Pseudophakia and flying personnel aptitude

Because of sensorial disruptions, aphakia post-cataract surgery is a cause of unfitness for the job of aeronautics flying personnel, its correction th anks to intraocular lenses nd a correct functional check-up permit to recon sider the fitness through a derogation given by the competent authorities. Equipment and methods : The authors realized a retrospective study on the 5 last years. 27 flying personnel, 24 to 76 years old, went through a catara ct surgery with implantation. The check-up includes a chemical exam complet ed by a morphoscopic, coloured and spatial study. Results and discussion : The files are more or less well-documented accordi ng to their origin. The flying personnel have an average of 4 010 flying ho urs. The average post operative hindsight is 30 months. - 3 wear intraocular lenses of rear chamber among which 1 is multifocal. - 7 were examinated at the CPEMPN with satisfying morphoscopic, coloured an d luminous sense compatible with the fitness. 4 are declared permanent unfi t: (1 professional pilot with bad results, 1 private pilot with other patho logies, 1 inexperienced stewardess getting through the admission visit with insufficient post-operative hindsight, 1 professional pilot declared unfit for its military activity in the reserve). - 4 are qualified with restriction. - 20 are qualified without restriction. Conclusion: The correction of aphakia with intraocular lenses permits in mo st cases to obtain good functional results compatible with the flying aptit ude.