These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Contrast sensitivity: establishing normative data for use in screening prospective naval pilots.
    Author: Grimson JM, Schallhorn SC, Kaupp SE.
    Journal: Aviat Space Environ Med; 2002 Jan; 73(1):28-35. PubMed ID: 11817617.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Contrast sensitivity testing can be a useful supplement to standard visual acuity tests. Currently there are no standards for contrast sensitivity in military aviation. Student naval pilots, who often have better-than-average visual acuity, could be expected to have better-than-average contrast sensitivity. Any attempt to establish contrast sensitivity standards for military aviation should begin with establishing normative data, particularly data gathered from the military aviation community. HYPOTHESIS: Student naval pilots differ from the general military population on Small Letter Contrast Test measurements. METHODS: Contrast sensitivity was measured in a group of student naval pilots (n = 107) and compared with results from aviation and non-aviation personnel. The Small Letter Contrast Test (SLCT) was used (19). Other subjects consisted of student naval flight officers (n = 40), experienced naval pilots and flight officers (n = 35 and 86, respectively), enlisted aircrew (n = 175), and other military personnel tested before undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (n = 185). RESULTS: Data collected provide large-group demographic characteristics and normative values for contrast sensitivity measured with the SLCT. Of the non-aviation controls, 95% scored at least 0.62 (read at least 7 lines plus 2 of 10 letters on the 8th line of the chart), and 95% of the student pilots scored at least 0.81, (read at least 9 lines plus 1 letter on the 10th line). CONCLUSION: Student naval pilots scored significantly better on the SLCT than the military control population. The SLCT shows potential as a screening device during induction physical examinations of military pilots.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]