AIM: To survey civil aviator contrast sensitivity(CS)of different ages and analyze the characteristic of it in order to obtain the normal reference value.

METHODS: Four hundred eyes of 200 commissioned civil aviators from Civil Aviation General Hospital from September, 2013 to July, 2014 were randomly divided into four groups: group A(age 20～29), group B(age 30～39), group C(age 40～49), group D(age 50～59), and 50 people in each group(100 eyes). All of the eyes naked vision had to be ≥1.0, with no eye disease and associated systemic diseases. The CS of different spatial frequencies was measured with OPTEC 6500 under light and dark room.

RESULTS: The CS curves of groups were all presented with inverted U shape, and the CS was highest in intermediate frequency area(3.0c/d and 6.0c/d). Compared with that in the rest three groups, the values of CS at spatial frequency(6, 12 and 18c/d)under light room were decreased in group D, with statistical significance(P<0.01). Compared with that in the rest three groups, the values of CS at spatial frequency(1.5, 3 and 6c/d)under dark room were decreased in group D, with statistical significance(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: This survey objectively reflects the characteristics of civil aviator CS of different ages, and provides reference date for further study on civil aviator visual function characteristics and obtaining the normal reference value of civil aviator CS.