Stereovision tests and its application in the physical examination for military pilots

Objective To review the conception and tests of stereovision and its application in clinical medicine and physical examinations for military pilots at home and abroad so as to provide theory basis of improving stereovision tests applying to military pilots. Literature resource and selection The related articles published at home and abroad. Literature quotation Forty published references were cited. Literature synthesis The concept, classification and examination tests of stereovision were reviewed. Tests for reading distance stereovision mainly included: Lang stereotest, Yan′s randot stereotests, Frisby stereotest, Randot stereotest, TNO stereotest and Titmus stereotest. The Howard-Dolman′s apparatus, synoptiscope, Distance Randot test and Frisby-Davis 2 distance stereotest were applied to long distance stereovision examination. Stereovision tests played a key role in the detection and effectiveness evaluation of various ophthalmological diseases, such as strabismus, amplyopia, ametropia, etc.. Besides, it was also applied in military medicine like selection and conventional physical examinations for military pilots at home and abroad. Conclusions The polarizing/red-green glasses that subjects wearing in most stereovision tests may disturb the brightness and definition of the stereographs, and further the clinical determination.. More effective stereovision tests should be developed with specification of physical examination in Chinese military pilot to provide powerful support for flight safety. Key words: Depth perception; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Physical examination; Personnel selection; Review