Visual performance in a flight simulator: multifocal intraocular lenses in pilots

Session Details

Session Title: Biometry & Quality of Vision

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 25/09/2018 | 08:00-10:30

Paper Time: 10:00

Venue: Room A2

First Author: : L.Lenton AUSTRALIA

Co Author(s): :                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the performance of two age-matched groups implanted with multifocal and monofocal IOLs in a flight simulator under realistic day and night-time conditions.

Setting:

Queensland University of Technology Vision science institute of health and Biomedical Innovation

Methods:

This retrospective, non-randomised, comparative trial assessed the visual function and flight simulator performance older adults divided into two groups: thirteen and twelve in bilateral multifocal and monofocal IOLs group respectively. Visual function assessment was performed using a series of standard and non-standard tests in the laboratory. Whereas in the flight simulator performance, each participant completed six randomised simulated approach and landing flights in a fixed-based flight simulator (PS 4.5) including a series of visual tasks critical for safety under the supervision of a qualified check captain.

Results:

The visual function in terms of photopic or mesopic distance visual acuity or contrast sensitivity, intermediate or near visual acuity was not significantly different (p<0.05) in both groups. The multifocal IOL group had significantly larger halo areas and reduced performance on the Mesotest, but unaided visual acuity at intermediate and near distances was significantly better. No significant differences were observed in the vision-related flight simulator tasks performance between the groups. Both exhibited less accuracy in reporting the colour of the PAPI lights in particularly under daytime conditions

Conclusions:

Performance of visually-related flight simulator tasks is not significantly impaired in multifocal compared to the monofocal IOL group. These preliminary findings suggest that multifocal IOL do not impair visual performance in a flight simulator; future studies should investigate target recognition in the external environment, preferably under real-world flying conditions.

Financial Disclosure:

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