Meeting the vision care needs of aircraft pilots

Of the approximately 640,000 currently active civilian aircraft pilots in the United States, many receive their vision care from optometrists. This report reviews the vision requirements for pilots and describes the results of surveys designed to determine whether the vision care needs of pilots are being fully met by optometrists.

Surveys were sent to 100 optometrists and 120 pilots in the Seattle, Washington area. The optometrists' surveys included questions regarding knowledge of licensing regulations and differences in examinations for pilots and nonpilots. The pilots' surveys asked about vision care examinations, experiences, and expectations.

The majority of pilots recognized the need for complete vision examinations, beyond those provided as part of their flight physicals. Their most commonly reported needs were for evaluation of any medical problems, obtaining correct lens powers, sunglass tints, and for information on vision enhancement. Results of the survey also indicated that optometrists were relatively unfamiliar with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and with the forms needed to report examination results to the FAA.

Many of the optometrists surveyed knew little about FAA regulations, test procedures, or required eye examinations. By becoming more familiar with basic information regarding these regulations and the demands of aircraft operation, optometrists can enhance their ability to provide complete vision care services for their pilot patients.