[405] USAF AVIATION VISUAL STANDARDS ASSOCIATED WITH CORNEAL-CROSSLINKING AND TOPOGRAPHY GUIDED PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY

摘要

TOPIC: There are currently 110 USAF aircrew personnel who are afflicted with a form of corneal ectasia, ranging from keratoconus (KCN) to pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD) to post refractive surgery ectasia. The USAFSAM Aeromedical Consultation Service Ophthalmology Branch has undergone several research protocols that have improved the ability to predict and engage in screening members for KCN. Despite these improvements, the USAF still trains aircrew members who eventually develop KCN or PMD. Thirty-one of these aircrew require special contact lens fit and distribution, including rigid gas permeable (RGP), hybrid, and scleral lenses in order to meet USAF aircrew visual standards. Based on the progressive nature of KCN approximately 10% of affected USAF aircrew will have their career cut short prematurely.