The Use Of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses In Pilots
Published 2024 - 42nd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO625 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/38tk-qf22
Authors: João Guilherme Ribeiro Mendes* 1 , Filomena J Ribeiro 2
1Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora,Évora,Portugal;Visual Sciences Research Centre, University of Lisbon,Lisboa,Portugal, 2Oftalmologia,Hospital da Luz Lisboa,Lisboa,Portugal;Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa,Lisboa,Portugal;Visual Sciences Research Centre, University of Lisbon,Lisboa,Portugal
Purpose
The selection of the appropriate intraocular lens in cataract surgery often raises questions for ophthalmologists, especially when the patient is a pilot. The incorrect choice of lens type or corrective capacity can affect the pilot's visual performance.
This work aims to draw attention to the specificities of cataract surgery in pilots, review recommendations from various aviation regulatory agencies, and provide guidance for pilots and ophthalmologists, with the goal of promoting updates to existing recommendations regarding the use of multifocal intraocular lenses in airline commercial and military pilots. This relevance is heightened by the increasing age of pilots and the rising retirement age.
Setting
A literature review of the various aviation regulatory agencies: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK-CAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), as well as bibliographic research was conducted.
Methods
A literature review of the various aviation regulatory agencies: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK-CAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), as well as bibliographic research was conducted.
Results
There are no unanimous recommendations regarding the use of multifocal intraocular lenses or the period of unfit assessment after cataract surgery. The use of multifocal intraocular lenses is allowed by some aviation regulatory agencies. Among the five regulatory agencies included in the review, three permit the use of multifocal intraocular lenses in airline commercial pilots. The European agency appears to be one of the more restrictive ones. The period of unfit assessment varies between six and twelve weeks.
A recent study showed no difference in performance in a flight simulator between pilots with multifocal intraocular lenses and pilots with monofocal intraocular lenses.
Conclusions
The use of multifocal intraocular lenses in aviation pilots remains a topic of discussion. There is no consensus among different regulatory agencies, with some being very permissive, leaving the decision to the patient and surgeon, and others being very restrictive, allowing only monofocal intraocular lenses.
Further studies regarding the use of multifocal intraocular lenses in aviation pilots are needed.