title: Effects of malicious ocular laser exposure in commercial airline pilots.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intentional malicious laser strikes on commercial pilots are committed by individuals who target a laser into airplane cockpits during takeoff and landing. Because laser exposure to pilots is a relatively new but growing occurrence, our study investigates the ocular effect of this laser exposure in pilots.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review by a single ophthalmologist.
  
  
  METHODS
  All commercial airline pilots (58 male, 3 female) who experienced a laser strike while flying between April 2012 and November 2014 who presented to our clinic were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was performed in a retinal specialist's practice. Ocular assessment was performed within 3 days of laser exposure. A complete ophthalmic evaluation was conducted, including Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity, colour vision, visual fields, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp examination, dilated fundus examination, colour fundus photographs, and ocular coherence tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four laser strike incidents involving commercial pilots were included. All pilots in the study experienced some degree of immediate ocular irritation or light sensitivity. No definite cases of ocular damage were attributed to laser strikes. No pilot had any functional ocular deficits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study revealed that laser strikes on aircraft did not result in permanent visual functional or structural deficits. However, laser strikes cause immediate visual effects, including glare, flash blindness, and ocular irritation that can interfere with a pilot's visual function. Given the widespread accessibility of high-power lasers and the rapid increase in incidents, laser strikes threaten to jeopardize aviation safety unless effective preventative measures are put in place.
authors.affiliation: Cumming School of Medicine. Electronic address: mmpalakk@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Mathew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Palakkamanil
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Calgary Retina Consultants, Calgary, Alta.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fielden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D002170:Canada; D000066479:Criminal Behavior; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology*