The prevalence and aeromedical certification considerations of contact lens use by civilian pilots

Federal Aviation Regulations permit the routine use of contact lenses by civilian pilots to satisfy the distant visual acuity requirements for obtaining medical certificates. Specific information identifying the prevalence of contact lenses in the civil airman population is required to guide future medical certification decisions, policy changes, and education safety programs to aviation personnel. A descriptive, retrospective epidemiologic study was performed of active airmen by 5-year intervals for a 20-year period (1967-1987) using FAA data-bases and publications. The percentage of airmen who use contact lenses quadrupled during the study period. When stratified by class of medical certificate and age, the prevalence rates for airmen with first-class medical certificates and older airmen showed the largest increases. A summary is provided of aeromedical certification factors that an optometrist and/or ophthalmologist should consider while fitting an airman with contact lenses. The increasing use of contact lenses indicates a need for ongoing review of adverse changes and safety consequences for pilots. Key words: vision; contact lens; epidemiology; medical certification.