Search Results (6)

Swimming goggles still face numerous challenges in practical use, including deterioration and failure of anti-fog coatings, residual water marks on lens surfaces, and relatively short service life in complex environments. When swimming outdoors during winter, goggles also present an icing problem. To address these problems and enhance the performance of swimming goggles, this study employs a combination of plasma cleaning and mechanical spraying methods, utilizing HB-139 SiO₂ to modify the surface of goggle lenses, thereby fabricating lenses with superhydrophobic properties. The changes in lens surfaces before and after friction and immersion treatments were characterized using three-dimensional profilometry and scanning electron microscopy, further investigating the hydrophobic, drag-reducing, wear-resistant, and anti-icing properties of the lenses. Experimental results demonstrate that SiO₂ can enhance the hydrophobic, drag-reducing, durability, and anti-icing performance of the lenses. Under standard conditions, the contact angle of modified samples reached 162.33 ± 3.15°, representing a 48.77 ± 2.15% improvement over original samples. Under friction conditions, modified samples exhibited a 45.86 ± 2.53% increase in contact angle compared to original samples, with Sa values decreasing by 58.64 ± 3.21%. Under immersion conditions, modified samples showed a 54.37 ± 2.44% increase in contact angle relative to original samples. The modified samples demonstrated excellent droplet bouncing performance at temperatures of −10 °C, 10 °C, and 30 °C. De-icing efficiency improved by 14.94 ± 2.37%. Throughout the experimental process, SiO₂ demonstrated exceptional hydrophobic, drag-reducing, durability, and anti-icing capabilities. This establishes a robust foundation for the exemplary performance of swimming goggles in both training and competitive contexts. Full article

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe, rare protozoal infection of the cornea. Acanthamoeba can survive in diverse habitats and at extreme temperatures. AK is mostly seen in contact lens wearers whose lenses have become contaminated or who have a history of water exposure, and in those without contact lens wear who have experienced recent eye trauma involving contaminated soil or water. Infection usually results in severe eye pain, photophobia, inflammation, and corneal epithelial defects. The pathophysiology of this infection is multifactorial, including the production of cytotoxic proteases by Acanthamoeba that degrades the corneal epithelial basement membrane and induces the death of ocular surface cells, resulting in degradation of the collagen-rich corneal stroma. AK can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, which includes avoiding water contact, such as swimming or showering in contact lenses, and wearing protective goggles when working on the land. AK is mostly treated with an antimicrobial therapy of biguanides alone or in combination with diaminidines, although the commercial availability of these medicines is variable. Other than anti-amoeba therapies, targeting host immune pathways in Acanthamoeba disease may lead to the development of vaccines or antibody therapeutics which could transform the management of AK. Full article

Currently, many swimming goggle lenses use optical plates to maintain zero refractive power in air and water. However, people’s widespread use of 3C products has increased myopia significantly, so lenses have a demand for refractive power. Lenses will have different refractive power problems in water and air media. Therefore, we solved the refractive power change in air and water by using a plane Fresnel lens with a diopter to replace plano-concave lenses. In this study, a first-order design was created and then the microstructure of the Fresnel lens was optimized using optical software. The Fresnel lens simulation results showed that the error was within 5%, which was compared with the data using the lensmaker’s equation calculation. For swimming goggles, this error value is tolerable for human vision. Full article

This study evaluated changes in phoria and negative (NFV) and positive fusional vergence (PFV) when wearing a cap and/or goggles. Thirty-five healthy university students aged 20–25 years participated in the study. All participants were examined for phoria, NFV, and PFV at distance and near. A rotary prism was used before and after wearing a cap, goggles, and both a cap and goggles. The frequency of overall average change in phoria, NFV, and PFV after wearing swimming equipment compared with non-wearing ranged from one-third to four-fifths. The order of frequency in change was wearing of goggles and a cap, goggles alone, and a cap alone. The frequency of a prism prescription, determined by the relationship between phoria and vergence, was similar or higher for wearing than for non-wearing and higher at near than at distance. The effect on change in phoria and fusional vergence was greater when wearing both a cap and goggles than when wearing either alone. These findings demonstrate that wearing both swimming cap and goggles that contact or attach around the eyes influence phoria and fusional vergence by inducing pressure or pulling. These changes may contribute to the discomfort associated with the wearing of swimming equipment. Full article

Swimming goggles are important tools for swimmers; however, most of the commercialized swimming goggles are designed as one-size-fits-all, which may cause improper fit to a wearer’s facial shape. The present study is intended to review and compare the design characteristics of the existing swimming goggles and the published customization protocols of swimming goggles. The detailed design characteristics of lens, strap, gasket, and nose bridge of 26 commercialized swimming goggles were reviewed, and the dimensions (length, width, and depth) of five swimming goggles are summarized in this paper. Next, the customization protocols of swimming goggles were investigated, which consisted of three major steps: first step involves collecting a wearer’s 2D or 3D facial shape including eye and nasal root areas by using a hand-held scanner, and then using this scanned data to create a 3D contour shape of customized swimming goggles in a computer-aided design (CAD) environment. Second step requires the fabrication of the designed 3D CAD model of the customized swimming goggles by using a 3D printer using transparent and flexible materials. Third step includes conducting validation tests to evaluate the performance of the customized swimming goggles in terms of waterproofness and wearing comfort by comparing with the other existing goggles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that reviews the design characteristics of swimming goggles. The review results presented in this paper are particularly useful to develop not only swimming goggles, but also other types of wearable products such as safety goggles, military goggles, and any sort of sports goggles. Full article

In this study, we compared adolescents’ actual (expert assessed) front crawl swimming skills to their self-assessment in two conditions: in standard swimming (wearing a swimsuit and goggles) and in a simulated risk scenario (swimming in plain clothes without goggles). We postulated that education focused on water competencies is fundamental in preventing drownings. Experts evaluated the skills of 21 female and 21 male adolescents in both standard and challenging conditions. All were low-skilled swimmers aged 14–15 years. Participants were asked to self-assess their skills before and after each trial. Boys and girls covered the same distance in both trials. Their self-assessment did not change regardless of the difficulty of the conditions. Girls assessed themselves more accurately than boys. However, boys who underestimated their skills showed greater ability to utilise the experience gained from performing the task for a more accurate self-assessment. In conclusion, adolescents should be educated in total water competencies, and not merely in swimming skills. For girls, “water readiness” is thought to broaden their ability to adapt their swimming skills to nonstandard conditions. Aquatic education for boys should focus on developing self-reflection in order to create a long-lasting responsibility using their own swimming skills. Full article