The fate of eyewear in aircraft ejections

Ejection from jet aircraft has been exhaustively studied from many perspectives; e.g., causes of ejection, types and causes of ejection injuries, etc. Curiously, no reports exist describing the fate of eyewear in ejections. Many pilots wear required corrective lenses during flight operations, and many wear tinted lenses. What happens to these during ejection? What injuries are a result of the eyewear? What factors can be identified that influence retention of the eyewear and severity of related injury? Do contact lenses provide significant advantages? There were 48 ejections occurring between 1977 and 1990 that involved corrective or tinted lens use that were retrospectively examined using Naval Safety Center records and personal questionnaires. There were five contact lens wearers included. Retention rates were calculated as functions of several variables. Although 37 of 46 lost all lenses, each instance of retention occurred with visor down, oxygen mask on, helmet properly secured, and at lower ejection speeds. Related injuries were minor and occurred in only 20%. The utility and need for enforcement of standard operating procedures (i.e., mask on, helmet secured, and visor down) was clearly demonstrated. Only 19 of 46 clearly met all 3 criteria. Contact lens users were too few to allow meaningful conclusions.