1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Overview

The study of the social, health, educational, and other aspects related to technology has led to the invention of modern devices that helps human in their daily routines. One of these technologies is medical technology. Medical technology is a part of technology which comprehends a wide range of health care products and is used to diagnose, monitor or treat every disease or condition that affects humans. These innovative technologies (application of science and technology) are invented by human to improve the quality of health care delivered and patient outcomes through earlier diagnosis, less offensive treatment options and reductions in hospital stays and rehabilitation times. Usually, when it is said about medical technology, most of us will think about Computer Tomography (CT) Scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-rays,

ultrasonography and others modern technologies related to medical. However, there are also other primitive devices that had been invented a long time ago and had been added some new technology such as eyeglasses or spectacles. Based on its contribution to the society, we had chosen this device as a subject of our project to find out more details about this technology. Since 1950s, spectacles had become a popular fashion accessory in Europe and the United States. People started requested for comfortable and stylish designs which displayed elegance while remaining functional. Fashion in spectacles is the next aspect that causes impact to the society. Frequent people nowadays searches for spectacles that not only can aid them to improve vision but also as an accessory that can advance their personality. Moreover, this new technology of spectacles also triggered impacts to societys economy. The new technology seems like it give a new breathe to the entrepreneurs especially those who are involve in the trading of spectacles.

1.2

Objectives of the Study

To improve our knowledge on the development of medical technology. To appreciate the benefits that the society is having due to the advancement of technology.

To enhance our communication skills through interviewing various case respondents.

To improve our writing skills in writing an academic project paper. To gain experience in doing research for the preparation for future projects. To increase understanding on the impacts of medical technology to the society. To encourage the development of well-rounded students by doing research and making a project paper regarding medical technology.

2.0

LITERATURE REVIEW

In this task, we have chosen spectacles as our medical technology device. The reason why we chose this is because nowadays, more and more people wore spectacles and they have their own reason for doing so. Furthermore, through research and development, spectacles are developing from normal vision-correcting spectacles into 3D glasses and so on. So, we would like to investigate the development of this device, what impacts does it cause to the society and what are the purpose of creating this device. 2.1 The History of Spectacles

Early magnification references dated back to the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs in the 5th century BC, which depict "simple glass meniscal lenses". According to Drewry, D., Richard (2007) The Roman tragedian Seneca, born in about 4 B.C., is alleged to have read "all the books in Rome" by peering at them through a glass globe of water to produce magnification. He added that a reading stone was created around 1000A.D to allow monks to read clearly. Later on, invention of glasses was made through the translation of Alhazens Book of Optics (1021) which explained the use of convex lens to form a magnified image. Ilardi, Vincent, ( 2007) wrote that the first production of spectacles was made in Italy about 1286, according to a sermon delivered by Giordano de Pasca, by Giordanos colleague, Alessandro della Spina. The early spectacles have convex lenses that helped to correct people with hyperopia or far-sighted vision and presbyopia that commonly occurs in older person. However, Johannes Kepler was the first to correct the explanation as to why convex and concave lenses could correct presbyopia and myopia. Over time, the production of spectacle which includes the frames also evolved. Early eyepieces were designed to be either by holding it in your hand or by exerting pressure on the nose which is called the pince-nez. Modern style of glasses, which held by a temples passing over the ears, was developed in 1727 by a British optician named Edward Scarlett. However, this particular style were not successful as glasses with attached handles such as the "scissors-glasses" and lorgnettes were much more fashionable from the second half of the 18th century and into the early 19th century. Another example of historical eyepieces is the monocle, where it was used to correct or

enhance the vision in only one eye which was worn by upper-class man during the 19th century. The monocle has a string that attached with the wearers clothing to avoid from losing the monocle. In the early 20th century, Moritz von Rohr at Zeiss, with the help of H. Boegehold and A. Sonnefeld, developed the Zeiss Punktal spherical point-focus lenses that had dominated the field of lenses for many years (Zeiss, 2007). 2.2 The Current Technology of Spectacles.

Modern glasses are certainly supported by pads on the bridge of the nose and by temple arms placed over the ears. The most common type of lenses used are the CR39 plastic lens due to their light weight, high scratch resistance, low dispersion and low transparency to ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Moreover, Heiting, Gary (2011) wrote Lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are the best choice for safety glasses, sports spectacles and children's eyewear. However, normal spectacles are claimed to be inconvenient and tends to fog up when a change in temperature occurs. Thus, through development and innovation, brand new technology of spectacles has been created. Such cutting edge technology of spectacles includes the emPower! Eyewear, the Optifog lenses, LightSpecs , PURE glasses and MODO Eco glasses. The emPower! glasses have a multifocal technology which is to allow the user to switch between focus zone meaning you can zoom in to read up close or zoom out to see normally. The lenses for this spectacle have virtually invisible layers of liquid crystals that can adjust focus zone whenever you need to. With a movement of the head and a touch in the temple, it activates the modes that allow the lens to zoom in. According to Nelson, Karen (2012) emPower! provides correction for all ranges of sight: near, far, and in between. It creates 50% less distortion or astigmatism (peripheral swim) and creates a wider field of view, 2-3x more than progressive lens. However, electronic focusing requires a continuous power supply. Therefore, emPower! provide a portable rechargeable battery so the user can recharge the power whenever the battery is low. Optifog lenses has an anti-fog coating that prevents the lens from fogging due to activity such as sports, eating or drinking hot foods and beverages, cooking and so on. This property can be activated by dropping Optifog Activator on each side of the Optifog

lenses. As a result, the tiny droplets of water that forms fog on the lenses will appear invisible to the wearer. According to Essilator, the creator of Optifog lens, the effect would last for a week. LightSpecs glasses or Light Reading Glasses have high-powered LEDs built right into the frame. This feature offers a great deal for people who tend to read in the dark. Moreover, these glasses are lightweight and comfortable to wear. Furthermore, it is equipped with a replaceable battery that would last up to 50 hours. These spectacles are made by Foster Grant. Pure Eyewear and Legacie have team up to create spectacles that are both lightweight and durable. The result, PURE glasses are made. These spectacles were made from an alloy called Xandium which is acid and corrosion resistant and has a friendly memory which literally means that they are very flexible and tends to pops right back into place after bending. They are also extremely lightweight and comfortable. The MODO Eco glasses are made from actual recycled material. These glasses are perfect for those who practise green environment and are very conscious of the environment. Whats promising is that a person can mail his or her old pair of glasses to get it recycled into a new pair of glasses. Plus, for every pair of glasses they sell, they're going to plant a tree.

2.3

The Purpose, Users and Usage of Spectacles

Different spectacles have different purpose depending on the main feature of the spectacles itself. For vision correction typed lenses, it is used to correct ones vision to form a clearer image. Safety glasses for example lab goggle are used to protect the eye from the eye from flying debris. Sunglasses, however protects the wearers eye from ultraviolet rays that can damage the eye and causes eye cataract. Sometimes, people used spectacles as a mean of fashion. The user of spectacles comes from all ages and depends on the purpose of wearing it. For vision correction typed lenses, it depends on the users vision deficiencies. Myopia is a condition where people sees far objects to appear blurred but near objects are seen clearly (short sightedness). This condition can be corrected by

wearing concave lenses. For hyperopia or where the person sees clearer image on distance object but blurred image on nearer object. This condition can be corrected by using glasses with convex lens. Presbyopia, a condition that occurs in old people mostly due to the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects through aging can be corrected by using convex lens. Astigmatism is an eye disorder which is caused by a non-uniform curvature in the refractive surfaces of the eye that leads to an abnormality in focusing the light rays on the retina. Consequently, part of the light is focused on the retina whereas the other is focused behind of in front of it. This condition can be corrected by using cylindrical lens. Most people used vision correcting lenses whenever they intent to see a clearer vision. Sometimes, users tend to not use their spectacles because of its inconvenientmeaning their image is not suitable to wear spectacles or so to say, while other claims that it is uncomfortable to wear after a long period. People commonly used safety glasses in the factory, laboratory and so on to protect their eye from damage. Sunglasses are normally worn when light intensity is high in order to protect their eye from UV rays. Sometimes they are worn for fashion purpose. Commonly, blind people used sunglasses to hide their eyes for aesthetic reasons. 2.4 Advantage and Disadvantages of Spectacles

Spectacles provide clear vision and are less expensive than contact lens. They are a lot easier to take care of than contact lenses. In addition, they are unlikely to cause certain side effect to your eyes because it does not come in contact with your eyeball. It can also prevent your eyes from injury such as protecting your eyes from flying debris. But spectacles sometimes can be quite annoying especially when they fog up. Some people even claimed that spectacles are uncomfortable, inconvenient and unattractive. On the other hand, contact lenses provide better visibility than spectacles since they are place centrally in the cornea and better peripheral view. An article from Killeen, (2007) wrote that the contact lenses are unaffected by change of temperature. These lenses are must for the active sportspersons, weavers and for the persons who use optical instruments such as cameras or microscopes.

Furthermore, spectacles are a onetime purchase. It save cost instead has to change it 3 months or 6 months like contact lens. For maintenance, cleaning spectacles involves wiping the lenses with a soft cloth and lens cleaner a few times a week and takes less than a minute. Besides, spectacles complement and draw attention to your facial features. Custom eyeglass frames allow you to embellish and express your individual style. Tinted eyeglass lenses offer your eyes for protection from UV rays that can cause cataract and make day driving easier.

However, spectacles can limit certain activities such as running, aerobics and other physical activities can be difficult and even dangerous when wearing spectacles. Sweat and movement can easily cause glasses to fall and break. Spectacles are unsuitable for some occupations, such as a firefighter or emergency medical technician. The frames of glasses can obstruct your view that makes the wearer difficult to see things that are happening around them. Glasses may not cover your peripheral vision depending on the shape of the frames and lenses you choose, making it slanted or fuzzy. Most eyeglass lenses are quite dangerous because of glare and halo effects in light. Glare is especially hazardous when driving at night or in the rain. Vision can be impaired if the wearer wearing glasses during certain weather conditions. Warm humid air can cause glasses to fog while rain and snow cause spots and smears that can make it difficult to see.

3.0
3.1

Case Study and Findings

Respondent 1: Vincent Kiong

Figure 2 Cutting lens is one of procedure to produce a spectacle. Mr. Vincent runs the lens cutting machine at his shop.

Mr. Vincent Kiong was born at Sitiawan, Perak. He was currently 28 years old as he born in 22nd August 1984. He lived with his family at Bandar Universiti, Seri Iskandar. He studied in a primary school at Sitiawan and continues study for secondary level at Anderson School, Ipoh. After he got excellent in SPM, he furthers his studies at Fellow of British Dispensing Opticians (FBDO).

After he had been put much effort during his studies, finally he managed to graduate as an outstanding student of FBDO. Finished graduating, with his fathers help and support from his friends, he managed to open an optical shop at Bandar Universiti, Seri Iskandar. A year after that, he married with his lover and had 2 children.

After 7 years operating his shop, Mr. Vincent said that the technology in spectacles has contributed many benefits to his entrepreneur. The latest technology, Transitions Lenses that change to dark when exposed to excessive sunlight, has attracted many customers that interested about it to come and purchased it at his shop. He added that his profit had increased dramatically since this new technology had been introduced to the world. Starting from that, Mr. Vincent take this opportunity to expand his shop by promoting other new technology in spectacles such as Vantage lens, Anti Fog Coating, Polarized lens and many more.

3.2

Respondent 2 : Rabiatul Adawiyah Bt Mat Ros

Ms. Rabiatul Adawiyah is a worker at an optical shop in Tesco Seri Iskandar. She was 19 years old. She was born in 8th September 1993 at Bota, Perak. She studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bota Kanan for primary level and continues her secondary level at MRSM Lenggong.

After SPM examination, she continued her studies at Perak Matriculation College and she managed to get a good result in final exam. Then, she applied for a famous local university and now she was waiting for the call to register at the university for September 2012 intake. While waiting for the call, she took this opportunity to work as a part-timer so that she could have works experience.

Ms. Rabiatul wore his first spectacles during she was in form 3. The main factor she has to wear it is she often read in dark condition as she likes study in the night. Days by days, her eyes started to blur and when she went to an optical shop to check her eyes, she got knew that she had suffer nearsightedness or myopia. Starting from that day, she started to wear spectacle as her parent also recommend her to do so.

When asked about the impact of the technology to her, she answered that the technology in spectacles had helped her lot in her daily routines especially when study. As mentioned before, his habit is studying at night. But now, with the help of the technology of spectacles, she can study whenever she wants even in the midnight. She added, indirectly, the technology also help her to get the job. This technology caused a lot of people started to open optical shop thus increase the employment opportunities for unemployed or part timer like her.

3.3 Respondent 3 : Muhammad Amirul bin Fuzi

Mr. Amirul is a student at University Teknologi PETRONAS. He is currently 18 years old and originally from Kuala Lumpur. He studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Sentul as his primary school and Sekolah Menengah Sains Tengku Abdullah at Raub, Pahang for secondary level. He is the second eldest among 5 siblings in his family.

He applied for Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS after he got an excellent result in past SPM examination. Fortunately, his application was accepted and he took this opportunity to realize his ambition as he really wanted to be an engineer. Mr. Amirul like surfing internet during his leisure time and he also love anything that related with music. Furthermore, he is a hardworking and discipline student as he has his own timetable in order to avoid wasting time.

Mr. Amirul started wore spectacle when he was 8 years old. He said that, in case of very often watching television at near distance, his sight becomes blurring. Due to this defect, his parent bought a spectacle for him. When we asked about the effect of the spectacles technology to him, he claims that the new technology had helped him a lot

during study especially in exam weeks. He often studies with his friends until late night in order to perform better for the exam. This new technology of spectacle had helped him reduce the tension and fatigue of his eye to focus more on reading and doing exercise.