A survey of U.S. Air Force flyers regarding their use of extended wear contact lenses.
We reviewed the USAF Tactical Air Command's (TAC) contact lens database for the period July 1989 through June 1991. An anonymous survey was mailed to 396 TAC aircrew members in February 1992 to assess their experiences using extended wear soft contact lenses (EWSCL). Analysis was performed on those responses to compare differences between aviators who currently wear (CW), those who discontinued wear (DCW), and flyers who wore EWSCL while deployed to S.W. Asia for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Of the 396 surveyed, 284 (72%) returned the survey and demonstrated that the daily use of EWSCL to be logistically practical and physiologically safe. No ocular malady was reported that would preclude continued use by aircrews. Desert Shield/Storm experiences documented that the use of EWSCL by USAF aircrews in a desert environment was possible. Logistical difficulties for the small number who either deployed with inadequate supplies or required replacement lenses were shown to be the primary challenge to the wear of EWSCL during Desert Shield/Storm. Subjectively, aircrews expressed strong beliefs that EWSCL contributed to their abilities as combat aviators.
USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, TX.
R J
RJ
Moore
R P
RP
Green
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003889:Desert Climate; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East; D008889:Military Personnel; D014857:Warfare