Four cases of pilots with retinal diseases and literature review

Abstract

Objective To investigate the invasion characteristics of retinal diseases, consultation experiences as well as medical assessment for pilots, and put forward the corresponding countermeasures. Methods Medical records of 4 retinal disease cases, which were diagnosed by Department of Aviation in the 153th Hospital of PLA from June 2009 to July 2014. Results ①Four male pilots (5 eyes) were diagnosed as three sorts of retinal diseases: 2 cases of central serous chorioretinopathy, 1 case of branch retinal vein occlusion, 1 case (2 eyes) of diabetic retinopathy. ②Except 1 pilot (2 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy, the rest pilots complained discomfort of eyes, such as decreased vision, blurred vision and visual distortion. They were hospitalized and drug treated as the retinal diseases were diagnosed by the examinations of fundus, visual field and optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography. ③In above 4 cases (5 eyes), 2 were central serous chorioretinopathy and pilots were qualified after the treatment and 3 months medical observation. The other 2 cases (3 eyes) were branch retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. They were qualified as they recovered. Conclusions The medical assessment of retinal disease should be done in accordance with the results of treatment and visual function test. After the cure of central serous chorioretinopathy, 1-3 months medical observation is suggested and the qualification would be issued if no recurrence and disturbed visual function were observed. The cured pilot who is free from branch retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy and with normal visual function would be qualified for flying. Key words: Fundus oculi; Retinal vein occlusion; Diabetic retinopathy; Eligibility determination; Central serous chorioretinopathy