Citation

Capó-Aponte JE, Hilber DJ, Urosevich TG, Lattimore MR, Weaver JL. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 2013; 84(8): 814-822.

Affiliation

U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL, USA. jose.e.capoaponte.mil@mail.mil

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Aerospace Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23926656

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Army aircrew are required to operate under stressful conditions within a degraded visual environment. To gain an understanding of current eyewear mission needs, we surveyed aircrew regarding operational issues associated with the current U.S. Army-issue aircrew eyewear. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was completed by 976 U.S. Army aircrew personnel recruited through an invitational e-mail. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 34% reported wearing corrective lenses. Nearly 50% of them reported dissatisfaction with the HGU-4/P Aviator spectacles. The leading problems reported were discomfort (15%), "hot spots" around the ears (13%), and break of the earcup seal (11%). Nearly 41% of the respondents wore multifocal lenses and, of those, 16% reported that the HGU-4/P's restricted field of view (FOV) adversely affected duty performance. Of those who wore Modified HGU-4/P Apache spectacles, 79% had an unacceptable FOV with the helmet display unit. A similar number of aircrew modified the Apache eyewear to increase the FOV. In addition, wind and dust created eye discomfort or affected the vision of 46% of all respondents when performing flight duties. Over 82% expressed the need for an improved aircrew spectacles and 73% desired aviation-compatible protective eyewear. DISCUSSION: The current Army HGU-4/P Aviator and the Modified HGU-4/P Apache spectacles have significant operational deficiencies and compatibility issues. Such deficiencies have led to poor wear compliance and unauthorized modification of the Army-issue Aviator eyewear, posing readiness and safety issues. The results of this survey formally identify the need for military combat eye protection that is compatible with flight systems.

Language: en