Contrast sensitivity: establishing normative data for use in screening prospective naval pilots

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Aerospace Medicine
• Visual Science

Background:

• Contrast sensitivity testing is a valuable adjunct to visual acuity assessment.
• No established contrast sensitivity standards exist for military aviation.
• Student naval pilots may possess above-average contrast sensitivity due to their visual acuity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative contrast sensitivity data for student naval pilots.
• To compare contrast sensitivity between student naval pilots and other military personnel.
• To evaluate the potential of the Small Letter Contrast Test (SLCT) for military aviation screening.

Main Methods:

• Contrast sensitivity was measured using the Small Letter Contrast Test (SLCT).
• Participants included 107 student naval pilots, 40 student naval flight officers, 121 experienced aviation personnel, 175 enlisted aircrew, and 185 pre-photorefractive keratectomy military personnel.
• Data were compared between student naval pilots and various military control groups.

Main Results:

• Normative contrast sensitivity values were established for the studied military populations using the SLCT.
• 95% of non-aviation controls scored ≥0.62 on the SLCT.
• 95% of student naval pilots scored ≥0.81 on the SLCT, indicating significantly better performance.

Conclusions:

• Student naval pilots exhibit significantly higher contrast sensitivity than the general military population.
• The SLCT demonstrates potential as an effective screening tool for military pilot candidates.
• Establishing contrast sensitivity standards for military aviation is warranted, beginning with normative data from aviators.