Distribution of amblyopia in medical examination for civil aviation aircrew recruitment and its aviation medicine identification

Objective To analyze the distribution of amblyopia in medical examination for civil aviation aircrew recruitment and its aviation medicine identification. Methods One hundred and sixty-eight subjects (cabin crew, security guard, aviation recruits pilots) with amblyopia were identified in our center for first aviation medical examination from October 2012 to October 2017.There were 77 males and 91 females with average age of (21.06±2.26) years (18-27 years old). The type and degree of amblyopia, binocular vision and the results of medical identification from all subjects with amblyopia were analyzed. Results Of the 168 subjects with amblyopia, there were 90 cases (53.57%) of ametropia amblyopia,40 cases (23.81%) of anisometropia amblyopia, 28 cases (16.67%) of strabismus amblyopia, 10 cases (5.95%) of form deprivation amblyopia. Mild amblyopia was found in 65 cases(38.69%), moderate amblyopia in 95 cases (56.55%) and severe amblyopia in 8 cases (4.76%). The abnormal rates of simultaneous perception, fusion vision, stereoscopic vision were 40.48%, 43.45% and 63.10%, respectively. The abnormal rates of stereopsis in ametropia, anisometropia, strabismus and form deprivation amblyopia were 54.44%, 65.00%, 78.57% and 90.00% respectively in different types of amblyopia patients (χ²=21.220, P=0.000). The abnormal rates of stereopsis in mild, moderate and severe amblyopia were 50.77%, 69.47%, 87.50% (χ²=7.947, P=0.017). Thirty cabin crews were qualified,and 60 cabin crews were not approved due to vision deficiency, strabismus, congenital cataract and corneal leukoplakia. Two security guards were qualified, and 18 security guards were not approved due to vision deficiency and strabismus. Fifty-eight cases of amblyopia in civil aviation students were all unqualified. Conclusion Stereopsis abnormalities frequently occur in amblyopic subjects, especially in form deprivation amblyopia and severe amblyopia. For the candidates of aircrew and pilots with amblyopia attended the fi rst aviation medical identification, the type, degree, pathogenic factors and occupation types of the amblyopia subjects are the key factors to assess whether it is qualified or not.