The effect of a monocular helmet-mounted display on aircrew health: a 10-year prospective cohort study of Apache AH MK 1 pilots: study midpoint update

Abstract

A collaborative occupational health study has been undertaken by Headquarters Army Aviation, Middle Wallop, UK, and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Alabama, to determine if the use of the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) monocular helmet-mounted display (HMD) in the Apache AH Mk 1 attack helicopter has any long-term (10-year) effect on visual performance. The test methodology consists primarily of a detailed questionnaire and an annual battery of vision tests selected to capture changes in visual performance of Apache aviators over their flight career (with an emphasis on binocular visual function). Pilots using binocular night vision goggles serve as controls and undergo the same methodology. Currently, at the midpoint of the study, with the exception of a possible colour discrimination effect, there are no data indicating that the long-term use of the IHADSS monocular HMD results in negative effects on vision.

Head-mounted Displays in Ultrasound Scanning

“…Firstly, earlier studies related to head-mounted displays have indicated subjective visual strain symptoms in users (Häkkinen et al, 2004;Hiatt et al, 2002: Mon-Williams et al 1993Howarth & Costello, 1997), although other studies have suggested that the symptoms are similar to those when using an ordinary display (Peli, 1998;Rushton et al, 1994;Sheedy & Bergström, 2002). Secondly, an HMD might occlude parts of the visual field and thus make the performance of the scanning task more difficult.…”