  |
Publication AbstractsEjection From an Aircraft Following Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Case ReportDavid J. Tanzer, M.D., Steven C. Schallhorn, M.D., and Mitchell C. Brown, O.D.Aviat Space Environ Med 2000; 71:1057-9 AbstractA 32-yr-old active duty United States Navy Lieutenant Naval Flight Officer (NFO), 6 mo status post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in both eyes performed as part of the first protocol to evaluate laser refractive surgery in aviators, ejected from a Navy S-3B Viking aircraft while performing field carrier landing practice. Neither the pilot nor the NFO suffered physical consequences as a result of the ejection. Coincidentally, the NFO had been examined just 1 wk before the mishap and was noted to have uncorrected visual acuity of 20/16 in each eye. Examination 1 wk following the mishap could not detect a change in vision. The NFO's vision status and his post-PRK status was not listed as a causal factor in the mishap. While this case report will not settle the debate regarding the appropriateness of refractive surgery in aviators, it does provide anecdotal evidence to support the safety of PRK in the aviation community.Keywords: photorefractive keratectomy, refractive surgery, aviation, ejection. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 71, Number 10 of the ASME journal.
|
 |
 |