success.