The Committee on Vision is a standing committee of the National Research Council's Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. The committee provides analysis and advice on scientific issues and applied problems involving vision. It also attempts to stimulate the further development of visual science and to provide a forum in which basic and applied scientists, engineers, and clinicians can interact. Working groups of the committee study questions that may involve engineering and equipment, physiological and physical optics, neurophysiology, psychophysics, perception, environmental effects on vision, and treatment of visual disorders.

In order for the committee to perform its role effectively, it draws on experts from a wide range of scientific, engineering, and clinical disciplines. The members of this working group were chosen for their expertise in research related to ocular response to contemporary contact lenses and for their familiarity with the application of those research findings to the use of contact lenses in extreme environments.

This report summarizes present understanding of the scientific, clinical, and technological issues surrounding the use of contact lenses. Symposium participants discussed the special occupational conditions experienced by military personnel in the aerospace environment that give rise to the question of whether contact lenses should or should not be used. The proceedings of the symposium will serve as the basis for further deliberations by the working group.

The results of this symposium will be of particular interest to those involved in the design of contact lenses and those responsible for occupational safety and health matters in the private sector.

Suzanne McKee, Chair

Committee on Vision