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Ocular problems in military free fall parachutists.
Leonard Gruppo1, Thomas H Mader, Ian Wedmore
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, TX 76544-4752, USA. gruppol@hotmail.com
Military Medicine
|October 24, 2002
Summary
Military free fall parachutists face risks of eye injury from lost goggles in cold weather. Subfreezing temperatures significantly increase symptom duration and impact ground missions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Aerospace Medicine
- Military Health
Background:
- Military free fall (MFF) parachutists may experience ocular issues if goggles are lost during jumps.
- Subfreezing temperatures pose a risk of corneal freezing and desiccation keratitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of ocular difficulties in MFF parachutists.
- To investigate the role of freezing temperatures in causing these ocular problems.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to MFF parachutists regarding goggle loss and ocular symptoms.
- Statistical analysis to assess the impact of temperature and jump experience.
Main Results:
- 79% of respondents lost goggles during free fall; 69% reported ocular symptoms.
- Symptom duration was 30 times longer in subfreezing temperatures.
- Subfreezing temperatures increased the odds of ground mission impact by 7.3 per 100 jumps.
Conclusions:
- Ocular symptoms are common in MFF parachutists after goggle loss, especially in cold conditions.
- Reduced risk of goggle loss observed with over 75 jumps.
- Contact lenses offer no protection; photorefractive keratectomy is not a risk factor.