United States Department of Transportation
i
The Applicability of Commercial Glare Test Devices in the Aeromedical Certification of Pilot Applicants
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1994-08-01
[PDF-961.00 KB]
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Abstract:In his FY 92/93 Annual Program Guidance and Current Policy Statement, the Federal Air Surgeon requested continued investigation of new testing modalities, such as glare vision testing, as to their relevance to medical certification. Glare sensitivity is a normal age related physiological change depriving the human visual system of vital information. An instrument that can effectively detect and measure visual performance loss from glare in a clinical environment would be a valuable tool for an Aviation Medical Examiner evaluating pilot applicants.
This study evaluated several commercially available glare tests using factors of measured visual performance loss and relevant clinical features. Sixteen subjects (32 eyes) with normal ocular health were tested with a Brightness Acuity Tester (BAT), Penlight Test, MCT 8000, and a Miller Nadler Glare Tester to determine each instrument's ability to detect visual acuity changes under simulated glare conditions. In addition, individual glare testers were subjectively rated by examining personnel as to clinical features important for use in an aeromedical screening, such as cost, training and space requirements, ease of operation and scoring, etc.
Our results suggest that the BAT by Mentor O&O Inc., presented preferred test sensitivity and clinical features for use in screening glare disability. The other procedures either demonstrated an inability to detect visual acuity changes under simulated glare conditions or exhibited undesirable clinical features for use in aeromedical glare screening. These data may be used in evaluating future glare testers. Guidelines are provided for incorporating glare testing into the aeromedical certification process. Additional research is planned to identify specific glare problems in the aviation environment.
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