Contact Lenses on Submarines

摘要

In order to determine the feasibility of using contact lenses to correct the refractive errors of periscope operators, 174 operators (154 officers and 20 enlisted men) were fitted with contact lenses and their acceptability aboard submarines monitored. Extended wear contact lenses were shown to be safe for use on submarines for long periods of time and to provide improved visual performance. Corneal complications were usually minor and transitory. They included striae, infiltrates, epithelial staining and pits, and neovascularization. A surfactant type lens cleaner was often combined with an enzyme cleaner for maximum lens cleaning. Cold chemical disinfection was used except for those subjects exhibiting solution sensitivity; those were placed on unpreserved saline or hydrogen peroxide regimen. Lenses were replaced primarily due to tearing or deposit buildup. It is recommended that contact lenses be considered as an alternative to spectacles for periscope operators, and for others whose visual performance is hindered by wearing spectacles. For successful contact lens wearers, consideration should be given to making the submarine spherical refractive error standard for unrestricted line officers the same as those for unrestricted line surface. Should this be done, a back-up to the contact lenses such as the periscope eyepiece modification should be available. Keywords: contact lenses; submarines; periscopes; vision standards. (Author).