The use of contact lenses by U.S. civilian pilots

Since 1976, the use of contact lenses by civilian pilots has been permitted to correct distant vision for obtaining a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aeromedical certificate. This study examined the civil airman population's experience with contact lens use for a 30-year period (1967 to 1997).

Population totals for airmen who carried pathology codes 161 (contact lens) and 158 (orthokeratology) from January 1, 1967 through December 31, 1997 were used to calculate prevalence rates by class of medical certificate and age. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA databases were queried to determine if contact lens use had contributed to aviation mishaps.

The prevalence of contact lens use grew faster for first-class medical certificate holders and airmen > or = 40 years of age during the period. The frequency of airmen with orthokeratology increased by 23 times in a 10-year period. Reports from five aviation accidents and one incident suggested that contact lens use was a contributing factor in these mishaps.

Professional pilots and older airmen were found to be more inclined to use contact lenses. The increasing use of contact lenses and the rapid changes in contact lens technology warrant continued monitoring to ensure aviation safety.