PPL » Human Factors » Vision and Visual Perception
10.18 Vision and Visual Perception
Vision
One of the most important medical requirements for a pilot is to have good vision.
Good vision is crucial for pilots because it directly affects their ability to safely operate an aircraft.
Pilots must meet specified visual acuity requirements to obtain and maintain their pilot licence.
The Eye
The eye allows us to perceive the world around us by capturing light and converting it into electrical signals that the brain interprets as images.
The structures of the eye work together to:
- focus light;
- detect colour;
- adapt to different lighting conditions;
- perceive depth; and
- detect movement.
10.18.2 Identify the following eye structure components:
The main parts of the eye include the:
- cornea;
- iris;
- pupil;
- lens;
- retina; and
- optic nerve.
The Iris
The iris is the coloured part of the eye, located behind the cornea and in front of the lens.
It contains muscle fibres that expand or contract to control the size of the pupil.
The iris therefore regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
The Pupil
The pupil is the dark central opening in the iris.