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Rigid gas-permeable contact lens wear during + Gz acceleration
R J Dennis1, W M Woessner, R E Miller
1Aerospace Vision Laboratory, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5301.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses remained on the eye under high G forces, though they decentered slightly. Visual acuity decreased at higher Gz levels but was comparable to spectacles.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Aerospace Medicine
Background:
- Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses are used for vision correction.
- Understanding RGP lens behavior under extreme conditions like high G forces is crucial for safety and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the positional stability of RGP contact lenses on the cornea under high Gz forces.
- To assess the impact of high Gz forces on visual acuity while wearing RGP contact lenses.
Main Methods:
- Six subjects (one hyperopic, five myopic) were fitted with Pasifocon C RGP lenses.
- Two lens diameters were tested on myopic subjects.
- Visual acuity was measured at various Gz levels (+1, +3, +4, +6, +8 Gz) in different gaze positions using acuity charts.
Main Results:
- RGP lenses decentered 2-3 mm down the z-axis at high +Gz levels.
- Visual acuity reductions were observed at higher Gz levels.
- Performance was comparable between RGP lenses and spectacle corrections under high Gz.
- No lenses were displaced or dislodged from the eye during centrifuge testing.
Conclusions:
- RGP contact lenses demonstrate acceptable centration and stability on the cornea under significant Gz forces.
- While high Gz forces can reduce visual acuity, RGP lenses offer a viable alternative to spectacles in such environments.
- Further research may explore lens designs for enhanced stability and visual performance under extreme G-force conditions.