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.

Terahertz plasmonic waveguide based on metal rod arrays for nanofilm sensing.

A high-aspect-ratio metallic rod array is demonstrated to generate and propagate highly confined terahertz (THz) surface plasmonic waves under end-fire excitation. The transverse modal power distribution and spectral properties of the bound THz plasmonic wave are characterized in two metallic rod arrays with different periods and in two configurations with and without attaching a subwavelength superstrate. The integrated metallic rod array-based waveguide can be used to sense the various thin films deposited on the polypropylene superstrate based on the phase-sensitive mechanism. The sensor exhibits different phase detection sensitivities depending on the modal power immersed in the air gaps between the metallic rods. Deep-subwavelength SiO(2) and ZnO nanofilms with an optical path difference of 252 nm, which is equivalent to λ/3968 at 0.300 THz, are used as analytes to test the integrated plasmonic waveguide. Analysis of the refractive index and thickness of molecular membranes indicates that the metallic rod array-based THz waveguide can integrate various biochip platforms for minute molecular detection, which is extremely less than the coherent length of THz waves.