Refractive surgery policy and its effect on visual acuity qualification rates for the 2004 and 2011 Army ROTC flight applicant pools.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to ascertain the effect of recent U.S. Army Aviation corneal refractive surgery (CRS) policy changes on the size of flight school applicant pools by comparing statistics from the 2004 and 2011 Warrior Forge Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps training camps.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed using the United States Army Aeromedical Activity's Aeromedical Electronic Resource Online database.

RESULTS: Of the 607 applicants from 2004, 100 (16%) were disqualified for decreased visual acuity and had refractive errors correctable by CRS. Thirty-four cadets (6%) had prior CRS, and 21 qualified for flight school in 2004. Of the 625 applicants from 2011, 105 (17%) were disqualified for decreased visual acuity and had correctable refractive errors. Sixty-four applicants (10%) had prior CRS, and 54 subsequently qualified in 2011.

CONCLUSIONS: Changes to Army Aviation CRS policy over the last decade have been associated with an increased number of initial flight applicants who now meet visual acuity standards. However, only a small percentage is using this resource. Army Aviation has the potential to significantly widen its applicant pool if more candidates are made aware of accepted CRS techniques that can help them to meet rigorous vision standards.