Quality of Life Assessment Post Refractive Surgery in Aviators

To measure QoL outcome in post LASIK Aviators using the Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, cross-sectional study was carried out from Oct 2016 to Dec 2017. . The study included actively flying Indian pilots of both sexes, reporting for the annual medical fitness certification. QIRC which consists of 20 questions scored on 5 category response scale, is self-administered. Aviators were asked to rate on 5 point scale of agreement. Response was converted to Rasch weighted scores to give a true measure of refractive error related QoL. Results: This hospital based study was conducted on 39 Pilots who were administered Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire. 20 pilots were from civil airline pilots and 7 were Army Aviation and 2 were IAF pilot of transport stream. There were 3 female pilots all from the civil transport stream. Mean age 27.2 yrs ± 4.5 (21 to 37 yrs) who had myopia of more than- 0.50 D, ranging from -.75D TO 6.5 D before undergoing the refractive surgery procedure. Prior to surgery predominantly i.e.26 patients (66.6%) were spectacle wearer, 10 (25.6%) were contact lens wearer, 3 patients (7.69%) were not using any means of correction. All the patients were Post Lasik status of more than 1 year. This study showed a large improvement in QoL in the majority of patients after refractive surgery (PRK & LASIK). These large improvements are consistent with results in conventionally validated previous reports of refractive error related QoL as a result of surgery. In the POST LASIK study group spectacle correction was being used by 36% of patients with power ranging from –0.50D to – 1.50 D SE. Conclusion: LASIK is an excellent alternative to glasses or contact lens use, being associated with high degree of patient’s satisfaction. While LASIK is not without risks, these results are quite reassuring for all pilots thinking of this procedure. Laser system for vision correction like aircraft are continually being enhanced, improved and upgraded. We should embrace the technology and offer the best currently available to the aviators.