AIM: To investigate the prevalence on peripheral retinal degeneration and to provide theoretical support for the medical examination of civil aviation pilots recruitment.

METHODS: Two thousand four hundred and fifty prospective flight students(Four thousand nine hundred eyes)who received medical examination in Civil Aviation General Hospital from February 2018 to May 2019 were divided into three groups according to diopter after fully mydriatic with tropicamide phenylephrine eye drops(Group A: +3.00 to <-0.50D, Group B: -0.50 to <-3.00D, Group C: -3.00 to -4.50D). The prevalence of peripheral retinal degeneration in each eye was examined, and the results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS:There were five hundred and seventy five students with different types of peripheral retinal degeneration in 2 450 checked students, the prevalence was 23.5%. There was statistical difference in the prevalence of peripheral retinal degeneration in different diopter groups(χ²=65.386, P<0.01). There was statistical difference in the prevalence of different types of peripheral retinal degeneration(χ²=351.276, P<0.01). There was statistical difference in the prevalence of peripheral retinal degeneration in different parts(χ²=563.712, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Peripheral retinal degeneration is not rare in civil aviation recruitment. The prevalence increases with the progression of myopia, and the lesions are mostly in bitamporal quadrant. It is suggested to identify according to different types.