Cataracts in airline pilots: prevalence and aeromedical considerations in Japan.

Introduction: Despite modern aviation being increasingly less dependent on human factors, the pilot is still part of the aircraft systems and vision is critical for flight safety. The incidence of cataract increases with age, but as most epidemiological studies focus on senior age groups, there is no data relevant to working age groups.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to elucidate the prevalence of lens opacity in Japanese airline pilots.

Medical status of airline pilots over 60 years of age: Japanese experience, 1991-2007.

Introduction: Since 1991, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau has allowed pilots over the age of 60 to continue flying for the airlines, subject to regular medical review. To date, we now have almost 18 yr of hands-on experience in the aeromedical assessment of senior pilots. This paper shares some of our findings.

A 10-year retrospective review of airline transport pilots aged 60 to 63 in Japan.

Background: On May 14, 1991, the Japanese Ministry of Transport issued an official notice allowing medically certified airline transport pilots aged 60 to 63 yr old (aged pilot) to work on non-scheduled flights. Since September 24, 1996, the official notice was revised to allow them to work on scheduled flights. The regulation requires pilots to pass both routine and additional aviation medical examinations.