Prevalence of spectacle and contact lens wear in the UK fire service

Abstract

Despite the fact that firefighting has been shown to be a visually demanding occupation, the present visual standards for firefighters prohibit the use of spectacles or contact lenses operationally. To determine the proportion of the UK fire service currently using spectacles and contact lenses, and how many may benefit from optical correction, a questionnaire was distributed. This contained 30 questions and was sent to 1550 firefighters. The data from 1064 returned questionnaires have been analysed. The results show that approximately 20% of those serving in the fire service have used an optical correction at some time in their lives. When not working, approximately 6% of firefighters wear spectacles for distance vision and 15% wear them for reading. Only 0.4% of firefighters use contact lenses. Half of this contact lens wearing group use their lenses while on operational duty. In total, approximately 2% of firefighters use an optical correction for operational duties. The results indicate that a high visual standard at the time of entry into an occupation cannot guarantee good vision throughout an individual's career. In addition, an estimated 11,000 firefighters in the UK, who have spectacles or contact lenses, do not use them for operational duties. The present visual standards prevent this group of firefighters from obtaining their optimal visual performance at work.

Use of Contact Lenses in an Industrial Environment

“…In 1988, the Agency published an enforcement procedure allowing the use of rigid gas-permeable and soft contact lenses in all workplaces and with all types of respirators. 9 Subsequent studies and review articles have confirmed the safety and efficacy of appropriate use of both soft contact lens and/or rigid gas permeable contact lens in the workplace, [10][11][12][13] and in fact the use of contact lenses for vision correction may be advantageous in the workplace.…”