Military aviation and vision. The impact of aerodynamic force on vision Review article

Article Sidebar

PDF PDF (Język Polski)


Published: Sep 30, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24292/01.OT.231924
Keywords:
military aviation, aerodynamic force, aerospace medicine, flight safety, pilots’ visual

Main Article Content

Krystian Bakalarski
Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University in Warsaw
http://orcid.org/0009-0006-1425-1590
Katarzyna Ulaszewska
"Orbita”, Medical Center in Warsaw
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2941-4878
Katarzyna Różycka
Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University in Warsaw
http://orcid.org/0009-0000-4144-0588
Małgorzata Różycka
Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University in Warsaw
http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3643-0948
Piotr Nesterowicz
Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University in Warsaw
http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1999-6956
Alan Chamernik
“Orbita”, Medical Center in Warsaw
http://orcid.org/0009-0009-0987-084X
Kacper Kranc
Hospital of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Wołomin
Radosław Różycki
1. Ophthalmology Clinic, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Warsaw. 2. "Orbita”, Medical Center in Warsaw
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7040-026X

Abstract

The state of health and vision plays a crucial role in the effective and safe performance of duties by military pilots. Working in the air and exposure to aerodynamic stress can lead to various vision problems, which can be both temporary and permanent. Symptoms of dry eye syndrome, susceptibility to cataracts, and macular degeneration are more common among pilots than in the general population. Additionally, flights in hyperbaric chambers and significant aerodynamic stress can induce various ocular symptoms, such as corneal swelling, flashes in the eyes, or visual field disturbances, which can temporarily affect vision. Although most of these symptoms are reversible, there is a need for more scientific research on ophthalmic issues related to the work of military pilots to better understand these issues and develop appropriate prevention strategies. In the context of military operations, maintaining healthy vision is a key factor in the success of missions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Bakalarski K, Ulaszewska K, Różycka K, Różycka M, Nesterowicz P, Chamernik A, Kranc K, Różycki R. Military aviation and vision. The impact of aerodynamic force on vision. Ophthatherapy [Internet]. 2024Sep.30 [cited 2024Dec.4];00. Available from: https://journalsmededu.pl/index.php/ophthatherapy/article/view/3071
Issue
Ahead of print
Section
Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright: © Medical Education sp. z o.o. License allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.

Address reprint requests to: Medical Education, Marcin Kuźma (marcin.kuzma@mededu.pl)

References

1. Shaw DM, Harrell JW. Integrating physiological monitoring systems in military aviation: a brief narrative review of its importance, opportunities, and risks. Ergonomics. 2023; 66(12): 2242-54.
2. Lattimore MR. Military aviation: a contact lens review. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1990; 61(10): 946-9.
3. Posselt BN, Winterbottom M. Are new vision standards and tests needed for military aircrew using 3D stereo helmet-mounted displays? BMJ Mil Health. 2021; 167(6): 442-5.
4. Tipton DA. A review of vision physiology. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1984; 55(2): 145-9.
5. Diaz-Piedra C, Rieiro H, Suárez J et al. Fatigue in the military: towards a fatigue detection test based on the saccadic velocity. Physiol Meas. 2016; 37(9): N62-75.
6. Lu Y, Zheng Y, Wang Z, Fu S. Pilots’ Visual Scanning Behaviors During an Instrument Landing System Approach. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(6): 511-7.
7. Gibb R, Schvaneveldt R, Gray R. Visual misperception in aviation: glide path performance in a black hole environment. Hum Factors. 2008; 50(4): 699-711.
8. Rainieri G, Fraboni F, Russo G et al. Visual Scanning Techniques and Mental Workload of Helicopter Pilots During Simulated Flight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(1): 11-9.
9. Walmsley S, Gilbey A. Debiasing visual pilots’ weather-related decision making. Appl Ergon. 2017; 65: 200-8.
10. Grady JN, Cox PH, Nag S et al. Conscientiousness protects visual search performance from the impact of fatigue. Cogn Res Princ Implic. 2022; 7(1): 56.
11. Dietrich KC. Aircrew and Handheld Laser Exposure. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(11): 1040-2.
12. Chorley AC, Evans BJW, Benwell MJ. Civilian pilot exposure to ultraviolet and blue light and pilot use of sunglasses. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2011; 82(9): 895-900.
13. Gao L, Wang C, Wu G. Hidden Semi-Markov Models-Based Visual Perceptual State Recognition for Pilots. Sensors (Basel). 2023; 23(14): 6418.
14. Sekuler R, Kline D, Dismukes K. Aging and visual function of military pilots: a review. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1982; 53(8): 747-58.
15. Distefano AG, Lam BL. Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(11): 1005-7.
16. McCarty DJ, McCarty CA. Survey of dry eye symptoms in Australian pilots. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2000; 28(3): 169-71.
17. Eng WG. Survey on eye comfort in aircraft: I. Flight attendants. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1979; 50(4): 401-4.
18. Park JY, Kim JS, Sim HE et al. Prevalence and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration features among pilots. Retina. 2024; 44(3): 475-86.
19. Kagami S, Bradshaw SE, Fukumoto M et al. Cataracts in airline pilots: prevalence and aeromedical considerations in Japan. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009; 80(9): 811-4.
20. Jones JA, McCarten M, Manuel K et al. Cataract formation mechanisms and risk in aviation and space crews. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2007; 78(4 Suppl): A56-66.
21. Liddy BS, Boyd K, Takahashi GY. Cataracts, intra-ocular lens implants, and a flying career. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1990; 61(7): 660-1.
22. Akparibo IY, Anderson J, Chumbley E. Aerospace Gravitational Effects. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL) 2024.
23. Tribukait A, Bergsten E, Brink A et al. Visual measures of perceived roll tilt in pilots during coordinated flight and gondola centrifugation. J Vestib Res. 2023; 33(1): 1-19.
24. Ungs TJ. Simulator induced syndrome: evidence for long-term aftereffects. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1989; 60(3): 252-5.
25. McMahon TW, Newman DG. G-Induced Visual Symptoms in a Military Helicopter Pilot. Mil Med. 2016; 181(11): e1696-9.
26. Newman D. High G Flight: Physiological Effects and Countermeasures. Routledge, London 2016: 272.
27. Cao XS, Wang YC, Xu L et al. Visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness in 594 Chinese Air Force aircrew – a questionnaire survey. Mil Med. 2012; 177(2): 163-8.
28. Yilmaz U, Cetinguc M, Akin A. Visual symptoms and G-LOC in the operational environment and during centrifuge training of Turkish jet pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1999; 70(7): 709-12.
29. Rickards CA, Newman DG. G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances in a survey of 65 operational fighter pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005; 76(5): 496-500.
30. Tsai ML, Horng CT, Liu CC et al. Ocular responses and visual performance after emergent acceleration stress. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011; 52(12): 8680-5.
31. Tsai ML, Liu CC, Wu YC et al. Ocular responses and visual performance after high-acceleration force exposure. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009; 50(10): 4836-9.
32. Liu HM, Bai CH, Liou CM et al. Central Corneal Thickness of Healthy Lowlanders at High Altitude: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Curr Eye Res. 2018; 43(4): 460-5.
33. Pokroy R, Barenboim E, Carter D et al. Unilateral optic disc swelling in a fighter pilot. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009; 80(10): 894-7.
34. Horng CT, Liu CC, Wu DM et al. Visual fields during acute exposure to a simulated altitude of 7620 m. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2008; 79(7): 666-9.