Syllab2.txt "He who can take advice is sometimes superior to him who can give it." Karel von Knebel Subject: A proposed syllabus for a nearsightedness prevention program at a four-year aeronautical college such as Embry-Riddle. THE FRESHMAN YEAR 1. A two hour introductory statement for the entering student body about the general concept of nearsightedness prevention. 2. All pilots accepted into this program must have previously had 20/20 (in high school). The only issue will be a slight negative refractive status of their eyes. All students will pass the Florida Snellen-DMV visual test. The only issue will be failure to read the 20/20 line on the Snellen chart. a. There eyes will be free of any medical problem. (i.e., Glaucoma, detached retina, macular degeneration. "ghosting" or diplopia. b. All "risks" that are know shall be explained to them. Assuming they accept this scientific proposal, they will be checking their refractive status using their own trial-lens kit, and an eye chart. They will pay close attention to their distant vision generally. If they report any slight "ghosting", they will be removed from the study at that point. (Reference John M's statements) c. The "legal" control issue and responsibilities will be fully explained to them -- and that will be part of the preliminary review study. d. The current status of prevention (as the second-opinion) will also be reviewed, as per Steve Leung's site, www.chinamyopia.org 3. The publish statistics concerning the U. S. Naval Academy will be reviewed and understood. If the pilot is interested in this study, he should identify himself to us. His vision must be such so that he can function with out wearing a minus lens. (Pilots with refractive states from zero to +1/2 diopters would be encouraged to review the concept for possibly joining the study in the Sophomore year. The method of measurement will be taught using a Snellen chart and a simple trial-lens kit. The measurements will be made by the pilots and will be confirmed by the volunteer optometrist or ophthalmologist. A team of two pilots would exchange places if a phoropter (trial-lens) measurement is made. This is to insure that the pilots understand the measurements and can repeat them for consistency. Nothing further would be done in the freshman year. The pilot should think very carefully about his visual future to determine if he wishes to enter into the "practical-use" part of the study. It is essential that the student be taught control-system concepts as they apply to the dynamic behavior of the eye. THE SOPHOMORE YEAR Having review all information appropriate to the study, he would be part of a team of 100 pilots who would intelligently use the plus lens for four months. The group all measure their focal status (see original measurement in the freshman year). By now they would be experienced with this process. The would randomly divide themselves into two groups. Both groups would continue to measure their focal status at periodic intervals by use of the Snellen chart and trial-lens kit. The group using the plus lens would be given precise instructions about the proper use of the plus. The other group would simply record their average visual-environment in terms of diopters. The statistics of this type of work would be understood by the group of 100 pilots. At the end of four months final measurements by the pilots will be made, and the results will be discussed. If the refractive status of the test group and the control group is identical, i.e., both groups have no significant difference (.05 confidence level) the results would be written up and submitted to an engineering journal (IEEE/EMBS) for potential publication. If a difference exceeds the 0.05 confidence level then the effort will be continued. This result will be contingent on the judgment of the men conducting the study. If these results are excellent, then the pilots in the next cohort of pilots be offered the same opportunity to go through this educational process. The purpose is to ensure that the results are repeatable, with a completely different group of men. THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS The individual pilots can elect to continue with the preventive process if they judge that it is effective in helping them maintain 20/20 through their remaining two years at Embry-Riddle. PUBLICATION The results will be submitted for publication in the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society magazine.