1997 Canadian Forces Air Operations Vision Survey. Section VIII, IX, X, XI. Medical Support Issues.
Abstract
In 1997, DCIEM conducted an Operational Vision Survey of current Canadian Forces pilots. This second report deals specifically with the clinical and administrative support offered at the Base/Wing level and the use of spectacles and contact lenses. 1551 questionnaires were sent out 813 questionnaires were completed and 200 returned "undelivered" for a response rate of 61% of those actually received. On the administrative and clinical support questions, the majority of pilots favoured the selection of candidates with uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better and judged color vision as an important selection criteria. 46% of the pilots indicated interest in improving their visual acuity throughout the use of spectacles and 28% indicated they would consider eye surgery including photorefractive keractectomy (PRK!. When pilots were asked to consider potential adverse effects of surgery on visual acuity, contrast and glare sensitivity, the number contemplating surgical correction dropped significantly. 86% were receptive to yearly complete visual examination. Staff officers and operational pilots wearing spectacles were more likely than uncorrected individuals to accept yearly visual testing. On average the clinical support offered at the base level was judged as "acceptable" but the understanding of the specific visual requirements for pilots by the medical professionals was considered as "borderline". Pilots were more likely to discuss openly visual matters with civilian than military professionals and their reluctance level increased when previous grounding had occurred. 29% of the surveyed pilot population were wearing either spectacles and/or contact lenses. 6% of the group requiring visual correction were wearing multifocals but these were seldom correctly prescribed for their current cockpit environment Tactical and fighter pilots considered that their multifocals did not have large enough unrestricted and uninterrupted field of view.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA369129
Entities
People
- D. A. Salisbury
- G. W. Gray
- H. J. O'neill
- M. F. Heikens
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada