Night vision goggle (NVG) visual acuity under ideal conditions with various adjustment procedures

Night operations involve diverse mission areas and require an increased reliance on the use of night vision devices, such as night vision goggles (NVG's). Any reduction in goggle or visual performance which goes undetected can have a serious effect on flight safety and operational capability. Under controlled lighting conditions, a crewmember should be able to obtain the best possible goggle performance, and to determine if the goggle is functioning properly. These data represent a sample of 218 current USAF aircrew members representing all crew positions in both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Three measurements of goggle performance, expressed as NVG visual acuity, were obtained. The first measure, obtained after crewmembers adjusted the goggles with their usual adjustment methods, showed that they routinely obtain less than optimal acuity levels; i.e., averaging between 20/50 and 20/55. The second measure, taken when the NVG Resolution Chart was provided to augment their "usual" method of adjustment, showed improved performance; i.e., averaging 20/45. The third measure, taken following participation in an NVG Adjustment Procedures class, showed the greatest improvement, averaging between 20/35 and 20/40. In summary, it is reasonable to conclude that aircrew members who are able to obtain the best possible performance for their NVG's under controlled preflight conditions will obtain the best possible goggle performance under the widely varying flight conditions.