Contact Lens Use Under Adverse Conditions Applications in Military Aviation (1990) / Chapter Skim
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3. Military Aviation Environments and Contact Lens Use
3. Military Aviation Environments and Contact Lens Use
Pages 20-29
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From page 20... ...
Each of these scenarios presents distinct challenges for successful contact lens wear, yet, as mentioned earlier, some situations would seem to require the use of contact lenses in order to take advantage of their military potential. CONDITIONS ADVERSE TO CONTACT LENS WEAR Military aviators face a host of possible conditions that can influence the success of contact lens use in flight, some of which are described below.
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From page 21... ...
Low Humidity and High Air Flow Aircraft heating and air conditioning systems circulate cabin air constantly and remove considerable amounts of moisture from it. Relative humidity in the cabins of most military aircraft sometimes reaches 5 percent and is normally in the 5 to 15 percent range (O'Neal, 1990; Dennis, 1990~.
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From page 22... ...
Noxious Gases, Fumes, and Smoke Noxious gases from aircraft exhaust; outgassing of aircraft components, weaponry, or cargo; and mechanical discharge from heating and air conditioning systems may all contaminate the cabin environment. Organic solvent vapors, carbon monoxide and other partially combusted organic compounds, hydrazine gas from missile propellant, oil mists, ozone gas, and even carbon dioxide are just a few of many possible contaminants.
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From page 23... ...
Smoking is prevalent in many cockpits, especially tanker-transport-bomber-type aircraft, but also in high-performance aircraft as welt Many contact lens wearers find cigarette smoke a potent irntant. It has also been reported that ozone, which is present in increased concentrations in commercial airliner cabins and probably in military aircraft as well, acts as an irritant for both those who wear contact lenses and those who do not (Josephson, 1990~.
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From page 24... ...
Inadequate Lens Care Systems or Regular Follow-up Care Successful contact lens use relies on a system of competent fitting and regular follow-up care by qualified specialists (i.e., optometrists or ophthalmologists) , and the timely provision of lens care solutions and lens replacements.
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From page 25... ...
while missions occurring in desert regions may confront temperatures of 120°F. Civilian clinical experience to date seems to indicate that such extremes pose few special problems for contact lens wearers.
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From page 26... ...
In addition, glue-on optics mounted on the hood eyepieces have proven unworkable, leaving contact lenses as the only current option for pilots who require vision correction (Lattimore, 1990', Markovits, 1990~. The development of laser-protective eye gear usable both day and night has become a pressing concern with the increasing use of lasers on the battlefield.
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From page 27... ...
missions using larger aircraft operating at lower elevations and speeds for longer time periods; and · helicopter missions, specifically attack helicopters flying at low elevations and moderate speeds in high-particulate environments, often for lengthy time periods. F-A-R Missions Although F-A-R missions generally involve the most hypoxic conditions, these conditions are not ordinarily experienced for prolonged time periods.
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From page 28... ...
Mission duration: longer than F-A-R, usually 12 to 24 hours, but could extend to 36 hours; likely extended-wear mode required for contact lenses during mission. Visual requirements: among pilots, visual acuity important but not as many critical tasks requiring perfect acuity as in F-A-R; perfect visual acuity not essential for nonpilots.
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From page 29... ...
During this period, the unhygienic conditions of the field prevail, marking perhaps the most critical problem with regard to contact lens wear. Finally, helicopter personnel currently face the greatest spectacle incompatibility problems of any aviators, even as they face the greatest possible stumbling blocks to the successful use of contact lenses.
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