Survey of Spectacle Wear and Refractive Error Prevalence in USAF Pilots and Navigators

Abstract

A retrospective survey of 5000 active aircrew records was performed at 12 United States Air Force (USAF) bases to obtain information about the prevalence of spectacle wear and refractive error. The data revealed that 27.4% of pilots and 51.5% of navigators/weapons systems operators (Nav/WSO) required spectacles when flying. Of the spectacle-wearing pilots, 12.4% required bifocals. Myopia was the predominant refractive error and a relatively large percentage of aircrew members had astigmatism of 0.75 D or more, e.g., 33.1% of pilots. At the time of entry into the USAF, refractive error data were clustered around emmetropia with a definite skew toward hyperopia.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA230447

Entities

People

  • Melvin R. O'neal
  • Richard J. Dennis
  • Robert E. Miller Ii
  • Robert P. Green Jr.
  • William M. Woessner

Organizations

  • United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Astigmatism
  • Classification
  • Eye Diseases
  • Flight Crews
  • Flight Training
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Ophthalmology
  • Schools
  • Security
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States
  • Visual Acuity

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Gender and Food Studies