Accession Number:

AD0600402

Title:

PHOTOSTRESS AND FLASH BLINDNESS IN AEROSPACE OPERATIONS

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

SCHOOL OF AEROSPACE MEDICINE BROOKS AFB TX

Personal Author(s):

• Severin, Sanford L.
• Alder, Albert V.
• Newton, Norris L.
• Culver, James F.

Report Date:

1963-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

14.0

Abstract:

The hazard of flash blindness to the success of an aerospace mission is well recognized. Until recently, there has been a paucity of information on the effects of short-duration, high-intensity light flashes on visual performance. The paper presents the results of several disturbance from this type of photostress. In these expanded and more comprehensive studies subjects have been exposed to bright flashes that illuminate the cornea with intensities up to 242,000 lux about twice the illumination that an unprotected astronaut would be exposed to on an earth orbit. An analysis was made of the effect of drug-induced miosis upon the time required for recovery. The relevance of the information derived from this work to problems of space and nuclear operations is mentioned, and the operational significance is implied.

Descriptors:

• *FLASHBLINDNESS
• AEROSPACE MEDICINE
• DRUGS
• HAZARDS
• PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• VISION

Subject Categories:

• Weapons Effects (Biological)

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE