EQUIPMENT AND METHODS OF VISUAL SENSOR SYSTEM REHABILITATION

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The visual sensor system is very important in life and sport activities. Its fatigue and overstrain cause myopia. The purpose of this investigation was to devise effective means of influencing myopia of the visual sensor system, in order to prevent or correct it. METHODS: According to Bates (1968), myopia is caused by excessive strain on the external oblique eye muscles. To remove the above effect it is necessary to design special exerciser that would allow control of muscles moving the eyes. A program of rehabilitation was therefor devised that included an exerciser which allowed subjects to move their eyes in a defined direction. Biomechanical stimulation was effected by custom designed stimulator to stimulate face mimic muscle fibers and biological active points. Forty five shooters of the National Belarus Shooting team were tested and their visual acuity determined by means of Accomodometer with Astoptometer AKA-01 (test object 3 and 1 were applied for long and short distances, respectively). Results and discussion: Twenty two shooters of various qualification took part in the experiment, their visual acuity being reduced in one or both eyes. If we consider the basic level of visual acuity to be 1, the gain in visual acuity was in the range from 1.2 to 2.1. The average gain by the end of the 4th experimental day amounted 1.5 for the right and 1.7 for the left eye, respectively, compared with initial value. The application of the devised methods led to an average delta gain of 0.35±0.16; 0.24±0.08 in the right and the left eye, respectively (t=3.85). Statistical analysis proved that the results were valid with a validity index of 99%. CONCLUSIONS: The equipment and methods used in the present study contributed to increase in accommodation volume and visual depth. The equipment and methods can also be used to relax visual tension in microscheme fitters, and it can be successfully used for IBM operators, operating on displays. REFERENCES: William Horatio Bates (1968). The Bates method for better eyesight without glasses. New York: H. Holt and Company.