A SURVEY OF US AIR-FORCE FLYERS REGARDING THEIR USE OF EXTENDED WEAR CONTACT-LENSES

We reviewed the USAF Tactical Air Command's (IAC) contact lens databas e for the period July 1989 through June 1991. An anonymous survey was mailed to 396 TAC aircrew members in February 1992 to assess their exp eriences using extended weer soft contact lenses (EWSCL). Analysis was performed on those responses to compare differences between aviators who currently wear (CW), those who discontinued wear (DCW), and flyers who wore EWSCL while deployed to S.W. Asia for Desert Shield/Desert S torm. Of the 396 surveyed, 284 (72%) returned the survey and demonstra ted that the daily use of EWSCL to be logistically practical and physi ologically safe. No ocular malady was reported that would preclude con tinued use by aircrews. Desert Shield/Storm experiences documented tha t the use of EWSCL by USAF aircrews in a desert environment was possib le. Logistical difficulties for the small number who either deployed w ith inadequate supplies or required replacement lenses were shown to b e the primary challenge to the wear of EWSCL during Desert Shield/Stor m. Subjectively, aircrews expressed strong beliefs that EWSCL contribu ted to their abilities as combat aviators.