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Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-93/11

Title and Subtitle: Aviation Accident Risk for Airmen with Aphakia and Artificial Lens Implant

Report Date: July 1993

Authors: Nakagawara, V.B.; Wood, K.J.

Abstract: Airmen with aphakia and intraocular (IOL) implants who on a case-by-case basis, may obtain a waiver for a medical certificate have been previously associated with higher aviation accident rates when compared to the total civil airman population. This study analyzes the accident frequencies of these civil airmen for a 4-year period (1982-95). Medical records were evaluated for all certified airmen who carried FAA-specific pathology codes for aphakia and artificial lens implants during the study period. Aviation accident and active airman population frequencies were obtained from FAA databases. The entire population of aphakia and IOL airmen and those 50 years of age had significantly higher (p .50) accident rates than the corresponding non-aphakic airman population. Aeromedical certification considerations of the study findings are discussed. Further investigations into additional confounding factors between the aphakic and non-aphakic populations are recommended.

Key Words: Vision; Aphakia; Lenst Intraocular; Medical Certification; Accidents.

No. of Pages: 16